Best Prac ce Guide 4 (Issue 3) - Electrical Safety First · PDF fileBest Prac ce Guide 4...

Electrical installationcondition reporting:Classification Codes fordomestic and similarelectrical installations

Best Prac�ce Guide 4 (Issue 3)

This is one of a series of Best Practice Guides produced byElectrical Safety First1 in association with leading industrybodies for the benefit of electrical contractors and installers,and their customers.

Electrical Safety First is indebted to the following organisationsfor their contribution and/or support to the development ofthis Guide:

Several of the photographs in this Guide have been extracted from a supersededElectrical Safety First DVD, courtesy of Navigator Productions Ltd. Others were kindlysupplied by Nick Blakeley Electrical and Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

In electronic format, this Guide is intended to be made availablefree of charge to all interested parties. Further copies may bedownloaded from the websites of some of the contributingorganisations.

The version of this Guide on the Electrical Safety First website(www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk) will always be the latest. Feedbackon any of the Best Practice Guides is always welcome – email:[email protected]

British Gaswww.britishgas.co.uk

BSI Product Serviceswww.bsigroup.com

City & Guildswww.cityandguilds.com

EALwww.eal.org.uk

Electrical Contractors’ Associationwww.eca.co.uk

ELECSAwww.elecsa.co.uk

Institution of Engineeringand Technologywww.theiet.org

NAPITwww.napit.org.uk

NICEIC www.niceic.com

SCEMEwww.sceme.org

SELECT(Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland)

www.select.org.uk

In electronic format, this Guide is intended to be made available free of

charge to all interested parties. Further copies may be downloaded from

the websites of some of the contributing organisations.

The version of this Guide on the Electrical Safety First website

(www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk) will always be the latest. Feedback on

any of the Best Practice Guides is always welcome – email

[email protected]

Electrical Safety First is supported by all sectors of the electrical industry,

approvals and research bodies, consumer interest organisations, the

electrical distribution industry, professional institutes and institutions,

regulatory bodies, trade and industry associations and federations, trade

unions, and local and central government.

*Electrical Safety First (formerly the National Inspection Council for

Electrical Installation Contracting) is a charitable non-profit making

organisation set up in 1956 to protect users of electricity against the

hazards of unsafe and unsound electrical installations.

Published by:

Electrical Safety First

Unit 331

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London SE1 0HS

Tel: 0203 463 5100

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

Electrical Safety First and other contributors believe that the guidanceand information contained in this Best Practice Guide is correct, but allparties must rely on their own skill and judgement when making use ofit. Neither Electrical Safety First nor any contributor assumes any liabilityto anyone for any loss or damage caused by any error or omission in thisGuide, whether such error or omission is the result of negligence or anyother cause. Where reference is made to legislation, it is not to beconsidered as legal advice. Any and all such liability is disclaimed.

© Electrical Safety Council. March 2014

©The Electrical Safety Council

Introduction

Every electrical installation deteriorates with useand time. Therefore, if the safety of the users is notto be put at risk, it is important that everyinstallation is periodically inspected and tested by acompetent person. Indeed, it is recommended inBS 7671: 2008 as amended (Regulation 135.1)that every electrical installation is subjected toperiodic inspection and testing.

The inspection and testing should be carried out at

appropriate intervals in order to determine what, if

anything, needs to be done to maintain the

installation in a safe and serviceable condition.

The results of the inspection and testing need to beclearly detailed in a report. Any observed damage,deterioration, defects, dangerous conditions andnon-compliances with the requirements of thecurrent edition of BS 7671 that may give rise todanger should be recorded and appropriatelyclassified for remedial action.

It should be borne in mind that, as stated in theintroduction to BS 7671, existing installations thathave been constructed in accordance with earliereditions of the Standard may not comply with thecurrent edition in every respect, but this does notnecessarily mean that they are unsafe for continueduse or require upgrading.

