confusion re lighting in my newly aquired shop PLEASE HELP

[gildedpleasure]

hi there,
im about to open my own shop. there is currently alot of lighting cable that runs down through a suspended ceiling. i am pulling the ceiling down and putting up a new plaster board ceiling. i have a qualified electrician who has been in to look at switch boards current wiring etc. We are able to use existing switches, trips, and wiring and apparently run wiring circuit off exisitng set up. My question is if this electrician is qualified what do i need from him after the work has been done, and do i need anyone from local authority etc to come out and check it.Please excuse my ignorance but this is the first time for me.
Many thanks
steven

 

[telectrix]

you need an installation certificate ( EIC ) from him, complete with a shedule of test results. if circuits are just being altered, no new circuits, then it's a minor electrical works certificate. you don't need anyone from building control as it's not domestic.

edit: and i wonder why you are going to fit a plasterboard ceiling in a shop. any further electrical work will be much harder and more expensive than with a suspended ceiling.

 

[gildedpleasure]

thanks for your input, re ceiling im opening a hair salon and a suspended ceiling cannot accomodate the lighting i need and looks much tidier if boarded. So once installed and i have EIC i do not have to have anyone else in to check the electrics?

 

[Guest112]

no the certificate will be relevant to the work being done, although surely opening a new shop a condition report should be completed before opening to confirm everything is safe and of course for insurance purposes,

perhaps someone else can confirm about the condition report???

atb

 

[telectrix]

an EICR would be of benefit. all depends on the extent of the work being carried out . if extensive alterations are made, the EIC may be sufficient.

 

[Paul.M]

"no the certificate will be relevant to the work being done, although surely opening a new shop a condition report should be completed before opening to confirm everything is safe and of course for insurance purposes,

perhaps someone else can confirm about the condition report???"


Yes if its a requirement from the insurance company or a discount is given, if not no need to do an EICR for any other circuits that the shop has.

As for the described work, MWC. Only extending an existing circuit.


PS. Good luck in your new shop



atb[/QUOTE]

 

[accordfire]

hi there,
im about to open my own shop. there is currently alot of lighting cable that runs down through a suspended ceiling. i am pulling the ceiling down and putting up a new plaster board ceiling. i have a qualified electrician who has been in to look at switch boards current wiring etc. We are able to use existing switches, trips, and wiring and apparently run wiring circuit off exisitng set up. My question is if this electrician is qualified what do i need from him after the work has been done, and do i need anyone from local authority etc to come out and check it.Please excuse my ignorance but this is the first time for me.
Many thanks
steven

If he's a qualified electrician, then he should be able to provide the certification you require. As to whether you need to inform anyone, that depends on whether or not the work being done is subject to building control - generally, for commercial premises though, there is not a need to notify outwith that criteria.

It sounds as though (and as others have said) that you're putting in a new ceiling but using the same cable in essence to supply your new lighting - that being the case, only an EIC or MWC will be required.

I'm not sure why you think a suspended ceiling won't accommodate the lighting you require - unless, of course they're like a ton weight each or something - but hey, that's your buck, as they say.

I'd look to an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) if required by your insurers (more often the case these days), if you're only having very minor work done electrically, or if any of the current installation is suspect or looks to be dated. It may be worth it if you're leasing the property on any sort of longer term basis too or if a landlord is responsible for your property - get him to have an EICR carried out on H&S grounds...