Fitting Unswitched Fused Spurs For Alarm Systems

[clivesorts]

Hi all

I run a Security installation company in Middx.

For the last couple of years we have used Electricians to fit our fused spurs for alarm & CCTV installations.

Can someone please advise me of the Regs for the installation of fused spurs as I want to write notes in our employee contracts that they cannot & must not attempt to install a fused spur. None of our Engineers are qualified to fit spurs.

Thank you

clive sorts

[amicus]

Hi all

I run a Security installation company in Middx.

For the last couple of years we have used Electricians to fit our fused spurs for alarm & CCTV installations.

Can someone please advise me of the Regs for the installation of fused spurs as I want to write notes in our employee contracts that they cannot & must not attempt to install a fused spur. None of our Engineers are qualified to fit spurs.

Thank you

clive sorts

Electrical IEE regs BS7671 are a little confusing sometimes but inshort the person doing the work needs to be suitably qualified and also be deemed a comptent person.Depending on how the spur is installed it could attract a minor works or installation certification.Also the work would probably need RCD protection in some form as req.The work would req testing and the results recorded on the cert.This work would also be notifiable to a regulatindg body NIC EIC or building control.Hope this helps.

[clivesorts]

Electrical IEE regs BS7671 are a little confusing sometimes but inshort the person doing the work needs to be suitably qualified and also be deemed a comptent person.Depending on how the spur is installed it could attract a minor works or installation certification.Also the work would probably need RCD protection in some form as req.The work would req testing and the results recorded on the cert.This work would also be notifiable to a regulatindg body NIC EIC or building control.Hope this helps.

Hi amicus

Thank you for the Regs number.

So in theory, only an Electrician can fit a fused spur ?

Is it then illegal for a security Engineer to fit a spur ? Surely suitably qualified means that the person has undergone a " course " to safely fit the spur. A competent person, who regulates who a competent person is ?

Thank you

clive sorts

[amicus]

Hi amicus

Thank you for the Regs number.

So in theory, only an Electrician can fit a fused spur ?

Is it then illegal for a security Engineer to fit a spur ? Surely suitably qualified means that the person has undergone a " course " to safely fit the spur. A competent person, who regulates who a competent person is ?

Thank you

clive sorts

Hi No it is not illegal for an alarm engineer to do the work,but it comes under the scope of part"p" of the building regulations.These tell you what is needed.A course to fit a spur unit would need to be coupled to an understanding of the "17th edition"regs and the ability to test out a domestic instalation as req.

[hpotter]

A one day course will give you/your engs the "competent person" status.

Pay for itself over & over again.

http://www.tavcom.com/training/PDF/mc_1.pdf

[magpye]

Sorry to butt in, how about replacing an existing, (broken back box) spur during a PMV?

[lawandorder]

Sorry to butt in, how about replacing an existing, (broken back box) spur during a PMV?

Doing a like for like replacement is not notifiable under Part p.

[esp-protocol]

1. Part P doesn't apply to the addition of a fused spur on to an existing ring circuit if outside of a bathroom, kitchen or "special location" so you don't need "Part P Qualifications" unless you are installing a new dedicated circuit.

2. You need to be competent to do the works, not necessarily a qualified electrician, but you will need a qualified knowledge of electrical installations and the ability to thoroughly check a circuit for safety and to be able to issue a minor works certificate.

However the electrical regs do require all fixed electrical equipment to have a double pole means of isolation to allow safe working (there are a couple of mitigating circumstances such as the type electrical supply and earthing arrangement but..........) to keep it simple, I would always fit a fused spur with double pole secret key switch or similar.

As Hpotter says... there are various firms around offering training......

[DirectFS]

BS7671:2002, IEE Wiring Regulations, 17th Edition.

Your local college should run a course which will certify your engineers competent to fit and test a fused spur connection. However, that will have limitations, due to Part P, and due to the regs themselves, in certain circumstances only. Any spur fitted must be certificated - but that's been true for years now.

Look for advice from your local Tech College - most run courses for "competent persons". Just try not to put any end stations in people's WC's.

Also, someone said below about fitting "secret key switches" - you can buy double pole unswitched fused spurs easily enough - so that seems like over engineering at best to me, as there is no requirement to retro-fit double pole protection onto existing systems. MK do a neon version, MK377 or one without, MK337.

Bill.

Hi all

I run a Security installation company in Middx.

For the last couple of years we have used Electricians to fit our fused spurs for alarm & CCTV installations.

Can someone please advise me of the Regs for the installation of fused spurs as I want to write notes in our employee contracts that they cannot & must not attempt to install a fused spur. None of our Engineers are qualified to fit spurs.

Thank you

clive sorts

[james.wilson]

However the electrical regs do require all fixed electrical equipment to have a double pole means of isolation to allow safe working (there are a couple of mitigating circumstances such as the type electrical supply and earthing arrangement but..........) to keep it simple, I would always fit a fused spur with double pole secret key switch or similar.

you sure thats not just a 5839 requirement?