Electrical installationcondition reporting:Classification Codes for domesticand similar electrical installations

The aim of this Guide is to provide practical guidance for competent personson the use of the Classification Codes that need to be attributed to eachobservation recorded during the periodic inspection and testing of anelectrical installation for the benefit of the person ordering the report.

The guidance is limited to the range of observations that are likely to beassociated with domestic and similar electrical installations. It takes intoaccount the publication of Amendment 1 to BS 7671: 2008.

Inspecting a socket-outlet

An electrical installation condition report is, as its titleindicates, a report and not a certificate. It providesan assessment of the in-service condition of anelectrical installation against the requirements of theedition of BS 7671 current at the time of theinspection, irrespective of the age of the installation.

The report is primarily for the benefit of the personordering the work and of persons subsequentlyinvolved in additional or remedial work, or furtherinspections. The report may be required for one ormore of a variety of reasons, each of which mayimpose particular requirements or limitations on theinspection and testing.

The report is required to include details of the extentof the installation and of any limitations of theinspection and testing, including the reasons for anysuch limitations and the name of the person withwhom those limitations were agreed. It should benoted that the greater the limitations applying, thelesser is the scope of the inspection and testingcarried out, and hence the value of the report iscorrespondingly diminished. The report is alsorequired to include a record of the inspection andthe results of testing.

The report provides a formal declaration that, withinthe agreed and stated limitations, the detailsrecorded, including the observations andrecommendations, and the completed schedules ofinspection and test results, give an accurateassessment of the condition of the electricalinstallation at the time it was inspected.

Purpose of periodic inspection,testing and reporting

The main purpose of periodic inspection and testingis to detect so far as is reasonably practicable, and toreport on, any factors impairing or likely to impairthe safety of an electrical installation.

The aspects to be covered include all of thefollowing:

• Safety of persons against the effects of electricshock and burns

• Protection against damage to property by fireand heat arising from an installation defect

• Confirmation that the installation is notdamaged or deteriorated so as to impair safety

• Identification of non-compliances with thecurrent edition of BS 7671, or installationdefects, which may give rise to danger.

page 4 ©The Electrical Safety Council

Electrical installations in poor condition present risks of fire aswell as electric shock

A typical periodic inspection notice for an older installation

The inspector

All persons carrying out the inspection and testing ofelectrical installations must be competent to do so.

To be competent to undertake the periodicinspection and testing of an existing electricalinstallation, persons must as a minimum:

• Have sufficient knowledge and experience ofelectrical installation matters to avoid injury tothemselves and others

• Be familiar with, and understand, therequirements of the current edition of BS 7671including those relating to inspection, testingand reporting

• Be skilled in the safe application of theappropriate test instruments and procedures

• Have a sound knowledge of the particular typeof installation to be inspected and tested

• Have sufficient information about the functionand construction of the installation to allowthem to proceed in safety.

If the inspector is competent and takes all thenecessary safety precautions including following thecorrect procedures, the process of inspecting andtesting should not create danger to persons, or causedamage to property.

Past events indicate that persons undertakingelectrical installation condition reporting need tohave extensive knowledge and experience ofelectrical installation matters to enable them tosafely and accurately assess the condition of anexisting electrical installation. This is especially sowhen they do not have access to the design ormaintenance information relating to thatinstallation.

Guidance on safe isolation procedures is available inanother Best Practice Guide (No 2 in the series)published by Electrical Safety First, which can bedownloaded free of charge fromwww.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk and othercontributing bodies.

page 5©The Electrical Safety Council

A continuity test being carried out

Periodic inspection andtesting procedures

The procedures for periodic inspection and testingdiffer in some respects from those for the initialverification of new installation work. This is becausethe subject of an electrical installation conditionreport is usually an installation which has beenenergised and in use for some time. Particularattention therefore needs to be given during theinspection process to assessing the condition of theinstallation in respect of:

• Safety

• Wear and tear

• Corrosion

• Damage and deterioration

• Excessive loading

• Age

• External influences

• Suitability (taking account of any changes inuse or building extensions etc).

