Professional Electrician July/August 2021 by Hamerville Media Group

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TO EE FR DE RA ET TH

PROFESSIONAL

ELECTRICIAN THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE ELECTRICAL TRADE

& INSTALLER

JULY/AUGUST 2021

THE TIME AND THE PACE

ARE YOU KEEPING UP TO SPEED WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY?

INDUSTRY NEWS

NICEIC ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO ITS JOINING CRITERIA

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: TECHNICAL ADVICE | NEW PRODUCTS | CAUGHT ON CAMERA | PRIZE DRAWS AND MORE…

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Total Average Net Distribution: 68,683 Certification period 1 January 2020 - 31 December 2020

July/August 2021 Volume 37 No.7

Regulars 7

VIEWPOINT

NEWS

30 CODEBREAKERS 40 MADE 2 MEASURE 46 DR. ZZEUS 49 THE TRAINING GROUND NEW 70 PRODUCTS IN PRACTICE 79 CAPTAIN C-TEC 80 CAUGHT ON CAMERA

News & Views 19 How have electrical skills standards evolved over time? 22 Does our industry have the capacity to help meet those Net Zero targets?

Special Reports 25 What is the Common Assessment Standard (CAS) and how can it benefit your business?

How contractor feedback helped influence two significant product developments

Products & Business Solutions

Are you keeping pace with technology?

51 Why feedback is king when it comes to electrical industry solutions 56 The importance of keeping pace with new technologies and developments

26 We shine a light on how one company has helped to develop a future star in the boxing world

58 Emergency lighting systems: have you checked the battery?

Technical & Training

60 What building owners, operators and employers can do to make indoor spaces healthier

33 Surge Protection Devices – a risk assessment approach

63 Top tips for getting the most from your leak detection device

35 Should there be one common method for testing SPDs?

64 Why contractor considerations have helped influence two significant product launches

37 Investigating the PRS: what are the requirements? 43 Fire alarms in new builds – is BS 5839-6 being followed? 48 Understanding downstream positions of protective devices for fault protection

56 Prize Draws 29 WIN! Armeg and Nightsearcher goodies are up for grabs

29 WIN! Kasp Electrical Lockout Kits to be won

66 Do your customers need a security system upgrade? 69 Ten reasons why you should be using quality control cables 72 Rounding-up the latest products, tools and equipment to help you in your work

Leak detection devices: top tips

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@proelectrician

professionalelectrician

pe@hamerville.co.uk

Editor’s Viewpoint

Meet the team Editor RICHARD BOWLER email: pe@hamerville.co.uk Editorial Assistant PATRICK SWAN email: pswan@hamerville.co.uk Digital Manager REBECCA MCGEOCH email: rmcgeoch@hamerville.co.uk Advertisement Manager ANTHONY SCOTT email: ascott@hamerville.co.uk Assistant Advertisement Manager IAN TURNER email: ianturner@hamerville.co.uk Design ADEEL QADRI Production Assistant KERRI SMITH Group Production Manager CAROL PADGETT Distribution Manager KARL CLARK Managing Editor TERRY SMITH Printed by: WALSTEAD PETERBOROUGH Published by: HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF Tel: 01923 237799 Fax: 01923 246901 Email: pe@hamerville.co.uk PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN is the business journal for the electrical contracting industry. It is available to the trade at leading electrical wholesalers throughout the UK. © 2021

Subscriptions to PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN are available. Image References (Adobe Stock): Pg 14 Merchant delivery © Auremar Pg 19 Upwards direction © Rafzhan Pg 20 Consumer unit © Auremar Pg 22 Carbon reduction © Thodonal Pg 23 Solar install © Anatoliy_Gleb Pg 25 Handshake © DragonPics Pg 26 Boxing gloves © Alswart Pg 33 Lightning © JCPJR Pg 37 Investigate © XYZ+ Pg 38 Inspection © F – Pg 44 House plans © RawF8 Pg 58 Emergency exit © Zilvergolf Pg 75 Classroom © Sensay

Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF

Winds of change are coming I

t's been a really newsworthy month for the electrical industry, yet one story has set tongues wagging more than any other. Following last year's update to the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) – a document which essentially regulates the Certification Bodies and sets the criteria for verifying the technical competence of businesses – the industry's CPS providers will now be required to adjust their own entry criteria. One of the most significant changes to the NICEIC and ELECSA's application process, for example, will be that short courses (amongst other things) will no longer be accepted as 'forms of recognised education', thus blocking the path to CPS membership for those who have only undertaken a short-form or fast-track course. Sometimes you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't. The shop floor of the electrical industry has long demanded change with calls for a stricter form of self-regulation from those who are responsible for gatekeeping the industry, yet when steps have been taken to attempt to make this a reality the argument shifts to the fact that too many individuals have slipped the net already. As a publication, first and foremost we believe this is a step in the right direction for

the industry and will go some way to ensuring a higher level of competency comes through the pipeline for many years to come. The issue of how you deal with those that gained entry to the various schemes pre-criteria change (and thus would now not qualify) is one that will need to be addressed, but a more stringent inspection and renewals process, which will have proof of CPD (in whatever form) as one of its core elements, should eventually weed out the bad apples over time. We've got the full story on NICEIC's announcement on page 11, while NAPIT offers some really interesting insight and comment on the subject on pages 19 & 20. We'd love to put a meaty section of Letters into a forthcoming issue, dedicated to reader thoughts and questions on the subject, so please feel free to get in touch at: pe@hamerville.co.uk In the meantime, enjoy your summer and we'll see you again in September, along with (fingers crossed) the first live ELEX show since the pandemic arrived.

Richard B owler

BRYAN SHANNON It is with much sadness that we have to announce the recent passing of our publisher Bryan Shannon. In a career spanning more than 50 years it is no exaggeration to say that Bryan helped to change the established order of trade magazine publishing in the UK. His visionary ideas on distribution, utilising the trade counters of merchants and wholesalers, commitment to editorial excellence and market leading circulations quickly established the ‘Professional’ series of titles as essential reading for thousands of hands-on tradespeople. Today, the extensive portfolio includes highly regarded titles ranging from electricians and builders, to motor mechanics and hairdressers, plus the popular ELEX and Toolfair trade shows. As well as considerable magazine success, Bryan’s other great legacy is the wonderful opportunities afforded to legions of budding journalists and advertising sales representatives to cut their teeth at Hamerville Media Group, many of whom have gone on to run their own successful businesses within the sector. The iconic cockerel figurehead which he chose to reflect the importance of ‘being up first with the news’ will continue to have much to crow about in the years to come.

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news @proelectrician

For the latest electrical news visit www.professional-electrician.com

professionalelectrician

pe@hamerville.co.uk

Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF

"No more shortcuts" as NICEIC updates entry criteria

NICEIC and ELECSA have announced changes to their existing assessment processes and future enrolment criteria. The move responds to the 2020 update to the industry agreed Electrotechnical Assessment Specification, the document which all Certification Bodies (CBs) must adhere to when designing and conducting assessments to verify the technical competence of businesses. One of the most significant changes is seen in the new applicant process, which as of September 1st, will no longer accept short courses, auditable evidence, and certificates of competence as forms of recognised education*. In line with the 2020 EAS update, this change effectively closes ‘short course’ entry routes for new applicants. “The 2020 EAS update is a significant step forward for the entire industry”, said John O’Neill, NICEIC and ELECSA’s Director of Technical Excellence (pictured above). “For many years now, there have been calls from contractors and industry to tighten entry criteria, and today’s announcement does just that. “Moving forward, we will continue to focus on qualifications, experience, competence and behaviours as we assess our contractors, ensuring NICEIC and ELECSA registrants remain at the forefront of the industry, protecting consumers against the dangers of substandard electrical installations.”

Not exclusive to new applicants, existing NICEIC and ELECSA registrants will also see changes resulting from the EAS update. Following more stringent requirements, assessors will need to see more detailed evidence in areas such as ongoing CPD, adequate supervision of employed persons and appropriate levels of insurance, depending on the work undertaken. Designed to verify continued competence, full details of the enhanced requirements can be seen on the NICEIC website. Martyn Allen, Electrical Safety First’s Technical Director (pictured above), said: “We very much welcome the EAS update and are delighted to see NICEIC and ELECSA promoting these vital changes. “In industries such as ours, competence is key, and safety is paramount. The changes seen within this update are essential as collectively we strive to raise standards and protect consumers.” Created by a cross-industry management committee, the EAS update will impact the entire electrotechnical industry as all Certification and Registration bodies are required to implement the changes. ECA’s Technical Director, Mike Smith (pictured above, right), said: “It’s great to the see the electrical industry coming together under the EAS to agree higher standards within the Specification. ECA, alongside NICEIC, ELECSA and other Certification/Registration Bodies, are

committed to implementing change to drive improvement across the industry. “Electrical work is skilled and must be undertaken by qualified, competent contractors. The EAS document underpins how we as an industry assess this, and the update reflects our continued focus on improvement.”

THE KEY POINTS ● NICEIC and ELECSA amend

assessment protocols and future entry criteria in response to Electrotechnical Assessment Speciﬁcation (EAS) update. ● As of September 1st, new applicants will be required to meet new enhanced entry criteria, which no longer recognises ‘short course’ entry routes, including certiﬁcates of competence. ● Effective immediately, existing NICEIC and ELECSA registrants are required to provide additional evidence relating to CPD, supervision of employed persons and insurance levels during assessment visits. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT EAS AND HOW IT WILL IMPACT YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC001

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news

For the latest electrical news visit www.professional-electrician.com

Aico Gateway Kitemarked by BSI Aico is pleased to announce the official Kitemark certification of its SmartLINK Gateway from the British Standards Institution (BSI). This is a significant accolade as the SmartLINK Gateway is the first product of its kind to have third party certification. Aico’s innovative product provides access to real-time data insight into the status of the Smoke, Heat and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm systems across entire housing stock. Using its built-in GSM data connection, the Gateway utilises Aico’s next generation of wireless technology to report events including Fire/CO activations and alarm head removals as they happen to the SmartLINK cloud portal, for full visibility and remote monitoring. The SmartLINK Gateway has achieved the BSI Kitemark for Internet of Things (IoT) Commercial, a multi-faceted Kitemark that examines the product and associated system and process in its entirety. In the case of Aico’s Gateway, the BSI tested the connectivity and communications within the SmartLINK system, the associated mobile App and cloud portal, as well as the data encryption and security of the system. Findings

demonstrated that the SmartLINK Gateway stores data in a secure way and does not use weak encryption algorithms for communications, safety functions are maintained in the event of system failure and the system utilised OTA (Over the Air) updates with appropriate policy in place. The BSI Kitemark is a renowned mark of quality, demonstrating that a product has been thoroughly and rigorously assessed and proven to meet recognised industry standards. GET MORE DETAILS ON AICO'S SMARTLINK GATEWAY AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC002

