Periodic Inspection and test for dist boards in industry
Periodic Inspection and test for dist boards in industry
(OP)
I have numerous small power and lighting distribution boards that have not had a P.I.T for at least 10 years. Guidance Note 3 of the 17th Edition IEE regs states a maximum of 5 years between inspections. Due to production issues it has been muted whether the inspections can be arranged to be carried out 6 yearly. Taking a judgement on this I believe that this would be ok,as long as we could justify a 6 yearly interval. What are your thoughts?






RE: Periodic Inspection and test for dist boards in industry
How comfortable would you feel defending a choice of 6 years rather than 5 years if it went to court? That's where things will end up if a fatality or serious injury occurred as a result of a fault in the board. Complying with BS 7671 isn't a legal requirement, but complying with the EAW Regs is; complying with BS7671 is one means of complying with the EAW Regs. If you choose to do things differently and there's a negative outcome then you might be asked to explain why you decided to do so by some very credible experts.
With all that said, it is a very different thing to aim for five yearly and miss the target date than to knowingly aim for six yearly (and probably miss the target date!) because once it is writing then it could be seen as a company inspection policy. A missed inspection date is probably easier to explain than a policy which doesn't match industry guidance.
Devices like RCDs and RCBOs typically have a recommended test interval for use of the 'test' button, and it certainly isn't on a six year interval. You might want to check that too.
----------------------------------
If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
RE: Periodic Inspection and test for dist boards in industry
I have already taken the decision to carry out Periodic Inspection and Test 4 yearly and your answer backed up my thoughts on the subject. I have been in court as an expert witness and I know that even the best electrical Engineer can get tied in knots when their judgements are not based on solid substance. Codes of Practice,HSE Guidelines and British standards,though not law,are put together by learned fellows and if you venture away from their guidance you have to have very good reason and justification to do so! Not I saved a few quid by extending the maintenance!!
RCD's and RCBO'S should be checked 13 weekly according to BS7671. At present these are not getting done at all never mind 13 weekly. I have arranged these tests to be carried out across the plant. Testing these every 13 weeks may prove difficult due to the circuits which they protect and it has been discussed if this period could be extended or we test on a representative sample basis so over a period of a year they all get tested. Again one could fall foul of 7671: and EAWR if an RCD Device fails to trip and someone is injured or worse killed if say,the testing period is not 13 weekly but yearly. I trust that you will agree with me on these issues.
RE: Periodic Inspection and test for dist boards in industry
Production's priorities over-ruling statutory requirements seems to be the norm in much of industry. I would not wish to be the electrical dutyholder responsible for ensuring compliance in an organisation which puts production ahead of legal obligations. So much for the "safety above production" soundbite which I seem to hear a lot from management types: they tend to ring a bit hollow when you're forced to fight against the same managment just to meet the company's legal obligations. I'm fortunate right now to be at a company who take safety very seriously indeed, which is just as well considering it is a Tier 1 COMAH site.
----------------------------------
If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!