Also, for reasons beyond the inspector’s control, theinspector may be unable to gain access to parts ofthe existing installation. For example, it is usuallyimpracticable to inspect cables that have beenconcealed within the fabric of the building.

Such restrictions are likely to result in the inspectionand testing of those parts of the installation beinglimited, or being omitted entirely from the process.

Where, during the course of inspection or testing, areal and immediate danger is found to be present inan installation (from an accessible exposed live part,for example), immediate action will be necessary tomake it safe before continuing. However, thediscovery of the dangerous condition should still berecorded in the report and classified accordingly.

Inspectors should note that, even in domesticpremises, Section 3 of the Health and Safety atWork etc Act 1974 and the Electricity at WorkRegulations 1989 effectively require them toendeavour to make safe, before leaving site and withthe agreement of the user or owner, any dangerousconditions found in an installation. For example,where there are accessible live parts due to blanksmissing from a consumer unit, suitable temporarybarriers should be provided to protect persons fromdirect contact with those live parts.

As persons using the installation are at risk, it is notsufficient simply to draw attention to the dangerwhen submitting the electrical installation conditionreport. At the very least, the inspector must ensurethat the client is made aware, at the time ofdiscovery, of the danger that exists. An agreementshould be made with the client as to the appropriateaction to be taken to remove the source of danger(for example, by switching off and isolating theaffected part of the installation until remedied),before continuing with the inspection or testing.


A potentially overloaded socket-outlet


Some certification, registration and membershipbodies make available ‘dangerous conditionnotification’ forms. These assist inspectors to record,and then to communicate immediately to theperson responsible for the safety of the installation,any dangerous condition discovered.

A dangerous condition - line conductor connected to the metallicenclosure of a light fitting (in addition to exposed conductors)

Observations

The periodic inspection and testing proceduresshould identify any damage, deterioration, defectsand conditions within the installation that give rise,or potentially give rise, to danger. The proceduresshould also identify any deficiencies for whichremedial action would contribute to a significantimprovement in the safety of the electricalinstallation.

After due consideration, each such observed safetyissue should be recorded at the appropriate point inthe inspection or test results schedule, and furtherdetailed in the ‘observations’ section of the report.

The observations should be based on therequirements of the edition of BS 7671 current atthe time of the inspection, not on the requirementsof an earlier edition current at the time theinstallation was constructed.

Each observation should be written in a clear,accurate and concise manner that is likely to beunderstood by the person ordering the work.Technical terms should be avoided or explainedunless it is known that the recipient is an electricalengineer or electrician, for example.

An electrical installation condition report is intendedto be a factual report on the condition of aninstallation, not a proposal for remedial work.Therefore, each recorded observation shoulddescribe a specific defect, omission or item for whichimprovement is recommended.

The observation should detail what the situation is,and not what is considered necessary to put it right.For example, ‘excessive damage to the consumerunit enclosure’ would be appropriate, whereas‘consumer unit to be replaced’ would not.

Only observations that can be supported by one ormore regulations in the edition of BS 7671 currentat the time of the periodic inspection should berecorded. The particular regulation number(s) neednot be entered in the report (unless specificallyrequired by the client), but should serve to remindthe inspector that it is only compliance with BS 7671that is to be considered. Observations based solelyon personal preference or ‘custom and practice’should not be included.


Recessed luminaire above a bath (outside the zones)


Classification Codes

Each observation relating to a concern about thesafety of the installation should be attributed anappropriate Classification Code selected from thestandard codes C1, C2 and C3. Each code has aparticular meaning:

Code C1 ‘Danger present’. Risk of injury. Immediate remedial action required.

Code C2 ‘Potentially dangerous’. Urgent remedial action required

Code C3 ‘Improvement recommended’.

Only one of the standard Classification Codes shouldbe attributed to each observation. If more than oneClassification Code could be attributed to anobservation, only the most serious one should beused (Code C1 being the most serious).