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professionalelectrician

pe@hamerville.co.uk

Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF

Makita launches radio promotion Makita UK has announced a new redemption scheme for end-users to claim a free XGT ‘Bluetooth Jobsite Radio’ with the purchase of qualifying XGT products. Tough and durable, the radio is a perfect addition to the job site and is redeemable on purchases of qualifying XGT 40VMax or 80VMax products (2-battery models) with the suffix ‘GD201’, ‘GD202’, ‘GD203’, ‘GD204’ and ‘GD209’ through to 30th September. The Makita 40VMax XGT Bluetooth Radio is an excellent job site companion that is compatible with Makita XGT, LXT and CXT batteries, making it easy to slot into an existing family of Makita tools. The radio can access both AM and FM radio as well as Bluetooth that can play audio from a mobile device up to 10m away. It is built to withstand the demands of site work, and features elastomer bumpers to protect the radio from knocks and rough handling, while the robust IP65-rated design protects it from dust and showers. To claim the free 40VMax XGT Bluetooth Radio (MR002GZ01) via a dedicated microsite, customers will need to provide an invoice or receipt within 28 days of purchasing any of the qualifying products before 30th September. Once the application is conﬁrmed, their free gift will arrive within 30 days.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PROMOTION AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC003

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news @proelectrician

For the latest electrical news visit www.professional-electrician.com

professionalelectrician

pe@hamerville.co.uk

Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF

Material shortages: bodies warn members to plan ahead Increasingly long lead times for many products has prompted SELECT and ECA to issue a joint alert to members, warning them about extended delays and urging them to plan ahead and order early. The advice comes hot on the heels of a recent warning by BEAMA that demand was likely to outstrip supply for many months to come. The manufacturer’s trade association said a dramatic reduction in global steel production in the early days of the pandemic had led to severe shortages. It added that, since mid-2020, the call for the types of steel used in cable management products, along with other applications, has increased as businesses attempt to meet a growth in demand and complete unﬁnished projects. Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, said: “Any shortage of materials is an issue that will clearly affect all contractors, so it’s vital for everyone to plan ahead and take proactive measures now. “We join ECA in urging all members to keep abreast of any updates and recognise that this could well be an issue as the year develops. Ordering well in advance and factoring in for

potential shortages and rising costs will help if there is any ongoing disruption to the supply chain.” ECA CEO, Steve Bratt, said: “When planning a project, bear in mind the world has changed. Delays in availability of some materials is impacting on cost and completion time. “Our advice is to order the materials you need in good time to ensure you can ﬁnish as planned. We are in an evolving situation, so our member support (link) will keep you informed as and when things change.”

Retroﬁt lighting key to CO reductions A leading independent lighting manufacturer says retrofitting outdated lighting systems will be key to improving energy use across the public sector, as more local authorities commit to beefing up their net zero plans. Tamlite’s Head of Market Intelligence, Colin Lawson (pictured) says that whilst innovative technologies are at the forefront of plans to achieve these ambitious targets, more can be done, and there are simple measures that can be introduced by public sector organisations. Indeed, he believes many have forgotten the impact lighting can have on reducing carbon emissions and cutting energy bills. By replacing outdated lighting systems, coupled with intelligent control systems, it will help the public sector make their buildings more efficient.

He comments: “Local authority leaders are showing real commitment to achieving net zero targets ahead of 2050. And whilst many are looking towards new technologies as the core of their decarbonisation plans, we cannot forget the simple steps that can be taken to make sure carbon reduction targets are met." GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT TAMLITE'S RANGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC004

Niglon supports Electrical Industries Charity Niglon has teamed up with the electrical industry’s dedicated charity to support those impacted by a range of physical, emotional and financial issues. As such, the team will be donating 10% of the profits from all Median range products to the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC). The EIC has been running for more than 100 years, assisting individuals and their families affected by bereavement, redundancy, illness, and (more recently) the Coronavirus pandemic. Niglon’s Commercial Director, Paul Dawson, said: “The past 18 months has been incredibly tough for all of us, so we wanted to find a way to support our peers and colleagues in the industry. “We’re proud to partner with the EIC and will be coming up with various ways to support them in the long-term. They undertake fantastic work and make a real difference with financial, practical and emotional support." 14 July/August 2021 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

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COMMENT

ARE WE MAKING PROGRESS WITH STANDARDS?

David Cowburn, Chief Operating Officer at NAPIT, reﬂects on the progress made by the electrical industry to enhance electrical safety standards over the past decade, including the Electrotechnical Assessment Speciﬁcation (EAS), and considers the issues which remain unresolved.

t doesn’t seem long ago that I was sat in front of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee answering questions about Electrical Competent Person Schemes, the impact of Part P, enforcement and consumer awareness, to assist with their inquiry in 2013-14 into “Building Regulations certiﬁcation of domestic electrical work”. Looking back, a lot has changed since then, and although many of the recommendations from the Inquiry were for the government, the electrical industry has taken major steps to make improvements to safety standards in the sector. One of the main focuses of the Inquiry, was the lack of public awareness around Part P of the Building Regulations, and the confusion caused by multiple Competent Person Scheme Operators. The Committee called for the industry to unite and produce one consumer facing brand and register for all registered electricians

to use and be listed on. It was following this recommendation that ‘Registered Competent Person Electrical’ (RCPE) was created. The single mark and register aims to raise awareness of electrical safety in the home by simplifying the task of ﬁnding and checking a competent, registered electrician. Industry updates It was updated in 2020 to provide a differentiated search for those looking for an electrical company registered to carry out electrical installation work or to undertake an electrical safety report, in support of the introduction of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. Also, to support these Regulations, the industry moved to update the Electrotechnical Assessment Speciﬁcation (EAS) to introduce the minimum technical competence criteria required for carrying out Periodic Electrical Inspection and Testing.

The update provided a consistent standard upon which the assessment of competence is undertaken for those who wish to be registered to carry out electrical inspection and testing, creating a common approach to enhance standards. Importantly this focussed on the individual carrying out the inspection and testing work, not their qualified supervisor. The EAS is intended for use by Certification and Registration Bodies undertaking the Assessment of Enterprises carrying out Electrotechnical work. It sets out the minimum requirements to be met by an Enterprise and the individuals working for that enterprise, in order to be recognised by a Certification or Registration Body as technically competent to undertake the design, construction, maintenance, verification and/or inspection and testing of electrical installations. It currently serves as the Minimum

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COMMENT

Technical Competency Document upon which MHCLG authorise Electrical Competent Person Schemes to operate and sets the benchmark for the sector. Although not particularly well known, it is the key document the industry can use to enhance safety standards and create positive change. Risk-based requirements Since the Communities and Local Government Select Committee Inquiry, the EAS has been updated twice to overcome many of the issues raised. The 2015 version introduced a requirement for electrical contractors to hold an up-to-date qualification within two years of a change to the wiring regulations. This version also introduced specific risk-based requirements, clearly outlining the extent of on-site involvement needed by the responsible person throughout the duration of electrical installation work, to mitigate the risk highlighted by the Inquiry of the person undertaking work in people’s home not being adequately qualified or supervised, since Enterprises are registered rather than individuals. The 2020 version of the EAS, published in January 2020, built on these changes to require registered companies to demonstrate the competence of their employed persons, including temporary, agency and sub-contracted labour. This includes the provision for the assessment of individual competence that has been the underpinning principle of the NAPIT Scheme from its conception. Further to this, from September 2021, only full qualifications will be accepted for applicants to Electrical Competent Person Schemes, removing the auditable evidence route which was often criticised as allowing short cuts for gaining entry. This demonstrates a significant step change for the industry and shows a clear commitment to continued improvement. This hasn’t neglected those with experience, as the recognised qualifications available include approaches for using such experience to achieve a suitable qualification.

At the time of writing, the MHCLG are reviewing the competence criteria used within authorised schemes and the EAS will continue to evolve to accommodate these. There are particular concerns working in high-risk buildings (such as tower blocks) and the new technologies needed to deliver government’s environmental initiatives, such as electrical work underpinning renewable technologies and electric vehicle charge points to name but a few. Proving competence This diversity of competence requirements falling on specific individuals within the industry brings increasing emphasis on individual competence, where competence is demonstrated by a combination of qualifications and regular assessment within a regulated third-party certification scheme. It is, however, important to remember that there is no legal requirement for electricians to be registered with a Competent Person Scheme, and so whilst we can, and will, continue to push for

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enhanced standards, the option remains for consumers to, perfectly legally, use unregistered electrical installers who are not required to meet the conditions set by the EAS. Reflecting on one of the core recommendations from the Inquiry, for the government to put in place arrangements to incentivise and assist local authorities to strengthen the enforcement of Part P, we reiterate this recommendation and ask that enforcement needs to be addressed. Whilst there are examples of great work going on within the industry to help understand and quantify the extent of the safety risk posed by unsafe and non-compliant electrical installations in dwellings throughout the UK, through the creation of a reporting form, led by the Electrical Safety Roundtable and TrustMark, it is up to the government to create real change in the enforcement landscape. VIEW THE CURRENT AND PREVIOUS VERSIONS OF THE EAS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC005

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COMMENT

NET ZERO:

HOW CAN OUR INDUSTRY HELP? Luke Osborne, ECA Energy and Emerging Technologies Solutions Advisor, looks at why the electrical industry needs to focus on 'upskilling' if the government is to reach those ambitious Net Zero Carbon targets.

vidence shows we have little time to mitigate the ongoing impacts of global warming. As such, ECA is focused on supporting the electrical and wider engineering service sector’s delivery of ‘active’ technologies and skills to help attain the UK’s Net Zero Carbon 2050 target. ‘Active’ technologies include the full range of equipment and systems that provide ‘low to no carbon’ energy solutions. They include solar and wind energy, heat pumps, EV charging, energy storage, and other smart, monitoring and wireless systems. They're distinct from ‘passive’ energy solutions such as insulation. To this end, ECA recently partnered with TESP, BESA, the Renewable Energy Association and Solar Energy UK (formerly the Solar Trade Association) to produce the Skills4Climate industry report, examining ways to ensure our sector has the required skills base. The report gives voice to the views and experiences of nearly 150 electrotechnical

businesses, ranging from microbusinesses to those with over 500 employees, and the results are already helping to map the way forward for our sector. Where are the workers? There was overwhelming survey support for a ‘low to no carbon’ UK economic recovery following the pandemic, but the report also showed that a quarter (25%) of respondents would struggle to ﬁnd workers with the necessary ‘green’ skills to help deliver it. Speaking about the report, Andrew Eldred, ECA’s Director of Employment & Skills, said: “Despite a powerful consensus in favour of transition to a low carbon economy, skills policy and delivery in this area remains sub-optimal, with insufficient engineering services sector input and buy-in”. Renewable energy, heat pumps, electric vehicle charging, smart systems and energy storage all require specialist design and installation skills, and almost half of respondents (48%) believe there is ‘insufficient training’ to enable

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installers to deliver all these low carbon technologies. Yet with a suitably skilled workforce, many more engineering services businesses can pivot successfully into these technologies, as is already happening in the growing arena of EV charging. Other low carbon technologies, such as heat pumps, are also being lined up. Respondents also pointed to too many disjointed training offerings and standalone short courses, causing confusion, mismatched standards and undermining sector conﬁdence in what to do next. To make signiﬁcant progress in regards to low carbon skills, government, industry and education providers need to work together to deliver a joined-up nationwide training programme. Andrew added: “A more inclusive and strategic approach is required to encourage more engineering services employers to upskill their current workforce to deliver a low carbon revolution, and to recruit and train the next cohort of school leavers for secure and meaningful careers for the future.”

