Caravan on site

[cliffed]

Builders using caravan for site office on a house renovation… he uses every where just plugs it into a Rcd socket.
My thoughts are special location should apply… you can imagine the abuse to come.

 

[pc1966]

There is a prohibition on TN-C-S use on building sites and caravans, so yes that is potentially risky. But having seen the condition of cables and connectors on a few sites recently I think the open PEN fault is probably low down on the likely risks

At least they are using a RCD, thankful for small mercies!

 

[cliffed]

There is a prohibition on TN-C-S use on building sites and caravans, so yes that is potentially risky. But having seen the condition of cables and connectors on a few sites recently I think the open PEN fault is probably low down on the likely risks

At least they are using a RCD, thankful for small mercies!

How true I’m just going write a report & recommendations it’s paperwork to maybe wipe your backside with…it’s a sorry state of affairs out there??

 

[westward10]

As far as I am aware there is no prohibition for the use of TN-C-S on a construction site but the requirements for its use would be very difficult to maintain.

 

[loz2754]

Builders using caravan for site office on a house renovation… he uses every where just plugs it into a Rcd socket.
My thoughts are special location should apply… you can imagine the abuse to come.

Section 704 construction sites:
"This section does not apply to installations in administrative locations of construction sites (e.g. offices, cloakrooms, meeting rooms, canteens, restaurants, dormitories, toilets), where the general requirements of Parts 1 to 6 apply."

Section 708 caravan/ camping parks does not apply.

Section 717 Mobile or Transportable Units could be interpreted as applying (examples of units include workshops, offices etc.)
If so, then, 717.411.4 would apply:
"TN system- a PME earthing facility shall not be used as the means of earthing for an installation falling within the scope of this section except where:
1. The installation is under the supervision of a skilled or instructed person, competent in such work, and
2. The suitability and effectiveness of the means of earthing has been confirmed before the connection is made."

Section 721 concerns itself with the requirements mainly for inside the caravan, except to say that the connection to the caravan shall be by a BS EN 60309-2 plug.

 

[loz2754]

As far as I am aware there is no prohibition for the use of TN-C-S on a construction site but the requirements for its use would be very difficult to maintain.

704.411.3.1 applies:
"A PME earthing facility shall not be used for the means of earthing for an installation falling within the scope of this section unless all extraneous-conductive-parts are reliably connected to the main earthing terminal in accordance with Regulation 411.3.1.2" (which refers to protective equipotential bonding).

So, as you say, not prohibited but may not be practicable, as the installation of services may be an ongoing process throughout the building construction.

 

[westward10]

Whilst PME is TN-C-S, TN-C-S is not necessarily PME?

 

[loz2754]

Whilst PME is TN-C-S, TN-C-S is not necessarily PME?

True

 

[timhoward]

.

Section 717 Mobile or Transportable Units could be interpreted as applying (examples of units include workshops, offices etc.)

I thought that too but scope for that section does explicitly mention excluding caravans…without concern for their actual use.

I was also musing that a lot of people plug their caravan in on the drive via a 16a to 3 pin adapter to trickle charge the leisure battery. Does that make their drive a special location?
I don’t think it does.

 

[brianmoooore]

.

I thought that too but scope for that section does explicitly mention excluding caravans…without concern for their actual use.

I was also musing that a lot of people plug their caravan in on the drive via a 16a to 3 pin adapter to trickle charge the leisure battery. Does that make their drive a special location?
I don’t think it does.

There are loads of people that use their touring caravan as an extra room or as an office plugged into a TNC-S house supply.
Come to think of it, my own son has spent the last eighteen months (left home when my wife began 'shielding') living in my touring caravan, outside my daughter's house, which is TNC-S.

 

[timhoward]

There are loads of people that use their touring caravan as an extra room or as an office plugged into a TNC-S house supply.

During lockdown with 4 kids at home my caravan became my office connected in this way too!

 

[cliffed]

During lockdown with 4 kids at home my caravan became my office connected in this way too!

Crikey

 

[cliffed]

Section 704 construction sites:
"This section does not apply to installations in administrative locations of construction sites (e.g. offices, cloakrooms, meeting rooms, canteens, restaurants, dormitories, toilets), where the general requirements of Parts 1 to 6 apply."

Section 708 caravan/ camping parks does not apply.

Section 717 Mobile or Transportable Units could be interpreted as applying (examples of units include workshops, offices etc.)
If so, then, 717.411.4 would apply:
"TN system- a PME earthing facility shall not be used as the means of earthing for an installation falling within the scope of this section except where:
1. The installation is under the supervision of a skilled or instructed person, competent in such work, and
2. The suitability and effectiveness of the means of earthing has been confirmed before the connection is made."

Section 721 concerns itself with the requirements mainly for inside the caravan, except to say that the connection to the caravan shall be by a BS EN 60309-2 plug.

Thanks so no real problem