Where the inspection and testing proceduresidentify an item which is dangerous or potentiallydangerous, it should be identified in the inspectionor test results schedule of the report by attributing toit a Classification Code C1 or C2, as appropriate, inthe ‘outcome’ column of the inspection schedule or,where provided, the ‘remarks’ column of the testschedule.

Where the inspection and testing proceduresidentify an item which is not dangerous orpotentially dangerous, but for which improvement isrecommended, it should be identified in theinspection or test results schedule of the report byattributing to it a Classification Code C3 in the‘outcome’ column of the inspection schedule or,where provided, the ‘remarks’ column of the testschedule.

Where during inspection and testing a real andimmediate danger is observed that puts thesafety of those using the installation at risk,Classification Code C1 (danger present) must be given.

Where a Classification Code C1 is consideredappropriate, the client is to be advised immediately,and also in writing, that immediate remedial actionis required (or has been taken) to remove thedanger. As previously indicated, this action isnecessary to satisfy the duties imposed on theinspector and other duty holders by the Health andSafety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Electricity atWork Regulations 1989.

Wherever an item in the inspection or test resultsschedule has been attributed a Classification CodeC1, C2 or C3, there should be a correspondingobservation in the ‘observations’ section of the report.

Live parts exposed to touch


In general terms, theClassification Codes should beused as follows:

Code C1 (Danger present)

This code should be used to indicate that dangerexists, requiring immediate remedial action.

The persons using the installation are at immediaterisk. The person ordering the report should beadvised to take action without delay to remedy theobserved deficiency in the installation, or to takeother appropriate action (such as switching off andisolating the affected parts of the installation) toremove the danger. The inspector should not waitfor the full report to be issued before giving thisadvice.

As previously indicated, some certification,registration and membership bodies make available‘dangerous condition notification’ forms to enableinspectors to record, and then to communicateimmediately to the person ordering the report, anydangerous condition discovered.

Code C2 (Potentially dangerous)

This code should be used to indicate that, whilst anobserved deficiency is not considered to bedangerous at the time of the periodic inspection, itwould become a real and immediate danger if afault or other foreseeable event was to occur in theinstallation or connected equipment.

The person ordering the report should be advisedthat, whilst the safety of those using the installationmay not be at immediate risk, remedial actionshould be taken as a matter of urgency to removethe source of potential danger.

Code C3 (Improvement recommended)

This code should be used to indicate that, whilst anobserved deficiency is not considered to be a sourceof immediate or potential danger, improvementwould contribute to a significant enhancement ofthe safety of the electrical installation.

Further investigation

The model forms in BS 7671: 2008 incorporatingAmendment 1 provide for a need for furtherinvestigation to be indicated against each inspectionand test outcome, and against each observation.Usually, however, it should be possible to attribute aClassification Code to each observation without theneed for further investigation.

The purpose of periodic inspection, as previouslystated, is not to carry out a fault-finding exercise, butto assess and report on the condition of aninstallation within the agreed extent and limitationsof the inspection. Therefore, where an observationcan be attributed a Classification Code, furtherinvestigation would not be required for the purposesof completing the condition report.

Further investigation should not be called for inrespect of any observation unless that investigationcould reasonably be expected to reveal danger orpotential danger. Further investigation should not becalled for simply because it would be ‘nice to know’– for example, why a socket-outlet is unearthed.

If an observation cannot be attributed aClassification Code due to reasonable doubt asto whether danger or potential danger exists,the outcome of the assessment must bereported to be unsatisfactory.

The person ordering the report should be advisedthat the inspection and/or testing has revealed apotential safety issue which could not, due to theagreed extent or limitations of the inspection, befully determined, and that the issue should beinvestigated as soon as possible.

An example of an observation that might possiblyjustify further investigation is given on page 17.