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A re-skilling agenda ECA is a member body of the engineering services alliance, Actuate UK, which is now considering the Skills4Carbon report. Supporting the Actuate UK launch event earlier this year, David Pinder, Chair

of the CLC Green Construction Board, told launch attendees: “I’m pleased to see Actuate UK concentrating not just on new zero carbon, but also on skills development. I believe that delivering on net zero will rely more on developing

essential green skills than on further developing the technology, and progress must include both new and re-skilling.” So, it seems everyone agrees that low carbon installations need a suitably trained and competent workforce, with practically useful and properly scoped training for new sector entrants, notably in the form of apprenticeships, and optimised upskilling activity for the larger cohorts of existing installers. Arguably, despite all the many challenges facing electrical and other engineering services businesses (as well as society in general), there's never been a more exciting time to be a part of the electrotechnical industry, nor a time that requires such urgency to develop the necessary skills to help decarbonise the UK. GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT ECA'S NET ZERO POLICY POSITION BY VISITING: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC006

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SPECIAL REPORT

MAKING COMMON SENSE

In this article we learn more about the Common Assessment Standard and the five key things you need to know.

aunched by Build UK with the support of CECA in 2019, the Common Assessment Standard has fast become the construction industry’s gold standard for pre-qualification. The scheme replaces a complex and repetitive PQ system that involved multiple assessment schemes with one comprehensive industry-agreed questionnaire. The new assessment is based on existing pre-qualification questionnaires, including PAS 91, but has been designed to help the industry manage risk across a wider range of criteria such as sustainability, modern slavery and financial performance. The rollout of a new data-sharing agreement between the Common Assessment Standard’s three recognised providers in March of this year means the benefits of qualifying for and specifying the scheme are greater than ever. Here’s what you need to know:

1. You only have to take one assessment annually The Common Assessment Standard’s new data-sharing agreement means the details of everyone who passes the assessment can be accessed via any of the scheme’s providers, regardless of which assessment body carries out the audit.

This means contractors only need to complete the Common Assessment Standard once a year with their chosen assessment provider (such as CHAS) to qualify for a wide range of work, rather than having to sign up to multiple schemes. 2. The Standard opens up new employment opportunities Balfour Beatty, Costain, the HS2 joint venture partners, Mace, Multiplex and Skanska are already specifying, or set to adopt, the Common Assessment Standard, and that list is likely to grow with the introduction of the data sharing agreement. The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) also requires that contractors appointed to its seven-year framework assess their supply chains using the Common Assessment Standard, and it is expected to feature in the details of the government’s new Construction Playbook. The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) also supports the scheme. 3. There are multiple business benefits Contractors who take the Common Assessment Standard will find they qualify for numerous additional business benefits. For example, those undertaking the assessment with CHAS receive benefits such as access to e-learning resources, discounted fuel and shopping schemes and business insurance.

4. The Standard is suitable for SMEs There are two levels of certification: desktop and site-based. Companies apply to a Recognised Assessment Body for the certification level that is most appropriate for their business based on a range of factors including trade, size and the requirements of their clients. For companies that employ fewer than ten employees and have a turnover below £1.8 million or a balance sheet total less than £1.8 million, the assessment standards will be applied in a proportionate way. 5. You can work towards the Common Assessment Standard Some of the risk management criteria covered by the Common Assessment Standard will be new for many businesses. CHAS is committed to helping contractors build on their compliance level so those contractors who are not yet ready to complete the Common Assessment Standard can work towards higher levels of accreditation in the future, building their competence and their business. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT QUALIFYING FOR, OR SPECIFYING, THE COMMON ASSESSMENT STANDARD AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC007

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SPECIAL REPORT

BOXING CLEVER

We discover more about how Integral LED is helping to shine the light on one of Britain's top boxing talents.

he British boxing scene has never looked so exciting. World-beating bruisers Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua continue to dominate the heavyweight division, with eyes on arguably the biggest super fight in the history of British boxing. Not far behind, a litany of exciting, hungry boxers are setting their eyes on world domination up and down the weight divisions in what could be seen as a golden age for the sport in Britain. An Integral sponsorship One talent who has his eyes set on competing at the highest level is twenty-three year old Nottingham born Calum Reece. After moving to Spain at a young age, Calum has since returned to the UK and is rising up the ranks. With sponsorship from British lighting company Integral LED, that goal has become even more achievable. A lighting company specialising in the manufacture of LEDs, including lamps, downlights, panels, strips and luminaires, Integral LED was established in 2013 as a

brand of Integral Memory. Calum’s father, an employee of Integral LED, approached the company to enquire about a possible sponsorship and Integral was soon announced as the fledgling boxer's first ever sponsor. An early obsession Calum’s passion for boxing was sparked at a young age, as he recalls: “I started boxing when I was ten, at a British boxing club in the basement of a bar in Torrevieja, Spain. “After a couple of years training there I realised it was a sport I wanted to progress in so I looked for better quality training, which I found with Spanish trainer Alberto Gonzalez, alongside former world champion Kiko Martinez, whom I sparred at the age of 12. “Two years later I returned to England where I joined a local ABC and had some successful amateur bouts.” After turning 18, Calum then ventured into the world of unlicensed boxing at venues such as night clubs, and it was at this point that the sponsorship from Integral LED was secured.

26 July/August 2021 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

“Integral has supported me in every aspect of my chosen career – from training gear to sponsored ring wear”, Calum says. “I went on to fight at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham in front of a crowd of 5,000 on the undercard of Lee Froch. “Now I've signed a pro contract, the support from the company is still as strong as it ever was.” Calum has no plans on stopping there as he aims to compete for a British title in the not-too-distant future. He states: “I'd like between eight and ten pro fights in the next two years before targeting a British title, with the ambition to one day become world champion.” “Thanks to Integral I’ve been able to dedicate all my time and energy to pursuing boxing as a full-time career which, in turn, enabled me to turn pro. I have a great working relationship with the Directors, and I'm grateful for the fact they've backed me all the way.” VIEW THE LATEST INTEGRAL LED LIGHTING BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC008

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S Y A W ] A E V I G [ ARMEG

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esigned to offer professional electricians the very best solution for safe energy isolation, Kasp Electrical Lockout Kits are essential for electrical contractors working in domestic and industrial environments. Now required to be carried by law, Lockout/Tagout relies on quality products for safeguarding personnel, when important electrical maintenance work is being carried out. As a trusted and popular brand in this area Kasp Lockout products are no exception, with features and beneﬁts designed for safe working conditions. Available to win in this competition, the Kasp Essential Lockout Kit (K81100) is a unique MCB lockout kit with all the essential items needed to lock off one mini circuit breaker. A handy carabiner holds the kit together when not in use and, when in use, keeps the padlock keys safe. Contents of the Essential Lockout Kit include: Easiﬁt MCB Lockout, brass padlock (25mm), danger/identity tag, and a carabiner to secure the kit. A must-have safety product for electricians, the Kasp Essential Lockout Kit offers a great choice of safety equipment, all in convenient kit form.

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THE

CODEBREAKERS CRAIG DUNN: THIS WAS FOUND DURING AN EICR OF A HOUSING ASSOCIATION CONTRACT. WHEN TESTING THE RING CONTINUITY, I WAS GETTING AN OPEN CPC READING AND UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE OTHER SOCKETS I FOUND THAT THE CONDUCTORS HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. Something that’s often overlooked at either the design, installation, initial verification, or periodic inspection stages is the external influences. When I say 'external influences', I'm referring to those which are often overlooked as they're not seen to be an issue. External influences that should be considered at design, and any inspection (especially periodic inspections), are the influences of: ● ● ● ●

Damp Vapour Humidity Unforeseen corrosive atmospheres

Where dampness in an installation, vapour, or humidity are not addressed, they can significantly impair or damage the integrity of an electrical installation. Most electricians in a coastal town will tell you that properties close to the seafront that may not have damp issues will at some point show signs of corrosion through the salt air. In more severe cases, galvanised back boxes,

conduit and copper can be almost turned to dust in a matter of months. Likewise, anyone having worked around swimming pools will, I'm sure, have taken accessories apart to find a pile of green dust, where the copper conductors once were, due to the corrosive nature of the products used to keep the pool water safe to swim in. Even though much of the metal containment we use is galvanised, it won't last long in certain conditions. Given the picture provided, it's clear to see there is a damp issue of some kind, and the cpc has completely corroded. Other copper components of this electrical system will also need to be checked for integrity and continuity. It's more than likely that partial or complete re-wiring will be needed, but from an EICR perspective, any report should identify that the environment will need to be considered. Specific attention to damp, humidity, ventilation, and corrosive atmospheres will be required before the type of wiring system and accessories are chosen for any remedial works.

The Observations, Regulation infringements and Codes applicable to this observation would be.

Circuit CPC corroded and not connected.

131.2.2, 132.5.1, 133.3, 411.3.1.1, 651.2 (v)

Whole installation accessories may need an inspection for the presence of damp.

132.5.1, 522.3, 522.5

External influence not taken account of for wiring system integrity.

132.5.1, 133.3, 522.3, 522.5

Installation/building requires damp, humidity, ventilation, and corrosive atmosphere survey and possible building structural repair or upgrade prior to any remedial electrical work.

133.3, 522.3, 522.5

GET THE BOOK AND CRACK THOSE CODES!

