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Inspecting with no previous records: what changesNo records. What has to happen first?
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Exactly as they are on the site.
There are no previous records. How does that change the inspection of the existing installation?
- aEvery concealed cable, and every cable in a roof void, must be inspected
- bA fixed 10% sample is taken until bad results turn up
- cAll equipment is dismantled
- dSome exploratory work is needed first, to trace circuits and identify their controls
Answer d.
- Sampling means inspecting part of a circuit or installation instead of all of it. It would be unreasonable to unscrew every socket on a 10-socket ring or lift every floorboard. GN3 lists points to help you decide your sample. A fixed "always 10%" is the wrong attitude, so b is out.
- a and c are out. You don't rip off plaster or tiles, and you don't dismantle a client's equipment that they use to earn a living. Guidance Note 3 says to avoid dismantling where it could cause damage.
- d: on a poorly labelled installation you don't know which breaker feeds what. You need to trace the circuits first, so you can isolate a socket before unscrewing it. The book says that where there are no records, in all but the simplest domestic installations, the inspector may first need to spend time tracing systems and circuits.
GN3 · 3.8.2 · exploratory work / tracing circuits where there are no records · p.120
GN3 · Section 3 · avoid dismantling that could cause damage · top of p.113 GN3 · 3.8.3 · sampling guidance
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- 18th Edition
- Building Regs
- PAT
- Fundamental Inspection & Testing
- Initial Verification
- Periodic Inspection & Testing