Departures from the requirements of the currentedition of BS 7671 that do not give rise todanger or need improvement

Amendment 1 to BS 7671: 2008 no longer requiresdepartures from the requirements of the currentedition of BS 7671 that do not give rise to danger orneed improvement to be recorded in conditionreports. (Examples of such departures are given onpage 17.)

Summary of the conditionof the installation

The summary should adequately describe thegeneral condition of the installation in terms ofelectrical safety, taking into account the specificobservations made. It is essential to provide a clearsummary of the condition of the installation havingconsidered, for example:

• The adequacy of the earthing and bondingarrangements

• The suitability of the consumer unit and othercontrol equipment

• The type(s) of wiring system, and its condition

• The serviceability of equipment, includingaccessories

• The presence of adequate identification andnotices

• The extent of any wear and tear, damage orother deterioration

• Changes in use of the premises that have ledto, or might lead to, deficiencies in theinstallation.

Minimal descriptions such as ‘poor’, andsuperficial statements such as ‘recommend arewire’, are considered unacceptable as they donot indicate the true condition of aninstallation. It will often be necessary orappropriate to explain the implications of anelectrical installation condition report in acovering letter, for the benefit of recipients whorequire additional advice and guidance abouttheir installation.

For example, where an installation has deterioratedor been damaged to such an extent that its safeserviceable life can reasonably be considered to beat an end, a recommendation for renewal should bemade in a covering letter, giving adequatesupporting reasons. Reference to the covering lettershould be made in the report.

On the model electrical installation condition reportgiven in BS 7671, a box is provided for the overallassessment of the condition of the installation to begiven. After due consideration, the overall conditionof the installation should be given as either‘satisfactory’ or ‘unsatisfactory’.

If any observation in the report has been givena Code C1 or Code C2 classification ascategorised in this Guide, or if any observationsrequire further investigation to determinewhether danger or potential danger exists, theoverall assessment of the condition of theinstallation must be reported to be‘unsatisfactory’.

If there are no observations in the report classifiedas C1 or C2, or that require further investigation, itwould not be reasonable to report the overallcondition of the installation as unsatisfactory.

The recommended interval until the nextinspection should be made conditional upon allobservations that have been given aClassification Code C1 (danger present) beingremedied immediately and all observations thathave been given a Code C2 (potentiallydangerous) or that require further investigationbeing remedied or investigated respectively as amatter of urgency.

Where the space provided for the description of thegeneral condition of the installation is inadequatefor the purpose and it is necessary to continue thedescription on an additional page(s), the pagenumber(s) of the additional page(s) should berecorded.


Unsatisfactory connection to a downlighter

Examples of the use ofClassification Codes

It is entirely a matter for the competent personconducting the inspection to decide on theClassification Code to be attributed to anobservation. The inspector’s own judgement asa competent person should not be undulyinfluenced by the person ordering the work. Theperson(s) signing the report are fully responsiblefor its content and accuracy.

The following examples are not exhaustive. Allreferences to RCD protection mean additionalprotection by an RCD having a rated operating(tripping) current (I∆n) not greater than 30 mAand an operating time not exceeding 40 ms at aresidual current of 5 I∆n.

Code C1 (Danger present)

Observations that would almost certainly warrant aCode C1 classification include:

• Exposed live parts that are accessible to touch,such as where:

❍ a fuse carrier or circuit-breaker is missingfrom a consumer unit and a blanking piece isnot fitted in its place

❍ terminations or connections have no (ordamaged) barriers or enclosures

❍ live conductors have no (or damaged)insulation

❍ an accessory is badly damaged.