Updated for BS 7671:2018, NAPIT’s EICR Codebreakers publication is purpose-written to aid contractors, inspectors and clients, and now includes updates to align with the 18th Edition of the wiring regulations. A 2018 Professional Electrician & Installer ‘Top Product’ award winner, the book is the perfect technical aid for electrical professionals and their customers.

30 July/August 2021 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

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Need help with cracking those all-important EICR codes? Every month the technical team at NAPIT will be studying your latest ‘Caught on Camera’ photos and offering advice on the next steps, should you find a similar installation. If you want the team at NAPIT to help crack your codes then send your pictures through to us at: pe@hamerville.co.uk

PHILLIP FOSTER: I WAS CALLED OUT RECENTLY TO A CLIENT SAYING SHE HAD SOME WORK DONE AND SINCE THEN THE LIGHT HAD BEEN REALLY DULL. SHE HAD TRIED TO CONTACT THE “ELECTRICIAN” BUT TO NO AVAIL! IMAGINE SEEING THIS WHEN I TOOK THE COVER OFF... So often, we state that work must only be carried out by a person with the relevant skills, qualifications and experience to make them competent for a particular task. Quite clearly we can see what happens when those three fundamental requirements have not been applied. I have to say that I thought I'd seen it all before this submission, but I'll admit to never having seen someone install the control tray of an emergency light fitting back to front in its housing. The most basic instruction is to follow the manufacturer's guidance, Regulation 510.3, when putting together the equipment to comply with Regulation 134.1.2. So, I'm lost for words here, unless the client was looking for a light fitting that gave a nod to the 1980's movie Tron. The green LED tell-tale is evidently operational and a giveaway to identify the fitting as an emergency device. As an emergency light fitting, it needs to comply with the installation requirements of BS 5266. This also means there may be a minimum Lux level required for the type of installation and its use. Where emergency light fittings are covered by BS 5266, there’s a separate requirement for commissioning and periodic inspection, which are likely to cover:

● ● ● ● ●

Positioning Power supply Maintenance Testing Effective operational time in the event of an emergency ● Lux (in some cases) Given the installer has fitted the control tray back to front, there is a potential for the cabling to be subject to heat or mechanical damage, Regulation 559.5.2, and it's likely the correct BS 5266 commissioning paperwork and tests have not been issued or carried out. Although not strictly a BS 7671 issue, the use of manufacturers' instructions and correct installation are what we can code against. What we can't code against in a BS 7671 EICR is the possible infringement of BS 5266, which may also infringe other legislation, depending on the location. Where observations are not the remit of BS 7671, the inspector can only note down an observation and inform the client accordingly. In this case, the observation may be to have a specialist BS 5266 inspection carried out. As a BS 7671 Regulation and code cannot be given, 'N/A' should be used, as the observation, in this case, is only an explanatory note for the client.

The Observations, Regulation infringements and Codes applicable to this observation would be. Emergency light fitting not fitted in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. $ontrol gear fitted back to front, greatly reducing lux level.

134.1.1, 134.1.2, 510,3

Incorrect fixing of light fitting, impairing the installation safety.

559.5.2

The emergency light fitting is not fitted correctly and is likely to require inspection in accordance with BS 5266 to confirm correct operation. Other Legislation may also affect the installation criteria.

N/A

The 18th Edition Codebreakers publication is priced at £17.99* (members) or £19.99* (non-members). Hard copies and digital issues are available. * Prices exclude VAT, postage and packaging

ORDER YOUR COPY OF NAPIT CODEBREAKERS BY VISITING: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC012

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

SURGE PROTECTION DEVICES – A RISK ASSESSMENT APPROACH

The team at NICEIC & ELECSA take a look at the risk assessment approach given in Regulation 443.5 of BS 7671, to determine whether surge protection devices (SPDs) should be installed.

ublication of the 18th Edition of BS 7671 saw a number of important changes in respect of overvoltage protection and selection of SPDs. Regulation 443.4 requires that protection against transient overvoltages shall be provided where such over-voltage occurrences could result in: ● ●

●

serious injury to, or loss of, human life; interruption of public services and/or damage to cultural heritage; interruption of commercial or industrial activity; or where a large number of individuals at the same location could be affected.

For all other cases, a risk assessment according to Regulation 443.5 should be performed in order to determine whether protection against transient overvoltage is required. If the risk assessment is not performed, the electrical installation should be provided with protection against transient overvoltage. An exception to performing a risk assessment is for single dwelling units where it is considered that the total value of the installation and equipment therein does not justify such protection. Any such decision should be based on discussions between the installer and client. Transient overvoltages due to switching

tend to have lower amplitude but a longer duration than those overvoltages of atmospheric origin. Where SPDs are installed to provide protection against overvoltages of atmospheric origin, they will generally meet the requirements for transient overvoltages due to high speed switching. Details of such devices and how they are ﬁtted are given in Section 534 of BS 7671. Risk assessment The assessment and management of risk is now signiﬁcantly more in-depth and extensive than the approach used in earlier editions of BS 7671, and is only

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Fig 2. Line diagram showing the make-up of supply cables to a typical premises

Fig 1. Outline of the UK showing the approximate number of lightning flashes per km2

used when the requirements of Regulation 443.4 do not apply. The risk assessment calculation is based upon a formula that uses environmental values that are given in Table 443.1 of BS 7671 which is reproduced as Table 1, and on values relating to geographical locations shown in Fig 1, which is a map of the UK showing the typical number of lightning ﬂashes per km2. The values shown in Table 1 and the distribution network cable lengths up to the origin of the installation as shown in Fig 2 are used in the equation given in Regulation 443.5 to determine the calculated risk level (CRL). Where: LPAH – length (km) of high voltage overhead line LPCH – length (km) of high voltage underground cable LPCL – length (km) of low voltage underground cable LPAL – length (km) of low voltage overhead line CRL = L f env where LP = 2LPAL + LPCL + 0.4LPAH + 0.2LPCH (km) xN p

If the calculated risk level is less than 1 000, protection against transient overvoltage of atmospheric origin is required. Conversely, where the calculation gives a CRL value equal to or above 1 000, such protection is not required.

This method of risk assessment relies on the designer having knowledge of, or having access to, the lengths of supply cable from the surge arrestor on the distribution network up to the origin of the installation. Where the distribution network cable lengths are unknown or only partially known, then LP shall not exceed 1 km, or the distance from the networks overvoltage surge arrestor to the origin of the electrical installation – whichever is the lesser. Examples 1. Would it be necessary to install SPDs at a warehouse situated in an urban area where the ﬂash density is 0.8 and the supply is made up of the lengths shown below? LPAH = 0.1 km of high voltage overhead line LPCH = 0.6 km of high voltage underground cable LPCL = 0.3 km of low voltage underground cable LP = 2 LPAL + LPCL + 0.4 LPAH + 0.2 LPCH = 0+0.3 + (0.4 x 0.1) + (0.2 x 0.6) = 0.46 km 850 CRL = Lpf env = 0.46x0.8 ≈ 2310 xNg

This result being greater than 1 000 indicates that SPDs are not required. 2. Would it be necessary to install SPDs at a village primary school situated in a rural area where the ﬂash density is 0.3 and the supply is made up of the following lengths? LPAH = 0.1 km of high voltage overhead line LPCH = 0.2 km of high voltage underground cable LPCL = 0.1 km of low voltage underground cable

34 July/August 2021 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

LPAL = 0.6 km of low voltage overhead line LP = 2 LPAL + LPCL + 0.4 LPAH + 0.2 LPCH = (2 x 0.6) + 0.1 + (0.4 x 0.1) + (0.2 x 0.2) = 1.38 km CRL = Lfpenv = xNg

1.38x 0.3

≈ 205

This result being less than 1 000 requires SPDs to be ﬁtted. This would appear reasonable considering the type and occupancy of the building and equipment likely to be found therein. The effect of the geographical location and hence the flash density has an impact on the outcome of the calculated risk level. However, the signiﬁcant part of the equation is dependent upon the make-up of the supply cabling and whether there is sufficient length of run following a lightning strike for the overvoltage to be attenuated. Summary There may be some confusion regarding the installation of SPDs. However, with the introduction of the 18th Edition, the decision to install SPDs or go through the risk assessment process is something contractors will need to consider when designing new installations or carrying out significant alterations in existing ones. Where a risk assessment has been carried out to determine that SPDs do not need to be installed, such paperwork should be appended to the Electrical Installation Certificate or handed to the client along with other commissioning documents. GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT NICEIC REGISTRATION AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC013

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

Testing a surge protection device with a ramping insulation test.

SPD TESTING: IS THERE AN ACCEPTED METHOD?

With Surge Protection Devices (SPD) becoming increasingly common in installations it is surely time that there was an accepted test to confirm their efficacy,” says Brendan Beaver, Manager of Metrel UK. “The manufacturers will often say that they're 100% tested before they leave the factory, but it is not hugely reassuring to the installer whose insurance takes on liability once they supply and install the SPD. “Furthermore, we know they deteriorate with repeated overvoltage episodes; so how should it be tested as it ages?” He continues: “Rather than buying one of the complex testers the SPD industry sells, contractors are going to want an additional function on their existing tester. “Metrel multi-function testers have long offered a ramp facility on the insulation test which gives the ability to test varistors and some SPDs in the field. “Maybe it's time that the powers that be recommend a test protocol which could be incorporated in all MFTs!” VIEW METREL'S 2021 TEST INSTRUMENT APPLICATION CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC014

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

NAPIT's Chief Technical Officer, Frank Bertie, investigates the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations and the application of them against BS 7671:2018.

INVESTIGATING

THE PRS

rom campaigning for mandatory electrical safety checks in the Private Rented Sector (PRS), to the introduction of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, known as the PRS Regulations, on the 1st June 2020, there has since been a learning process for all organisations involved in electrical safety in this area. It is important to remind ourselves of the two principal dates:

Electrical safety in the PRS The reason for the introduction of the Regulations is well understood and accepted. Tenants should be safe from risks caused by the electrical installation in their home. Previous requirements on how landlords should demonstrate the safety of the electrical installation within their property were unclear. Part 2 of the PRS Regulations lays out the duties of the private landlords in relation to the electrical installations and places the following requirements on the landlord to:

● 1st July 2020, which brought in the

● Ensure the electrical safety standards are

requirement for all new specified tenancies. ● 1st April 2021, which brought in the requirements for all existing specified tenancies. Landlords and letting agents have had to come to terms with the requirements since the introduction of the PRS Regulations for new tenancies, and have worked hard to bring the remaining properties into line with the 1st April 2021 deadline. The introduction of the PRS Regulations was a much-welcomed step to increase the electrical safety of England’s private tenants, especially with the ever increasing demand for properties in this sector.

