MARK HARDACRE
When referring to a PIR I assume you mean an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report). Also referred to as a periodic. PIR I assume is referring to a Periodic Inspection & Reporting (The Act). Whichever, it's best to get this terminology cleared up. Notifying work must be done before the work begins as it is classed as building work to the (LA) Local Authority. The guy who did this work should have done this prior. Periodic reporting is not covered under Part P so I can only assume this was done to produce you a certificate without notifying. Bear in mind notification can cost 2-400 quid with a given LA. EICR are similar but not the same in the scope of inspections and test results they produce. There is a list of work hat can be done with out notifying under Part P. A New Consumer Unit is not one of them for sure. Third party certification is allowed in England, not in Wales. There are two different Part P's for England and Wales. So it depends where this job was done. But in any case a new Consumer Unit is notifiable and the paperwork you should have received, should have been an EIC an (Electrical Installation Certificate) this is required for new installs including new CU on old circuits. The purpose of a EICR is to determine the safety of an electrical installation for continued use, to be passed as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. One is recommended every 10 years for domestic properties. 5-6 for rented (with conditions) unfortunately this is not statutory (legally required) at present as Gas checks are. Whether and installation is Satisfactory or not can differ between electricians. What happens initially, is a thorough visual inspection of the installation and its condition. This is part 1. Part 2 is a full schedule of electrical tests of each circuit, consisting of a number of tests (8-9 x number of circuits). During the inspection if any bad negative observations are made they are classified as C1, C2, C3. C1 being dangerous and C3 requiring improvement. I won't go into the exact official terminology here, but you get my drift? (Rhetorical) Periodic Inspection and Testing can be changed by a supervisor once checked and verified by the 'inspector', but only in rare cases is this done (perhaps with large companies doing volume or any company wanting a 2 stage check and verification process). The reasons for a fail (Unsatisfactory Verdict) could be due to a number of factors EFLI (measurement/s) being too high, an accumulation of C2 + C3 observations, C1 is found, Lack of protection for required circuits in dangerous environments. A report can be unsatisfactory if an accumulation of C2's or C3's are discovered. Or it can also fail if a C1 is found. It is worth mentioning that older installations from the 50's 60's or 70's can have 'characteristics' in them that where deemed acceptable at the time but aren't now, due to newer improved regulations. This however doesn't mean that they're a reason to fail a property, but you should always er on the side of caution and safety when assessing these conditions. For e.g. A lighting circuit with no earth. Common during the 50's as lighting was double insulated (not requiring earth) however although the his may be classed as a C3 as 'requiring improvement' I would Mark is as a C2 but overall unsatisfactory. Because you may present the report with a C3 -satisfactory and new tenants/ owners would come in not reading the observations and replace the light with metallic fittings requiring and Earth. This would then become a C1. See my point? I hope this has been useful to you. There's a EIC publication out there on Periodic Inspection & Testing should you require more information. Regards. M Hardacre - Fuse Electrical Services