• Conductive parts have become live as theresult of a fault

• Incorrect polarity

Code C2 (Potentially dangerous)

Observations that would usually warrant a Code C2classification include:

• Absence of a reliable and effective means ofearthing for the installation

• A public utility water pipe being used as themeans of earthing for the installation

• A gas or oil pipe being used as the means ofearthing for the installation

• Cross-sectional area of the earthing conductordoes not satisfy adiabatic requirements (that is,does not comply with Regulation 543.1.1)

• Absence of a circuit protective conductor for alighting circuit supplying one or more items ofClass I equipment, or connected to switcheshaving metallic face plates2

• Absence of a notice warning that lightingcircuits have no circuit protective conductor2

• Absence of a circuit protective conductor for acircuit, other than a lighting circuit, supplyingone or more items of Class I equipment

• Absence of earthing at a socket-outlet

• Absence of main protective bonding

Examples of the use of Classification Codes


Socket-outlet with broken face plate

Absence of a reliable means of earthing

2 See the Electrical Safety First Best Practice Guide No 1 - replacing a consumer unit in domestic premises where lighting circuits haveno protective conductor.

• Inadequate cross-sectional area of a mainprotective bonding conductor where theconductor is less than 6 mm2 or where there isevidence of thermal damage

• Absence of supplementary bonding whererequired3 , such as in a location containing abath or shower, where any of the followingthree conditions are not satisfied:

❍ All final circuits of the location comply withthe requirements of Regulation 411.3.2 forautomatic disconnection, and

❍ All final circuits of the location haveadditional protection by means of a 30 mARCD, and

❍ All extraneous-conductive-parts of thelocation are effectively connected to theprotective equipotential bonding (mainearthing terminal).

• The main RCD or voltage-operated earth-leakage circuit-breaker on a TT system fails tooperate when tested with an instrument orintegral test button

• Absence of RCD protection for portable ormobile equipment that may reasonably beexpected to be used outdoors

• Absence of RCD protection for socket-outlets ina location containing a bath or shower, otherthan for SELV or shaver socket-outlets

• Socket-outlets other than SELV or shaver socket-outlets located less than 3 m horizontally fromthe boundary of zone 1 in a location containinga bath or shower

• Absence of fault protection (protection againstindirect contact) by RCD where required, suchas for a socket-outlet circuit in an installationforming part of a TT system

• Circuits with ineffective overcurrent protection(due, for example, to oversized fuse wire inrewireable fuses)

• A protective device installed in a neutralconductor only

• Separate protective devices in line and neutralconductors (for example, double-pole fusing)



Checking a fuse carrier (base missing)

Double-pole switch with fuses in each pole

Absence of supplementary bonding

3 Where the presence of supplementary bonding cannot be confirmed by inspection, it may be verified by a continuity test (< 0.05Ω)

• Earth fault loop impedance value greater thanthat required for operation of the protectivedevice within the time prescribed in the versionof BS 7671/IET Wiring Regulations current atthe time of installation

• A ring final circuit having a discontinuousconductor

• A ring final circuit cross-connected with another circuit

• Inconsistent resistance values for theconductors of ring final circuits

• Unsatisfactory electrical connection (such as a loose connection or type, number and/or size of conductors unsuitable for the means of connection)

• A ‘borrowed neutral’, for example where asingle final circuit neutral is shared by two finalcircuits (such as an upstairs lighting circuit anda separately-protected downstairs lightingcircuit)

• Insulation resistance of less than 1 MΩbetween live conductors connected togetherand Earth, when measured at the consumerunit with all final circuits connected

• Insulation of live conductors deteriorated tosuch an extent that the insulating materialreadily breaks away from the conductors

• Sheath of an insulated and sheathed non-armoured cable not taken inside the enclosureof an accessory, such as at a socket-outlet orlighting switch, where the unsheathed cores areaccessible to touch and/or likely to come intocontact with metalwork. (Note: Code C3 wouldapply if the unsheathed cores are notaccessible to touch nor likely to come intocontact with metalwork)

• Unenclosed electrical connections, such as atluminaires. (Such a defect can contribute to afire, particularly where extra-low voltagefilament lamps are used)

• Fire risk from incorrectly installed electricalequipment, including incorrectly selected orinstalled downlighters



Cable sheath not taken inside metallic enclosure

Crumbling vulcanised rubber insulation

Unsatisfactory electrical connections

• Fire risk from lamps exceeding the maximumrated wattage for the luminaires, or placed tooclose to combustible materials