BS 7671 Wiring Regulations There are several areas that have been widely debated since the introduction of the PRS Regulations, many of them are in relation to the ‘Electrical Safety Standard’ (ESS) being met during the tenancy period. The ESS is defined in the PRS Regulations as the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations. This has led to the incorrect assumption that the electrical installation must comply to this version of the Wiring Regulations. BS 7671:2018 has two areas where the implications of a new version of the standard

met during a tenancy. ● Ensure every electrical installation is

inspected and tested at regular intervals by a qualified person. ● Ensure the first inspection and test is carried out before new specified tenancies from the 1st July 2020 and by the 1st April 2021 for existing specified tenancies. Looking at the first item regarding the electrical safety standards, this means the standards for electrical installations in the BS 7671:2018 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations. This brings several issues to light regarding the application of the PRS Regulations, which we'll explore here.

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

does not enforce upgrading to the current standard in the case of existing installations. There is a note from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which includes the wording: “Existing installations may have been designed and installed to conform to the standards set by earlier editions of BS 7671 or the IET Wiring Regulations. This does not mean they fail to achieve conformity with the relevant parts of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989”. This is further clarified within Part 6 of BS 7671:2018 under Periodic Inspection and Testing, where Regulation 651.2 states: “Existing installations may have been designed and installed to conform to previous editions of BS 7671, applicable at the time of their design and erection. This does not necessarily mean they are unsafe”. Therefore, anyone undertaking a periodic inspection and test to meet the Electrical Safety Standard defined in the PRS Regulations must look for non-compliances with BS 7671:2018 which give rise to danger. If an installation which had been installed in line with an earlier edition was certified as compliant, as all electrical work is required to be, then it should only be items which have safety issues that should be identified for remedial work, for example: ● ● ● ● ●

Suffered deterioration Been subject to excessive wear and tear Been damaged Failed testing parameters Materially changed from the original design

Consumer unit replacement Where a consumer unit (CU) has been replaced within a rented property without the entire installation being subject to a rewire, the procedure is to provide an Electrical Installation Certiﬁcate (EIC) for the CU change. What is not often clear is that this EIC does not, and cannot, certify the existing electrical installation as being Satisfactory for continued use. The EIC only permits the work that fully complies with the requirements of BS 7671:2018 to be issued for the consumer unit change. The existing parts of the installation would have been installed to previous editions and while compliant at the time of installation, cannot be certiﬁed as complying with the current edition. The additional issue with an EIC is that

responsibility for the entire installation would then be placed on the installer who had issued that EIC and so a full EICR would need to be carried out to meet the requirements under the PRS Regulations. An EIC is only acceptable where a full re-wire has taken place. Electrical Installation Condition Report The PRS Regulations require that an ‘Electrical Safety Check’ is carried out. For the purpose of this legislation, a safety check is in the form of an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). The observations and coding system described in BS 7671 are also used to describe when more serious issues need to be dealt with by the landlord, within the legislation. For the ﬁrst time, EICRs will be subject to time scales, which will be applied to the observations and codes where they lead to unsatisfactory outcomes, with C1, C2 and F1 codes requiring action to be completed within 28 days. Any ﬁndings which arise from an F1 will receive a further 28 days to complete. Where serious safety infringements warrant a C1, steps shall be taken to remove the danger, then the inspector can record a period of up to 28 days for the remedial work to be undertaken. Due to the increased dangers from C1 codes, the timescale issued would have to take into account the likelihood of possible injury to the tenant and also the landlord’s ability to engage a tradesman to repair

38 July/August 2021 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

within the timescales. Frequency of electrical safety checks Within the PRS Regulations, Part 2 Regulation 3-1(b) states: “ensure every electrical installation in the residential premises is inspected and tested at regular intervals”. Regulation 3-2 then lays out what these regular intervals mean: a) At intervals of no more than five years. b) If the most recent report requires intervals of less than five years, specified in that report. The PRS Regulations therefore requires the maximum period between the inspection and testing to be set at five years. BS 7671:2018 Regulation 653.4 states: “the report shall indicate a recommended date for the next inspection, supported by an explanation for the recommendation”. In most cases, we would expect the next inspection date to be set for five years from the date of current inspection, with the explanation that this date is in line with the requirements of the PRS Regulations. With regards to the option of less than five years, as described in 3-2(b), this would only be applied in cases where there has been: ● An increased risk due to the condition of

the property. ● A major deterioration since the last

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inspection, where adequate safety, maintenance and repairs are not effectively applied to an installation by the landlord. ● High turnover of tenants subjecting the installation to increased damage and wear. A detailed explanation must be provided to justify a more frequent inspection period, failure to include a justiﬁable reason for less than ﬁve years can be challenged by the landlord. In certain cases, the landlord may instigate more frequent inspections if they view the risk to the safety of tenant(s) or to the property as increased. It is not correct to note ‘Change of Occupancy’ as a trigger for the next inspection and test. A time interval with an explanation must be given in line with the requirements set out in the Wiring Regulations. Report findings The PRS Regulations places requirements on landlords to have any remedial work or further investigative work completed within

28 days or less. Failure to do so may incur investigation from the Local Housing Authority, who have a duty under the PRS Regulations to impose fines of up to £30,000 on any landlord who has not fulfilled their legal requirements and obligations to maintain the electrical installation in a safe condition. In all cases, the completed reports must be received by the landlord and provided to the tenant(s) within 28 days from the date the inspection was carried out. Qualified persons The PRS Regulations places requirement for the inspection and testing to be carried out by a qualified and competent person. The Regulations further states that any remedial or rectification work also needs to be completed by a qualified and competent person. For this work, written confirmation is required to be issued in the form of an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) to the landlord, who then submits this to the tenant and the Local Authority.

Conclusion The PRS Regulations are very detailed and lay out what steps the landlord is required to take to verify the safety of the electrical installations in their homes. Failure to comply can result in action from the Local Housing Authority who can bestow heavy ﬁnes. The Local Housing Authority may also instruct remedial or further investigative work to be undertaken and recover the monies from the landlord for the works carried out. Given the complexities of the legislation, dates for existing tenancies, and the requirements placed on both landlords and electrical inspectors to comply, NAPIT has produced a publication; written speciﬁcally to help both parties understand their obligations, it covers all the aspects required to comply with the PRS Regulations.

PURCHASE A COPY OF NAPIT'S LANDLORDS & ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS GUDIANCE FOR THE PRS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC015

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Working on your own? Need some technical advice? Don’t know where to turn? Ask Megger. What it doesn’t know about installing and testing electrical systems isn’t worth knowing. Every question will be answered by the Megger Technical Team, and the best will be published in Professional Electrician. So, take advantage of the ‘every question answered’ guarantee today. email your questions to: meggermeasures@hamerville.co.uk

You ask: I’M REALLY HAPPY WITH MY MEGGER PAT TESTER – IT’S FAST, EASY TO USE AND RELIABLE. BUT NOW A FRIEND HAS TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD STOP USING IT AS IT DOESN’T COMPLY WITH THE NEW 5TH EDITION OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE. SURELY THIS CAN’T BE RIGHT?

Megger says: It isn’t right and you can definitely carry on using your trusty Megger PAT tester! It’s true that the new CoP has made a small change to the pass value for touch leakage current, from 3.5 mA to 5.0 mA, but this isn’t a cause for concern. Remember that the Code of Practice is only a guidance document. The underlying standards, IEC 60990 (methods of measurement of touch current) and BS EN 50678 (testing after repair) haven’t changed – they still stipulate 3.5 mA. So you’re perfectly OK to stick to the pass limit of 3.5 mA – which is arguably a safer limit. Don’t forget, by the way, that the manufacturer of the item you’re testing may specify a non-standard limit for earth leakage and, if they do, the Megger PAT420 has a user selectable pass limit for touch leakage anyway. You can select anywhere between 0.1 and 20mA. Finally, to be absolutely clear, Megger PAT testers fully comply with all relevant and current British and IEC standards and you can be totally confident that they still meet your PAT testing requirements. VIEW THE MEGGER PAT420 PRODUCT TECH SPEC SHEET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC016

40 July/August 2021 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

FIRE ALARMS IN NEW BUILDS – IS BS 5839-6 BEING FOLLOWED?

Christopher Carvell MIET MIFSM PCQI, Managing Director and Principal Consultant at Carvell Group, discusses the shortfall in compliance issues around mains powered Grade D fire alarm systems in new build domestic dwellings.

lthough British Standards are not legislation, it is accepted that within the built environment they do form the basis to what we work to as a minimum. With many organisations referring to compliance with BS 5839-6 (the code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises) why, as an industry, do we fail to comply with this standard on so many levels? This article will focus on the application of BS 5839-6 to new build houses. Building Regulations, which is legislation, states that fire detection and alarm systems must be properly designed, installed, and maintained. It also states that third party certification schemes for fire protection products and services are

an effective means of providing assurances of quality, reliability and safety. The leading electrical third-party certification bodies provide schemes which assess an electrical contractor’s competence to deliver work activities in compliance with BS 7671. So, when a house builder or Building Control receives a certificate bearing the logo of a leading certification body with a signed declaration of compliance with BS 5839-6 one can understand that they would assume that there is a technical assessment supporting this certificate. Somewhat surprisingly, there is not. At present and despite the installation of mains powered Grade D fire detection and alarm systems being a staple of every electrician’s service offering, neither of the leading electrical certification bodies offer a technical assessment scheme for mains powered fire detection and alarm systems.

