Test and inspection of industrial premise

[johnboy6083]

A box lid missing would more than likely be a code 2 or 3. It's not a 1 as you could shove your fingers in there, and you would be in no particular danger. By having no box lid on, there is an increased danger that the installation could be damaged, and become a code 1.

 

[gazroberts]

A box lid missing would more than likely be a code 2 or 3. It's not a 1 as you could shove your fingers in there, and you would be in no particular danger. By having no box lid on, there is an increased danger that the installation could be damaged, and become a code 1.

you definitely would be in danger as they are at waist height with 400V in choc blocks and no lid.

 

[johnboy6083]

Is that dangerous, or do choc blocks meet the definition of ip2x? I don't think the British standard test finger would light up.
this is my opinion, but I'd probably give it a code 2, rather than 1. I would replace the lid whilst I was on site too.

 

[gazroberts]

old imperial conduit and the screws are BA so gonna pick some up tomorrow, that has to be a code 1

 

[Deleted member 72666]

Just out of interest, how are you managing to do all this with all that asbestos lying around in the dist. boards?

 

[Deleted member 72666]

old imperial conduit and the screws are BA so gonna pick some up tomorrow, that has to be a code 1

Failing that you could always run a M5 tap down them and use metric screws(M5).

 

[gazroberts]

Just out of interest, how are you managing to do all this with all that asbestos lying around in the dist. boards?

www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a33.pdf or hold your breath when you pull them out

 

[Deleted member 72666]

www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a33.pdf or hold your breath when you pull them out

Well in that case you'll be 'cutting out' all the affected boards and replacing with new and that will involve a complete rewire to current BS7671! Somehow I don't think it'll happen as it's such a major change. Just be careful and take a look at the bigger picture because doing what you are doing not only puts you in danger but others too from the 'disturbed' asbestos.

 

[gazroberts]

Well in that case you'll be 'cutting out' all the affected boards and replacing with new and that will involve a complete rewire to current BS7671! Somehow I don't think it'll happen as it's such a major change. Just be careful and take a look at the bigger picture because doing what you are doing not only puts you in danger but others too from the 'disturbed' asbestos.

im not saying that i am doing like this, i thought you wanted some info for your self. how would you go about the asbestos issue, refuse to test or dust mask/paper suite and dispose of the correctly? 3 of factories i work at are old and have all these type fuses so i deal with them on a daily weekly basis and 2 are new (10 year old factories so all mcbs. My boss who is the maintenance manager is trying to push for a complete rewire, which is what i want as well as its me that works on / maintains them. This is why i asked some of the question i have asked, the asbestos issue could help our case even more. the company are doing quite well at the moment and seem to be spending a bit of money, so now is a good time to bring it up with higher management.

 

[Deleted member 72666]

im not saying that i am doing like this, i thought you wanted some info for your self. how would you go about the asbestos issue, refuse to test or dust mask/paper suite and dispose of the correctly? 3 of factories i work at are old and have all these type fuses so i deal with them on a daily weekly basis and 2 are new (10 year old factories so all mcbs. My boss who is the maintenance manager is trying to push for a complete rewire, which is what i want as well as its me that works on / maintains them. This is why i asked some of the question i have asked, the asbestos issue could help our case even more. the company are doing quite well at the moment and seem to be spending a bit of money, so now is a good time to bring it up with higher management.

Sorry! It does read back like I'm telling you what to do when in fact I was trying to bring the subject to the fore as I face the exact same problems. I am also an electrical engineer who is responsible for the electrical maintenance of production machinery and fixed wiring. We too have a few of these old boards on site and although like you have been on an Asbestos awareness course I'm still a little confused as what to do when it comes to testing and indeed what to do when a fuse blows due to say overload conditions, do we just repair the fuse (kitted out in the correct disposables and masks...which is the method I currently use) or do we replace the dist. board which will require every cct. on that board to comply with the current version of BS7671? I know the correct thing to do would be to go down the refurb route but it would be very impractical to do so.
I will have to inspect and test these eventually but have been saving them until last but I've managed to keep the insurance peeps happy for the time being by having a thermo graphics survey done, but just like in your case I think these old installations will fall at the IR tests.

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im not saying that i am doing like this, i thought you wanted some info for your self. how would you go about the asbestos issue, refuse to test or dust mask/paper suite and dispose of the correctly? 3 of factories i work at are old and have all these type fuses so i deal with them on a daily weekly basis and 2 are new (10 year old factories so all mcbs. My boss who is the maintenance manager is trying to push for a complete rewire, which is what i want as well as its me that works on / maintains them. This is why i asked some of the question i have asked, the asbestos issue could help our case even more. the company are doing quite well at the moment and seem to be spending a bit of money, so now is a good time to bring it up with higher management.

Sorry! It does read back like I'm telling you what to do when in fact I was trying to bring the subject to the fore as I face the exact same problems. I am also an electrical engineer who is responsible for the electrical maintenance of production machinery and fixed wiring. We too have a few of these old boards on site and although like you have been on an Asbestos awareness course I'm still a little confused as what to do when it comes to testing and indeed what to do when a fuse blows due to say overload conditions, do we just repair the fuse (kitted out in the correct disposables and masks...which is the method I currently use) or do we replace the dist. board which will require every cct. on that board to comply with the current version of BS7671? I know the correct thing to do would be to go down the refurb route but it would be very impractical to do so.
I will have to inspect and test these eventually but have been saving them until last but I've managed to keep the insurance peeps happy for the time being by having a thermo graphics survey done, but just like in your case I think these old installations will fall at the IR tests.

 

[Rockstar94]

I currently work for a very large national company that are very good at H&S awareness and training, before you started work you should of completed your RAMS and part of that would be getting an asbestos register from the client. Get a specialist to remove. Not just dust mask and disposable overall job... I know the H&S stuff is alot of scare tactics but don't take it lightly. I've worked for companies without any asbestos awareness and training and now severely concerned not for myself but my family and kids to come. If I go its no loss to me, but how bout the kids?

 

[ian.settle1]

C&G 1, 2 and C certificate and ONC in electrical engineering, 16th edition and 17th update, test and inspection 2391, pat testing, Compex Ex1 - 4 and a 50 meter swimming badge. I have only ever done industrial.

You should be OK for working on ships with this qualification then

 

[gazroberts]

I currently work for a very large national company that are very good at H&S awareness and training, before you started work you should of completed your RAMS and part of that would be getting an asbestos register from the client. Get a specialist to remove. Not just dust mask and disposable overall job... I know the H&S stuff is alot of scare tactics but don't take it lightly. I've worked for companies without any asbestos awareness and training and now severely concerned not for myself but my family and kids to come. If I go its no loss to me, but how bout the kids?

we have got an asbestos register but its a non invasive one, so dosnt include fuse boards ect, i have done the asbestos awarness course but i thinks that the companies get out clause if anything happens in years to come, the advise given on the course is to damp it down to stop the dust / fibers i dont think it would be a good idea start spraying water in 30 way Bill board LOL, i have been pulling these fuses for years without any mask or anything so have i allready done the damage? long term i think it would be a good idea to get rid of them, as we are with other asbestos in the factory.

 

[Engineer54]

Just out of interest, how are you managing to do all this with all that asbestos lying around in the dist. boards?

Here we go again!! The death bell rings to anyone who dares pull a re-wirable fuse!!! :sleep1:

 

[IQ Electrical]

Here we go again!! The death bell rings to anyone who dares pull a re-wirable fuse!!! :sleep1:

Ha, it does always sound like that but it's a fair point to raise if there are masses of remedials to do and maybe BS3036 boards to be replaced (before the death bell rings).