Commercial site query.

[Dave Appleby]

Sorry for a bit of a long question.

For what it's worth this is Scotland.

I have been asked to quote a very large job in an old commercial office space. Site is being taken over and converted to a community church.

Work is of a large scale, removing a lot of wiring as multiple walls being removed and at present I have asked to see drawings as they were hoping to just wing it and just go ahead.

The building is about 40 years old and has been vacant for at least 7 years. In this time at least 2 water pipes have burst in the ceiling void leading to water damage in the bathrooms.

Supply is via 2 3 phase distribution boards with 96 cct on total. In Last inspection was 2007 and was recommended for a retest in 2010.

They called last night with an urgent request to get the bathroom lighting and one office lit so they can run the food bank.

The building is being taken on a 15 year lease.

At the moment I'm uncomfortable doing anything without at least the system being tested. Especially given liability issues if something goes smokey.

I've also asked to see the asbestos report as the roof looks like the old crunchy wool stuff. Following this I was assured by the client that the landlords solicitor had assured him it was ok.

So my questions are.

1) I feel that a test should be done prior to the building being handed over as I do not want to be the responsible party. Am I being a primadonna?

2) Any suggestions as to how to proceed?

3) Shouldn't the building have an EICR at the landlords cost before handover to a new tenant?

Client is not being evasive, however is a little naive.

Any suggestions or advice welcome.

Happy Monday.

Regards
Dave

 

[littlespark]

Difficult, if you know it’s going to be a good job once it gets going, and I think some others might just say walk away....

you have to sit down with the customer, or email them questions regarding what they need. Tell them that if they don’t want it tested straight away, you’re only signing for work you do to get what they need done first. Anything else could be isolated and made safe until they decide when it needs done.
it sounds like a lot will be stripped out anyway.

What did the 2007 test pick up on?

Asbestos roof will only be a problem if it’s disturbed. The premises should be on an asbestos register somewhere

 

[Dave Appleby]

Difficult, if you know it’s going to be a good job once it gets going, and I think some others might just say walk away....

you have to sit down with the customer, or email them questions regarding what they need. Tell them that if they don’t want it tested straight away, you’re only signing for work you do to get what they need done first. Anything else could be isolated and made safe until they decide when it needs done.
it sounds like a lot will be stripped out anyway.

What did the 2007 test pick up on?

Asbestos roof will only be a problem if it’s disturbed. The premises should be on an asbestos register somewhere

2007 test I only know from the board labels.
Sparkie in question is comfortably in retirement in Spain. Git!

 

[snowhead]

1) I feel that a test should be done prior to the building being handed over as I do not want to be the responsible party. Am I being a primadonna?

2) Any suggestions as to how to proceed?

3) Shouldn't the building have an EICR at the landlords cost before handover to a new tenant?

It's a Commercial Building so the recent legislation doesnt apply.
Presumably it's a full repair and maintain lease?

The simplest way to get the food bank up and running it to isolate the whole installation and run new circuit(s) just for the office and WC.

 

[Dave Appleby]

It's a Commercial Building so the recent legislation doesnt apply.
Presumably it's a full repair and maintain lease?

Thanks Snowhead.

That's the bit I couldn't find anywhere.

 

[Vortigern]

What strikes me first about your post is that you "do not want to be the responsible party" You are the responsible party as soon as you undertake work on the building/installation. This is what we do as electricians. Now you have taken up the reins it is up to you to guide/tell the client what is needed to ensure safety electrically. You must do what guidance, regs, EAWR, best practice say. In your shoes I would test anything before working on it or installing anything. Primadonna, diva? Hmmm, don't think so it is a serious business. I think a firm hand with the clients as it sounds like they need to be guided and informed.

 

[snowhead]

It's quite often a condition of Commercial tennacy that the Tennant has an electrical inspection done at their cost and provide copies to the Landlord.

And you need a copy of an Asbestos report in your hand, not the say so of someone who said someone said it was O.K.
Your client should be paying for an Asbestos survey for their own benefit as well.

I don't think the the community church realises what they have taken on.

 

[Dave Appleby]

What strikes me first about your post is that you "do not want to be the responsible party" You are the responsible party as soon as you undertake work on the building/installation. This is what we do as electricians. Now you have taken up the reins it is up to you to guide/tell the client what is needed to ensure safety electrically. You must do what guidance, regs, EAWR, best practice say. In your shoes I would test anything before working on it or installing anything. Primadonna, diva? Hmmm, don't think so it is a serious business. I think a firm hand with the clients as it sounds like they need to be guided and informed.

Thanks.
Wise words indeed.

I haven't actually done anything yet other than walk round and poke my nose in.

I'm having a chat on site later so will take all the above with me. Unfortunately, the pastor is very enthusiastic about their new venture and being stern feels a bit like kicking Bambi.

 

[Dave Appleby]

It's quite often a condition of Commercial tennacy that the Tennant has an electrical inspection done at their cost and provide copies to the Landlord.

And you need a copy of an Asbestos report in your hand, not the say so of someone who said someone said it was O.K.
Your client should be paying for an Asbestos survey for their own benefit as well.

I don't think the the community church realises what they have taken on.

I concur. That's exactly my feeling.

 

[Wilko]

Unfortunately, the pastor is very enthusiastic about their new venture and being stern feels a bit like kicking Bambi.

Yes, no kicking Bambi .
But with the building’s electrical installation in poor condition it’s return to service will not be straightforward. My thought is to isolate the installation and start dead testing to see what might actually be safe to energise.