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Coding, basically!

whjohnson
Assume a scenario where everything else in a domestic property is satisfactory but with the following exceptions -

Consumer unit is plastic but not in an escape route.

Consumer unit is MK 16th ed split load, with single RCD protection on one side but with the mcbs replaced by RCBOs for all circuits on the other side.

No surge protection present, and all other devices function correctly.

Tails are 16mm but there a 60A fuse in the cut out - verified during a meter change recently.


So, what, if any coding should be applied? I am at a complete loss to fail it in any respect.

  • 0


    My take would be that the owner should be responsible for a good visual walk round post -let to ensure that no physical damage has occurred to any accessories or appliance flexes


    I agree, and that needs to be done after EVERY group leaves the holiday home. Are the smoke alarms still working and  the CO alarms. Are  they still in place? Has somebody borrowed the fire extinguisher or fire blanket? Has somebody spilled liquid down the wall heater or inside it?


    etc. etc. etc.


    Z.


  • 0
    whjohnson:

    My take would be that the owner should be responsible for a good visual walk round post -let to ensure that no physical damage has occurred to any accessories or appliance flexes, but outside of that, there should be no other requirement save the usual 5 year checks..

    I also agree with checking the functionality of any fire detection apparatus, even if this is just pressing the 'Test' button on the smoke alarms.


    It would seem to be a sensible part of housekeeping. The accommodation needs to be cleaned, and beds made up, etc. between customers.


  • 0
    Zoom -[q] Has somebody borrowed the fire extinguisher or fire blanket? Has somebody spilled liquid down the wall heater or inside it?


    Be careful what you are undertakng responsibility for in terms of risk - the items and checks you mention are beyond the remit of BS7671.




  • 0
    I agree with Zoom that 5 years is too long a period IMHO for holiday lets. But every change of "tenant" would be OTT,.

    Maybe say 12 months might be a good idea.

    But the visual careful quick look by a responsible person is the main order of the at the end of each holiday stay.

    In other words someone who knows what to look for by training/experience etc.

    CYA and do what is reasonable. You could still fail to catch all situations but you could well see most things.

    It all depends on what is reasonable in all circumstances instead of doing nothing at all.
  • 0
    whjohnson:

    Zoom -[q] Has somebody borrowed the fire extinguisher or fire blanket? Has somebody spilled liquid down the wall heater or inside it?


    Be careful what you are undertakng responsibility for in terms of risk - the items and checks you mention are beyond the remit of BS7671.




     


    Those matters are the responsibility of the house owner or letting agent, but if I notice the deficiencies I will mention them to the owner "off the record". Some owners live far away from their holiday homes and let remotely. There lies a danger.


    Z.


  • 0
    Just be careful that you won't be held to account for the one time you forget to tell them and something happens, none of us are infallible - You'll be on the hook if they turn around and say "Well, he usually flags up problems but this time he forgot to remind me, so I suppose it's his fault.........."
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    An interesting discussion on holiday lets and something I had been considering myself.  Table 3.2 in IET Guidance Note 3 Inspection and Testing book does not list holiday homes which have weekly or fortnightly changeovers.  There must be many tens of thousands of them in the UK and I've stayed in a number ranging from Cornwall to near the the top of Scotland myself.    That table is for 'Recommended initial frequencies of inspection of electrical installations' after which I believe it is the responsibility of the competent person i.e. the electrician to recommend the date of the next one.   


    For normal domestic properties that table recommends a 'routine check' annually and 'inspection and testing' at changeover of occupancy or 5 yearly.  


    In my opinion the changeover manager / owner or possibly even the cleaner with some basic training contributes to routine checks which includes looking for breakages, signs of overheating etc.  That supports any more formal maintenance regime in place.  I'm a Building Services Manager involved in the maintenance of buildings and would personally be happy with a recommendation from a competent electrician somewhere between one and five years for the inspection and testing though somewhere in the middle would probably make me comfortable.  


    Paul

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