Part P and 17th Edition stuff

[ben8vgte]

Hey all first up a little background information, I've started a new job installing industrial powered doors and access control type stuff. We do a fair bit of work for the council ect so they normally sort spurs, but not always as they don't always have the time. We were discussing maybe putting me on the Part P course with the 17th test as well, mostly so if asked we have a 'competent' person on hand to do the wiring side. It would be nice to be able to fit spurs, but its not the most important thing to cover we do have a registered guy who can out and sign off and certificate the work or get in a electrical contractor for more involved jobs.

It's just more to dot the i's and cross the t's so to speak, does that sound reasonable to the people in the know out there or would another course be a better option?

 

[madkayaker]

part P course is the minim qualification that a competent person scheme will except. providing you have a pulse and can pass the practical test (fairly sure my dog could) and the multi choise exam (think its open book) you will pass. you will then (or company) apply to a competent persion scheme (napit, niceic, corgi etc) then the will check paperwork, visit site to check work quality and you ability to test. and you in!

a word of advice refuse to "sign off" work that you havn't physically done or at least over seen as if there is a problem down the line its you in front of the jude as "competent" and thats a difficult position to be in i know of a couple of local lads that are currently serving time

 

[ben8vgte]

Indeed wise advice thanks, there are only 4 of us on site. But 2 including me that do any wiring, I think we will both be doing the course in the end. Most of what we do is very simple indeed, all the safety edges and control side are low voltage as well. Simply for the council jobs incase they ask.

It's the same as setting up the doors and safety under the CE machines directive, I as a installer can get in trouble if someone gets hurts by the door due the load sensing being wrong or safety not working properly.

 

[madkayaker]

a big firm that had ben trading since electric was invented got shut down about 5 years ago due to part P issue lost them a council contract. local to me the councils only except NICEIC. there is several useful guides on electrical safety council website about small scale works in properties with substandard earthing RCD protection etc. personally i would put in new circuit where possible should be doable as mostly the costumer unit is under stairs

 

[ben8vgte]

Ahhh very true, we do tend to get a new feed fitted, under the stairs in houses prehaps. Commercial could be anywhere! Normally the boiler room though it seems.

 

[madkayaker]

commercial is fine part P doesn't apply! Napit will cover you for a small amount of commercial work but they will expect you to start working towards full scope after a couple of years so thats NVQ etc which ca be fun if you only doing SFCU in FP or plastic pipe.

 

[ben8vgte]

Indeed, but if the company is willing to pay then it's all good in the long run

Lots to think about thanks.

 

[madkayaker]

when i was working at tech i had students trying to pass NVQ with less! when get to that bit easiest thin to do would be try to get work experience with a electrical firm that does industrial stuff a milk parlour installing firm would e better than nothing as they do swa, conduit 3ph etc.

 

[ben8vgte]

Yeah not a bad idea really, some of the big roller doors we do are 3ph anyhow. I must admit I like doing what I'm doing now, nice and varied really some woodwork, metal fabrication, electrical stuff and everything in-between and on top a really good company to work for. Cant ask for much more than that to be honest

 

[Dave3066]

the councils only except NICEIC.

Pretty sure they'll accept ECA members too.

 

[madkayaker]

If you read the rest of my post you will see local to me

 

[Robotstar5]

Some LABC's will put you on the approved list if you provide the right quals and you don't need to be a scam member!