Design As we know, the basis of any compliant installation is a compliant design. For any design to be carried out the designer needs to understand what is needed, with reference to Building Regulations Approved Document B1 which states that all dwellings should have a fire detection and alarm system, minimum Grade D2 (detectors with replaceable batteries) Category LD3 (smoke detection installed on hallways, landings and staircases that form the escape route), in accordance with the relevant recommendations of BS 5839-6. So, what does BS 5839-6 actually recommend? The standard says that where there is a need to specify a fire detection and fire alarm system for dwellings in which characteristics of the occupants are unknown (e.g. new dwellings) the recommendations given in Table 1 of the

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standard should be followed to select the type of system that shall be installed. Table 1 details all dwelling types and then details which system grade and category is appropriate for the dwelling type. When one refers to Table 1 the minimum system for a new build owner occupied dwelling house is Grade D2 (detectors with replaceable batteries) Category LD2 (smoke detection installed on hallways, landings and staircases that form the escape route plus a heat detector installed in every kitchen and a smoke detector in the principal habitable rooms). So, who is designing the fire detection and alarm systems in new build homes and why are they not following Building Regulations and applying the recommendations of the standard? When consulting electrical contractors working in the new build housing sector it is universally communicated that the design of the fire detection and fire alarm system has already been undertaken and the electrical contractor is required to undertake the installation and commissioning elements and provide a certificate in compliance with BS 5839-6 on work completion. It is also apparent that a design certificate is not made available to the electrical contractor or the home occupier by the housebuilder, despite both Building Regulations and BS 5839-6 stipulating that a design certificate is required. Furthermore, it was also communicated that electrical contractors are advised to

install an LD3 system by the housebuilder and, as such, when measured against the British Standard the fire detection and alarm system within new build homes fails to have fire detectors within the kitchens and principal habitable rooms. Furthermore, without the design certificate being issued the organisation and person responsible for the design is not clearly defined and documented which often results in confusion regarding responsibility resting with the housebuilder or the electrical contractor. There is evidence that many electrical contractors are signing a declaration for the design of the system, despite not having undertaken this element of work, caused by the absence of a design certificate being issued by the actual designer.

known it is suggested that the recommendations of BS 5839-6 would be observed by any competent designer to ensure user testing was made accessible and, as such, would incorporate a low-level test controller mounted at switch height within their design. Installation The installer of the ﬁre detection and alarm system is presented with many sets of criteria to comply with BS 5839-6. The main areas where compliance is not achieved are: ●

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Disability discrimination New build homes understandably must cater for people of physical disability with the design and construction of the home being considerate to the accessibility of the dwelling. So, what about access to the user test button of the ﬁre detection and alarm system? BS 5839-6 states that Grade D systems can be provided with a low-level test switch to permit routine testing without the need to access test controls on the smoke or heat alarms themselves. In the consideration of accessibility in new build homes being a priority and with the occupier characteristics not being

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●

Incorrect labelling of the mains power supply at the consumer unit. Siting of detectors within no more than 3m from every bedroom door. Siting of detectors more than 300mm away from walls and light ﬁttings. Fire stopping and ﬁre sealing around cable penetrations.

Testing and commissioning To comply with BS 5839-6 each smoke, heat, and multi-sensor must be functionally tested using apparatus that effectively tests if smoke can enter the chamber and/or the application of heat can effectively activate the detector at commissioning stage. Consultation with electricians identiﬁed that detectors are not tested in accordance with the British Standard and, furthermore, electricians did not have access to the test equipment required.

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Electricians stated that some manufacturers promote and recommend not undertaking detector testing using test apparatus and recommend the use of the user test button to carry out system commissioning. This recommendation is a variation to BS 5839-6, and to comply with BS 5839-6 this variation must be agreed by all relevant parties, including the purchaser. Evidence shows that the variation is not put forward for agreement and one wonders if a choice were put to the purchaser to either test in accordance with the British Standard or operate the user test button, what the likely answer would be. Handover to the homeowner BS 5839-6 states that the supplier of the system shall provide the occupier with some very speciﬁc and important documented information regarding the system installed within their home, which is too exhaustive to list within this article. The purpose of the documentation is to

inform the home occupier on a host of matters – from system testing and false alarm limitation to actions to be taken in the event of a fire etc. On consultation with electrical contractors the universal response was that they did not comply with BS 5839-6 in relation to the issuing of home occupier guidance documentation. Building Control approval Any Building Control approval must ensure that the system complies with BS 5839-6 and design, installation and commissioning certification is present. In instances where the design has not been undertaken by the installation and commissioning organisation, a separate certificate should be issued to comply with BS 5839-6. One would also expect any competent Building Control Officer to inspect the installation as far as practicable to check that the system is compliant. But, given the issues raised in this article, can we be confident that Building Control are

undertaking a robust assessment of the fire life safety system before approving a dwelling for occupation? What is the solution? ● Creation and adoption of a third-party certification scheme for Grade D mains powered fire detection and alarm systems by the electrical certification bodies. ● Education of Building Control on how to check the specific compliance requirements of Grade D fire detection and alarm systems so they can protect the consumer. ● Raise awareness with housebuilders on the benefits of the specification on the use of third-party scheme certificated designers and electrical contractors for installation and commissioning. GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT CARVELL GROUP AND IT'S SUPPORT SERVICES AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC017

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Dr. Zzeus IN THIS BRAND NEW REGULAR COLUMN, ‘DR. ZZEUS’ TOM BROOKES, md of zzeus training and CHAIRMAN OF THE FSA, WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS RELATED TO FIRE SAFETY COMPLIANCE. HERE HE DISCUSSES FIRE ALARM zone plans. Should all fire alarm and detection systems have a zone plan and zone indicator lights? I'll start with the short answer: the standard is clear and states that on or adjacent to the fire control and indicating equipment (fire panel) should be a diagrammatic representation of the building correctly orientated. This should have all the building entrances, circulation spaces and be divided into zones. It can be illuminated or a printed plan. Now for the long answer: the British Standards committee for BS5839-1 is FSH 12 and we've considered zone plans and zone lights quite a few times over the years. We usually come back to the Rosepark Care home fire in 2004 where 14 elderly residents died. The subsequent inquiry highlighted that if the care home had a zone plan close to the fire control and indicating equipment (instead of a zone list) some, if not all, of the residents could have been saved. That's 14 lives lost because the owner and fire company decided not to install a zone plan.

As a result of the Rosepark inquiry, BS5839-1 now emphasises the importance of a zone plan in numerous clauses throughout the BS5839-1 document, so there's no excuse for not having a zone plan. Every fire control panel must have provision of zonal indicators and a zone plan, and if either one is missing the other has little value. The advantages of an addressable system and its text display, for people familiar with the premises and the operation of the fire alarm control panel, is universally accepted for locating a fire within the building. However frequently, when a fire occurs the building might be unoccupied, or those who attend the activation – such as a key holder or the fire service – may not be familiar with the building and names given to areas or rooms within it. Zonal indicators provide immediate, at a glance information to those responding to an alarm signal, particularly firefighters who may need to make a very quick decision based on that information. The plan of the building is useful for firefighters in the orientation and determination of the route to the detection zone of fire origin. Often the zone plan is the only plan the attending firefighters have of the building on arrival. The zonal indicator lights

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and the zone plan can provide firefighters with information regarding the spread of fire. Another issue that fire alarm engineers don't always consider is that a firefighter attending the fire and looking at the control panel may not know which buttons to press to scroll through the digital display and it is not feasible to train all firefighters in all fire control panels. Hence to aid finding the location of the activated detector its vital to have a correctly orientated zone plan close to the fire control panel. Another recommendation that came from the Rosepark fire was, where occupants of a building are likely to need assistance from staff to evacuate the building (residential care premises and hospitals), the fire detection and fire alarm system should be addressable if the building has facilities for more than ten people to sleep. DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION YOU'D LIKE ANSWERED? EMAIL YOUR QUERIES TO: TOM@ZZEUS.ORG.UK GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT ZZEUS TRAINING AND THE RANGE OF COURSES ON OFFER AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC018

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CROSSING THE LINE NAPIT’s Technical Manager, Trevor Milner, discusses downstream positions of protective devices for fault protection.

egulation 434.2 describes how fault protection may be achieved utilising downstream devices, stating: ‘A device providing protection against fault current shall be installed at the point where a reduction in the cross-sectional area or other change causes a reduction in the current-carrying capacity of the conductors, except where Regulation 434.2.1, 434.2.2 or 434.3 applies.’

Reducing the risk

The three conditions laid out in Regulation 434.2.1 are intended to reduce the risk of a fault occurring and, if a fault should occur, the risk of ﬁre and danger to persons or property. The following measures are envisaged: 1. The use of conductor lengths which are as short as possible (3 m max).

2. Installation methods to reduce the risk of fault, such as an enclosure, containment or cable type. 3. Reduce the danger to persons or the risk of ﬁre.

Overcurrent Protective Device

Overcurrent Protective Device each conductor not to exceed 3 m in length

The intention is to reduce the risks of faults greater than the Busbar chamber withstand of the conductors, locating or enclosing the Interconnecting n conductors so that, in the cables All switchgear must Overcurrent event of a fault, risk of fire or be rated for the fault Protective level at the point of Device danger to persons or property installation by the emission of flame, arcs or hot particles is prevented as far as is reasonably Fig 1 Example of a Busbar and associated switchgear practicable. Where metallic enclosures or barriers Effects must be maintained. are used, they must be connected to the BS EN 60439-1 Specification for circuit protective conductor. type-tested and partially type-tested Supplies between the main switch, assemblies, requires that the busbar and the switch fuses where the manufacturer shall specify in their conductors between the busbar chamber documents or catalogues the conditions, if and the switch fuses are not of sufficient any, for the installation, operation and current carrying capacity to meet the maintenance of the assembly and the current rating of the busbar, are a common equipment contained therein. example of this arrangement. Where necessary, the aforementioned documents shall indicate the recommended extent and frequency of Insufficient room maintenance. As such, there is a situation where the If the designation and installation is not busbar and connections made to switch clearly indicated due to the nature on the fuses may not have sufficient room for containment of the conductors' provision the installation of a suitable overcurrent of equipment, circuit and connections protective device. shall be supplied in the form of wiring In Fig 1 the busbar and associated diagrams of circuit descriptions. switchgear, the containment of the conductors has maintained the integrity with regards to protection against entry of FOR MORE INFORMATION ON foreign substances, Compliance with NAPIT SCHEME REGISTRATION, Chapter 41, Protection against Shock, and VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC019 Chapter 42, Protection against Thermal

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THE TRAINING GROUND What sort of things can I do to ‘give something back’ to the industry? It would be great to play a part somehow in helping people get the right advice about becoming an electrician. It’s great that you want to get involved; there are plenty of initiatives that allow you to share your experiences with young people and let them know exactly what’s involved in the industry. The quality of apprentices ‘these days’ is often discussed and debated, but sometimes this can be down to the fact that young people are getting incorrect or inaccurate advice before they make a careers decision. This can then lead to the wrong type of person applying for an electrical apprenticeship. Individuals actually from the industry, such as yourself, can give their personal story and convey clearly what skills and attributes you need to succeed. TESP is working with a number of organisations that allow you to carry out online or in-person careers advice, work experience placements and much more. By becoming a ‘STEM Ambassador’ (STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) you could hold a career talk or practical workshop for a primary or secondary school, college or youth/community organisation. The ‘Speakers for Schools’ initiative also arranges careers talks, plus virtual and real-life work experience placements or online projects. Or, in just 45 minutes you could hold an online mentoring session via the Youth Group’s ‘Mentor Me’ programme and make a real difference to a young person interested in the electrical industry. You can ﬁnd out more about these on the TESP website and we hope that more people like you will come forward to inform and inspire the next generation of electricians!