• Evidence of excessive heat (such as charring)from electrical equipment causing damage tothe installation or its surroundings

• Unsatisfactory functional operation ofequipment where this might result in danger

• Immersion heater does not comply with BS EN 60335-2-73 (that is, it does not have abuilt-in cut-out that will operate if the storedwater temperature reaches 98 OC if thethermostat fails), and the cold water storagetank is plastic

• Electrical equipment having an inadequatedegree of ingress protection (IP rating) for theexternal influences likely to occur in thelocation, if this results in potential danger

• Absence of warning notices indicating thepresence of an alternative or secondary sourceof electricity, such as a standby generator ormicrogenerator

• Fixed equipment does not have a means ofswitching off for mechanical maintenance,where such maintenance involves a risk ofburns, or injury from mechanical movement.

Code C3 (Improvement recommended)

Observations that would usually warrant a Code C3classification include:

• Absence of RCD protection for a socket-outletthat is unlikely to supply portable or mobileequipment for use outdoors, does not serve alocation containing a bath or shower, and theuse of which is otherwise not considered by theinspector to result in potential danger. (Note: Code C2 would apply if the circuitsupplied a socket-outlet in a location containing a bath or shower in accordance with Regulation 701.512.3)

• Absence of RCD protection for cables installedat a depth of less than 50 mm from a surfaceof a wall or partition where the cables do notincorporate an earthed metallic covering, arenot enclosed in earthed metalwork, or are notmechanically protected against penetration bynails and the like

• Absence of RCD protection for circuits of alocation containing a bath or shower wheresatisfactory supplementary bonding is present



Older immersion heater without thermal cut-out

Photovoltaic installation (Photo courtesy Energy Saving Trust)

RCD in a consumer unit



• Reliance on a voltage-operated earth-leakagecircuit-breaker for fault protection (protectionagainst indirect contact), subject to the devicebeing proved to operate correctly. (If thecircuit-breaker relies on a water pipe notpermitted by Regulation 542.2.6 as the meansof earthing, this would attract a Code C2classification.)

• Absence of a quarterly test notice for any RCDor voltage-operated earth-leakage circuit-breaker

• Absence of circuit protective conductors incircuits having only Class II (or all-insulated)luminaires and switches4

• Absence of ‘Safety Electrical Connection — DoNot Remove’ notice

• Sheath of an insulated and sheathed non-armoured cable not taken inside the enclosureof an accessory, such as at a socket-outlet orlighting switch. (Note: Code C2 would apply ifunsheathed cores are accessible to touchand/or likely to come into contact withmetalwork)

• Bare protective conductor of an insulated andsheathed cable not sleeved with insulation,colour coded to indicate its function

• Electrical equipment having an inadequatedegree of ingress protection (IP rating) for theexternal influences likely to occur in thelocation, if this does not result in potentialdanger

• Socket-outlet mounted in such a position as toresult in potential damage to socket, plugand/or flex

• Absence of a notice indicating that theinstallation has wiring colours to two versions of BS 7671 (if appropriate)

• Absence of circuit identification details

Unmarked bonding conductor

Cable sheaths not taken inside non-conducting enclosure

60 A voltage-operated earth-leakage circuit-breaker.(Photo courtesy of RF Lighting)

4 See the Electrical Safety First Best Practice Guide No1 - replacing a consumer unit in domestic premises where lighting circuits haveno protective conductor.

Further investigation required

Observations that would usually require furtherinvestigation include:

• Characteristics of electricity supply (such asvoltage or external earth fault loop impedance)do not conform to supply industry norms.