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BECOMING A MENTOR AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC020

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PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

FEEDBACK IS KING! Direct feedback from electrical installers is not only valuable to fellow professionals, but also the companies whose solutions are the subject of such scrutiny. In this special feature we take a look at what end users have to say about a number of prominent brands and products.

WHAT: C.K SPIRA-FLEX Draw Tapes WHO: W Falconer Electrical Services Using standard draw tape for cable routing can have its limitations, which is what professional electrician Wayne Falconer of W Falconer Electrical Services found during some recent work, which required cables to be fed through conduit. With the conduit not straight and cables already inside, the task was made much more difficult. The C.K SPIRA-FLEX Draw Tape provided an instant solution, with its strong yet extremely flexible structure allowing it to be quickly and easily fed through bends, curves and conduit cables, to complete the task. Designed for hassle-free cable installations, the C.K Draw Tapes offer significant time and cost-saving benefits while alleviating the need for any joint work, or adding junction boxes. This super flexible and immensely tough Ø4mm SPIRA-FLEX draw tape, offers a major improvement on standard nylon and steel draw tapes, which can be prone to twisting and kinking. Example 1 A long, 10ft length of conduit, round a 90˚ bend, had already failed with the standard draw tape.

Example 2 Wayne carried out the ﬁrst drop with his standard method using a junction box, bending one piece of conduit to 90˚, but had to

measure and cut two further conduit sections and connect with the connector. With SPIRAFLEX he was able to bend the conduit to shape and used SPIRAFLEX to draw the wiring through.

Example 3 Using SPIRAFLEX this image shows cabling going up through the mains box, around two bends in the conduit, and then drawing the cabling from the horizontal conduit into the mains.

GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE SPIRAFLEX DRAW TAPES AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC021

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WHAT: Zano Controls ZBARLED300 & 1000 WHO: A.M.P.S Electrical

WHAT: SPIT Pulsa 800E Nail Gun WHO: Industrial Power Solutions As full-service electrical contractors with over 60 years in the trade, the team at Industrial Power Solutions (IPS) are no strangers to fixing galvanized conduit and trunking. However, when working on a Category A fit-out for a London office space, IPS needed to speed up installation while meeting stringent health and safety guidance. To meet these requirements, the team used the SPIT Pulsa 800E cordless gas nail gun and Pulsa HC6 nails. The main application focused on fixing galvanised conduit onto steel columns and galvanised trunking at low level to concrete below a raised floor. With the help of SPIT’s Technical Manager, IPS were specified HC6-15mm nails, which are specifically designed to quickly and efficiently fix into hard substrates such as steel. By using the same tool and nail for both elements of the job the team was able to complete the job quickly and efficiently. Gavin Whyman, Operations Director for Industrial Power Solutions, explains: “The Pulsa 800 was specified by the main contractor. As well as saving time and helping us to work more efficiently versus traditional drilling methods, the Pulsa also offered built-in health and safety benefits. For my team, the lightweight tool reduced exposure to dust and reduced hand arm vibration, making it a system fit for our job in hand.”

When electrical engineer, Ash Beck of A.M.P.S Electrical was asked to carry out the electrical planning and lighting work of a new build property in Trevose Close in Constantine Bay, he had the perfect idea for the lighting in order to transform and accentuate the property’s upside-down layout. Ash was able to supply his choice of LED strip lighting, LED spotlights and LED wall fittings across the property, which had ten lighting circuits in total. After calculating the total load of each circuit, Ash knew that nine of the ZBARLED300 remote dimming packs would work well to control a large majority of the fittings and fixtures, with one ZBARLED1000 required to control the LED strip lighting in the box section of the apex ceiling. The ZBARLED300 was chosen to provide flicker-free and silent multi-point dimming of a mix of spotlights and wall lights across the nine upstairs circuits. With no limit to the number of control points that can be added to each circuit, Ash paired each ZBARLED remote dimming pack with a number of Zano Controls’ ZBAR rotary controllers in the grid version to fit into the MK grid system and provide multi-point lighting control across the upstairs of the property. 16 ZBAR controllers were used in total throughout the upstairs of the property. VIEW THE ZANO MINI CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC023

WHAT: RF Solutions HORNETPRO Control System WHO: John Sinclair, Electrician The HORNETPRO remote control system range is a 1-4 channel system that is often used by electricians for switching lights, door/gate motors, pumps and more. Electrician, John Sinclair, has been getting some interesting use out of the product, as he explains: “I'm an electrician and a Camp Warden at our district scout camp site. The issue we have faced is that when a Duty Warden heads up site for the visitors when it is dark, it can be an awfully intimidating scenario, especially when the wind is howling. “I found out about the HORNETPRO and thought it would be a great solution to switch on the set of ﬂoodlights on the huts from the main gates, which are about 200m away. Upon approaching the site we're now able to remote switch the ﬂoodlights on from the gates using a FOBBER keyfob transmitter. The HORNETPRO was super easy to wire in and no set-up was needed.”

VIEW THE PRODUCT DEMONSTRATION VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC022

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GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE HORNETPRO SYSTEM AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC024

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WHAT: LINIAN Clips WHO: Giffords Electrical & Balfour Beatty

WHAT: Fluke LinkIQ Cable+Network Tester WHO: Thornton Communications Fluke has recently launched the LinkIQ Cable+Network tester, which combines diagnostics with state-of-the-art cable measurement technology to enable installers, system integrators and network support professionals to easily troubleshoot network cabling and/or connect Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices to the network. Russell Queenan of Thornton Communications is already putting the product to good use, as he explains: “The LinkIQ is professional, intuitive, easy to use and very quick to return results. The device has an easy-to-read screen and delivers a precise bullet point summary of key information. “The real benefit of using the LinkIQ was the ability to challenge the capability of the old CAT5 cabling that we had not installed. This allowed me to advise the customer about which switch to upgrade based on those results. I knew it was good for 5G speeds, but anything above that then the sockets, cabling and patch panels would need upgrading. The notetaking and reporting functionality of the LinkIQ is also extremely valuable.” WATCH A PRODUCT DEMO VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC025

WHAT: Apollo Fire Detectors Test Set WHO: Zzeus Training and PWS Systems The Apollo Test Set was designed to assist engineers in managing Apollo loops and to aid in fault finding. It’s a portable loop tester featuring a touch screen display capable of providing several functions in interrogating and controlling all devices connected to the unit. This could be either individual devices, or complete circuits of addressable devices in the Apollo ranges – Soteria, Discovery and XP95. One fan of the product is Tom Brookes, Managing Director of Zzeus Training, who says: “At Zzeus Training we provide bespoke training and examinations for electricians and fire alarm engineers. Amongst numerous other things, one item we teach is fault finding. “A fault that’s particularly hard to find is double addresses, however the Apollo Loop Tester is an absolute game changer for finding double addressed detectors. All it takes is a simple click of a button and all the double addresses light up – no walking the site taking all the detectors down until you find the mistake, you simply have them illuminated in front of you.” Peter Walker, Owner of PWS Systems, is also very comlimenrary, stating: “For us the Test Set was a great investment. We find it very useful during installations where the control panel is yet to be installed or if there is no power available. It gives us the ability to check the loops for any issues, devices not responding, double addresses etc. It also checks the cabling for us to ensure we have completed loops along with letting us know of any short or open circuits.” GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE TEST SET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC026

Craig Giffords at Giffords Electrical is, in the words of the team at LINIAN, their number one fan! Craig has been a passionate ambassador for the brand and regularly shares his feedback and experiences on social media – https://giffordselectricalltd.co.uk. He says: "I've been using LINIAN clips for two years now and I’ll never go back to conventional clips again. I predominantly use the super clips for all my armoured and conduit runs but have also used the FireClips and the T&E Clips. The installation of all the clips is the same and makes for a quicker and neater installation. “I always recommend them to other trades, and I’ve lost count of how many people I've converted on to LINIAN clips. I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting both Lynne and Ian who have an incredible passion and are an inspiration." Another feather in the LINIAN cap has come in the form of a glowing review from the team at Balfour Beatty. The firm used 10,000 clips on the Strathclyde University project in Glasgow, and the feedback was great: “The clips are a great product to use due to the speed of install. They leave a good finish (especially with us having an exposed finish), and you do not require as many components or storage as you would with screws, rawlplugs and clips. “We've had very positive feedback from SPIE, who are installing the fire alarms, and also the BBK team who are installing the emergency lighting. All in all the products will definitely be getting used on future projects”.

VIEW THE LINIAN PRODUCT CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC027

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BUILDING CONNECTIONS ONLINE AND IN THE CLASSROOM

n these increasingly digitally-focused times, it's not unusual to see individual company representatives setting up their own accounts on social media and interacting directly with customers. Often, this can take away some of the more corporate-focused messages that are shared through a central brand account, and allows the individual to show potential end user or wholesaler customers some personality behind the account. Area Sales Manager at Ideal Industries, Dave Tyler (pictured), is learning ﬁrst-hand the beneﬁts of gaining customer feedback across virtual and real world networks, stating: "While feedback via wholesalers continues to be important for Ideal Industries, the team has found that engaging with contractors via social media and working with colleges have become key aspects of our customer

feedback strategy, "As @david_ideal_ on Instagram, I have around 4,000 followers, most of whom are not only commenting on the product posts that I upload, but are also tagging me in images of the products they've used on-site. It really is a social network, because it’s not just the team at Ideal Industries that beneﬁts from this feedback, but other electricians too, who can gain tips and see videos of the products in action." He continues: "We’ve seen a lot of interaction around our FT45 Feed Thru modular solution for data terminations. Lots of electricians have posted about how it’s been a lifesaver for them and that they’ve never looked back once they’ve started using it. Comments like that prompt interactions and build a community of users and advocates. "The knock-on effects are far reaching. One of the electricians I've been

interacting with on social media, Amy Barratt-Singh, has been involved in our PR activity and we’re sponsoring her YouTube channel as part of our support for encouraging more women into the sector. "The contacts we’re making on social media are also becoming unofficial market testers: I’ve recently sent out some samples of a new product we’ll be launching soon to find out what busy electricians think about it. That kind of candid feedback is so valuable, and it’s one of the benefits of our college partnership too." Dave concludes: "Supplying products to colleges enables us to gain feedback from both young people at the start of their career and their experienced tutors, so that we can find out if our products really are as simple to use as we want them to be." WATCH A DEMO VIDEO OF IDEAL'S FT45 FEED THROUGH SOLUTION AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC028

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To ensure that they can evolve with the ever-changing landscape of today's world, electricians must keep pace with technology. The team at Schneider Electric explains more.

ARE YOU KEEPING PACE?

echnological innovation is fundamental to improving our world, and the electrical industry is no different. Indeed, in a constantly evolving electrical landscape, those able to adapt will flourish, while the rest will undoubtedly struggle. Given the increasingly competitive nature of the sector, it has never been more critical for electricians to stay on top of the latest products, trends and techniques. With an unprecedented number of electricians likely to be retiring from the industry soon, we are heading into a new era. Those entering the profession, as well as those already in it, must have an understanding of the latest solutions and what encapsulates the modern home to prepare them for the future.

Flexible friends Primarily, consumers are demanding more flexibility than ever before. Homeowners want smart homes with integrated smart controls to drive sustainability and comfort, while meeting aesthetic needs. To match changing customer expectations, electricians need to understand the products on the market, their benefits, and how to install them. The opportunities which technology presents to the electrical industry are clear. These include greater flexibility, control, ease of

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installation, reliability, fewer maintenance issues and reduced running costs for customers, to name but a few. Those electricians that are able to understand and successfully implement new products and technology will reap the benefits.

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Gaining competitive advantage Working with the right product can significantly improve efficiency for electricians, ultimately giving them an edge in this competitive market. For example, working with consumer units such as Easy9 Compact, which offer flexible wiring options, allows installers to deliver circuit protection in any new build or retrofit project with minimal intrusion into living spaces. They can also be sure the solution will meet the specifications of the home, avoiding any returns, reorders, or delays. Furthermore, product advancements have brought changes to configurators. If there is a system with different connected components, electricians no longer need

to spend time researching a product to ensure they are all compatible. Leading modern technology is designed to be interoperable and this will prove beneficial for electricians in the long term. These are just two examples of how choosing the most flexible solution can increase efficiency for both electrical contractors and their customers. Those who fail to understand their products will find themselves working twice as hard as their competitors to achieve the same result. The right products enable electrical contractors to work smarter, instead of harder. Meeting customer demands Customers are increasingly aware of the latest products and they expect these to

EASY9 COMPACT IS HERE Schneider Electric has recently announced the launch of its Easy9 Compact. The next generation consumer unit complements the existing premium range to meet the needs of every household, combining design flexibility, ease of installation and BS regulatory compliance. The new Easy9 Compact is designed to be one of the most flexible residential solutions on the market. Compact by name and by nature, the unit maintains the range’s simplistic design at a smaller scale. The compact size, alongside a low-profile cover, provides homeowners and electricians with the ability to situate the solution wherever necessary and meet any aesthetical needs. The curved profile, white finish and minimalistic markings ensure the unit blends into its environment seamlessly.

As well as providing increased location flexibility, the Easy9 Compact offers multiple circuit configurations, incomer and rail positions, and cable entries. Electricians can therefore deliver circuit protection in any new build or retrofit project with minimal intrusion into living spaces. They can also be sure the solutions will meet the specifications of the home, avoiding any returns, reorders, or delays. WATCH AN ELECTRICIAN'S REVIEW OF THE EASY9 COMPACT AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC029

be offered. Being aware of solutions means that you can fulfil the needs of your customers at the right cost. It also means electricians can lead the way in educating the customer on the vast benefits associated with certain products in the electrical industry. Products need to be customisable, flexible and meet the specific needs of the environment. A compact size, alongside a low-profile aesthetic, can often mean that electrical installations don’t stand out. By offering bespoke solutions to customers, electrical contractors can transform businesses, saving them installation time, energy and money. Getting up to speed By embracing innovations, there is a prime opportunity for the next generation of electrical professionals to carve out a place for themselves in the industry and offer real value to their customers. Consumers are now looking for electrical advisors who can bring confident, individual recommendations for their specific needs, as well as digital solutions that enable superior monitoring and maintenance. Meeting these ever-changing needs will be a prerequisite for success in the future of the electrical industry. Getting to grips with the latest technology can be tricky. If you think you could benefit from some advice, then you can sign up to mySchneider portal to gain free access to training materials, tutorials, and webinars. After all, those that are open to learn only stand to benefit. SIGN UP TO THE MYSCHNEIDER PORTAL AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC030

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PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

Peter Adams, Technical Manager at NVC Lighting, looks at the different types of emergency lighting system and explains why battery care is such an important consideration.

BATTERY WILL GET YOU EVERYWHERE

mergency lighting is a safety critical system which is a mandatory requirement for all commercial premises. It can be separated into two different types of system: self-contained and centrally powered. A self-contained or ‘single point’ system consists of luminaires which include all the necessary components to operate them in mains and emergency mode, housed integrally to the luminaire or within one metre of it. Alternatively, a centrally powered system comprises a slave inverter or change-over inverter locally to the luminaire, with the battery cabinet housed remotely, elsewhere within the building. Both systems use alternative sources of power to provide illumination in a real-life emergency and during sustained power failures, in the shape of a battery pack. The battery is crucial to the on-going performance of the system and so should be chosen wisely, with particular attention paid to its correct speciﬁcation, designation, and quality of performance. Moreover, it is essential that the battery is looked after and operated within its correct parameters throughout its design life. For emergency lighting, this life is four years, in line with the Self-Contained Emergency Luminaire standard, BS EN 60598-2-22:2014. The four main chemistries of battery packs used for emergency lighting are: Valve regulated lead-acid (VRLA),

Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cad), Nickel Metal-Hydride (Ni-MH) and Lithium (typically LiFePO4). All four are rechargeable and must conform to speciﬁc battery standards for performance and safety. It is paramount that the chosen battery is compatible with the control gear used, however, it can’t be assumed that it will continue to perform to a high level if not cared for appropriately. Drop in battery performance Over-cycling, incorrect charge regimes, excessive temperatures and accidental deep-discharge can, and frequently will, contribute to a drop in performance and an inability of the battery to satisfy its design life. It is no coincidence that many emergency lighting luminaire manufacturers experience high volumes of aftersales enquiries speciﬁcally related to batteries and their premature failure. This has occurred for many years across countless electrical installations and is often down to a lack of education and awareness of how the battery must be stored and operated both prior to and during application. The system should be tested and maintained in accordance with BS EN 50172:2004 and EN 62034 if using an automatic self-test system. This equates to one full annual duration test and a monthly functional check. It is equally important to perform daily or weekly routine visible inspections of

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the charge indicator which will provide the initial status of the health of the battery and luminaire. Care should also be taken to ensure that the operating temperature of the installation remains within the maximum tolerances of the battery (around 50˚C for Ni-Cad and Ni-MH and 55˚C for Lithium). A lack of scheduled maintenance, incorrect and overzealous testing, combined with harsh environmental factors can all impact adversely on the battery, but by following these guidelines and avoiding accidental misuse and abuse throughout, there's no reason why the battery shouldn't satisfy and even exceed its designed life. VIEW THE NVC EMERGENCY LIGHTING CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC031

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PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

SAFE TO TOUCH

Emma Segelov, MK Electric’s EMEA Marketing Operations Manager, examines what building owners, operators and employers can do to make indoor spaces safer and healthier – now and long after the pandemic ends.

eople have become more attuned to what’s happening to change the spaces that they occupy, use and interact with to make them safer. In a recent study commissioned by Honeywell and carried out by Wakeﬁeld Research of workers’ perceptions on the health and safety of their workplace, a staggering 78% of those currently working remotely are especially sceptical about the safety of work sites.

In the UK, half of the participants interviewed were concerned about transmission through touching a surface that has the virus (51%) and through the air (49%). In fact, their level of worry for surface transfer is signiﬁcantly higher compared to other employees around the world (44%). The challenge for building owners, operators and employers is how long-term strategies can be implemented to create a healthier environment overall. Electrical wiring devices such as switches and

sockets are just one of many touchpoints around a building that can provide opportunities for contagions to spread. Therefore, choosing products that have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties may help to reduce the risk of infections. Modern materials Many devices are now manufactured from materials which have these attributes, such as urea formaldehyde, making them an effective weapon in killing harmful bacteria and viruses. Products that are scratch-free, thanks to high quality mould tools, such as MK’s urea formaldehyde wiring devices, minimises surfaces for pathogens to hide, providing another way to help stop the spread of infections. Meeting standards To provide additional protection for users against contracting an infection from frequently touched surfaces like electrical sockets and switches, products that have been tested to the latest internationally recognised standard – ISO 22196:2011 – should be recommended. To comply with this standard, the testing must follow the speciﬁed method, e.g. the product must remain in contact with the microbes for 24 hours. The tests must also be carried out under set temperatures and humidity levels. What’s

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more, multiple test samples are required and control tests are also done to provide reliable results. Claims made on products that have not been tested to an industry recognised standard such as ISO 22196:2011 may not be as scientiﬁcally robust. Comprehensive testing In addition to following industryrecognised standards, speciﬁers and installers should also look for efficacy across a range of pathogens, some of which could be more relevant to the end-client’s sector. For example, MRSA can cause a serious infection and often poses a higher risk to patients in hospitals and other healthcare environments. Our Logic Plus and MK Base portfolios are amongst the most widely tested wiring devices on the market, with outstanding kill rate protection against Listeria, Staphylococcus Aureus 6538p (which is known to be resistant to antibiotics), MRSA, E.coli and Salmonella, which is why they are a popular choice within healthcare settings.

Go anti-viral Viruses too can cause a wide variety of illnesses. Non-enveloped viruses carry the proteins used to infect cells in an inner layer which is less susceptible to disinfectants, making them harder to disinfect compared to their enveloped counterparts. It is one of the reasons why protection against Phi-X174 – one of the smallest known non-enveloped viruses – is used as an internationally recognised standard in anti-viral testing to analyse the resistance of critical PPE and air ﬁltration systems to blood-borne viruses. Both our Logic Plus and MK Base ranges have been tested in accordance with ISO 22196: 2011 against the Phi-X174 virus, with kill rates of over 99.99% and 99.99% respectively (source: Honeywell internal data). By investing in infrastructural changes that will help to provide a healthier and safer environment, companies can make their spaces more attractive to building users.

MK offers a complete range of products, from its MK Base and Logic Plus wiring devices, to its Prestige 3D Antibac Blue cable management solution, enabling electrical speciﬁers, contractors and installers to design, recommend and install a complete anti-bacterial and anti-viral electrical solution that meets the most stringent requirements. DOWNLOAD THE MK ANTIMICROBIAL FLYER AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EC032

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