Departures from the requirements of the currentedition of BS 7671 that do not give rise todanger or need improvement

Amendment 1 to BS 7671: 2008 no longer requiresdepartures from the requirements of the currentedition of BS 7671 that do not give rise to danger orrequire improvement to be included in conditionreports. Such departures include:

• Absence of a reliable earth connection to arecessed metallic back box of an insulatedaccessory, such as where there is no ‘earthingtail’ connecting the earthing terminal of theaccessory to the box, and the box does nothave a fixed lug that comes into contact withan earthed eyelet on the accessory

• Inadequate cross-sectional area of a mainprotective bonding conductor provided that theconductor is at least 6 mm2 and that there isno evidence of thermal damage

• Absence of supplementary bonding forinstalled Class II equipment where required(such as in a location containing a bath orshower), in case the equipment is replaced withClass I equipment in the future

• Main protective bonding to gas, water or otherservice pipe is inaccessible for inspection,testing and maintenance, or connection notmade before any branch pipework. (Note: The connection should preferably bewithin 600 mm of the meter outlet union or atthe point of entry to the building if the meter isexternal.)

• Protective conductor of a lighting circuit not (orincorrectly) terminated at the final circuitconnection point to a Class II (or insulated)item of equipment, such as at a switchmounting box or luminaire

• Switch lines not identified as line conductors atterminations (for example, a conductor havingblue insulation is not sleeved brown in switchesor lighting points)

• Circuit protective conductors or final circuitconductors in a consumer unit not arranged ormarked so that they can be identified forinspection, testing or alteration of theinstallation

• Installation not divided into an adequatenumber of circuits to minimise inconveniencefor safe operation, fault clearance, inspectionand testing

• Inadequate number of socket-outlets. (Code C3or, where appropriate C2, if extension leads runthrough doorways, walls or windows, or undercarpets, or are otherwise being used in anunsafe manner)

• Use of unsheathed flex for lighting pendants

• Cable core colours complying with a previousedition of BS 7671.



Main bonding connection not made before branch pipework

Items that are NOT departuresfrom the current edition of BS 7671

The following items are commonly included inelectrical installation condition reports as requiringremedial action, but are not departures from thecurrent edition of BS 7671, and should therefore notbe recorded:

• Absence of earthing and/or bonding to metallicsinks and baths (unless they are extraneous-conductive-parts in their own right)

• The use of rewireable fuses (where they provideadequate circuit protection)

• The use of circuit-breakers to BS 3871

• Absence of barriers inside a consumer unit(provided the cover is removable only with theuse of a key or tool)

• Absence of bonding connections to boilerpipework (where the pipework is not anextraneous-conductive-part in its own right)

• Shaver supply units installed in zone 2 of alocation containing a bath or shower andlocated where direct spray from a shower is unlikely

• Absence of switches on socket-outlets andfused connection units

• Any other observation not directly related toelectrical safety and hence to the suitability ofthe installation for continued service.


Consumer units having rewireable fuses can continue to providesatisfactory service

Consumer unit with circuit-breakers and fuses

Other issues

The following items are worthy of an appropriatenote in the electrical installation condition report, butshould not be given a Classification Code:

• The absence of a fire detection and alarmsystem (smoke/heat/carbon monoxidedetectors etc)

• The absence of an emergency lighting systemin a location normally requiring such a system(for example in a communal area of a block of flats)

• Combustible materials stored in close proximityto the electrical intake equipment (consumerunit/meter/service head)

Label warning against storing combustible materials near toelectrical equipment


Electrical Safety FirstUnit 331, Metal Box Factory, 30 Great Guildford Street, London SE1 0HSHelpline: 020 3463 5100 Email: [email protected] Web: www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.ukRegistered Charity (England and Wales) No.257376 (Scotland) No. SCO39990

Electrical Safety First is the UK charity dedicated to reducing deaths and injuries caused by electrical accidents. Our aim is to ensure everyone in the UK can use electricity safely

The latest versions of all the BestPracticeGuidesare available to download from www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

Best Prac ce Guide 4 (Issue 3) - Electrical Safety First · PDF fileBest Prac ce Guide 4...

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Transcript of Best Prac ce Guide 4 (Issue 3) - Electrical Safety First · PDF fileBest Prac ce Guide 4...