Would a swimming pool and/or DIY work put off electricians?

[Rob6502]

I have been getting rejections, from commercial websites for quotes, such as "...does not meet the regulations [(electrical)] for this category..."

I assume that it is because a part P professional won't touch a DIY installation? (circa 2004).

If so, then is it possible for me to force the DNO to replace e.g. the ELBC with an isolator? (because the tails from the 100A meter to the (circa 1955 ELCB) are only 16mm) - currently they refuse to do this, they said "it was on the domestic side".

 

[Darkwood]

It seems that the consensus here, from this small sample is that electricians are generally afraid of swimming pools - so am I, but mainly from drowning in them, not by electrocution.

But as a layperson, it seems to me that there is more danger from a domestic shower (the element is just above your head, the water is hitting your head, the earth is around your feet).

At Rob6502 -

You opening post (OP) isn't very clear and its difficult to understand what you are asking and or why you have been rejected.

If you have done work that does not comply then you will not get the relevent certification for it regardless of who you ask unless they are not legit. You have been asked and had opportunity to explain further exactly what you have done here in regards to any electrical work as there must be a reason why companies will not issue you any certification.
You make a statement that no certificate is needed yet you haven't yet told us anything about any works that you have done yourself, surely if your coming on this forum for advice then please listen to the questions that you are asked and respond accordingly.

When someone inspect work by others and writes up a report to pass the work and sign it off they actually take a large portion of responsibility for the safety of anyone with regards to the works they have deemed safe, this applies to any electricial works be it wiring an outside light to a swimming pool install, so why are you surprised or frustrated when we express that such works need the correct testing and do have to meet strict regulation, especially when we are discussing swimming pools as these have there own specific section in the regulations as do showers etc.

Can you please provide details of exactly what electrical works you have done here and what reasons you have been told the installation doesn't comply hence you cannot get anyone to sign it off.

Failing this the thread will be closed as its clear you are not interested in the advice you're been given or answering the questions put to you.

 

[Diddy]

Putting this bluntly - IF YOU have a swimming pool and have done some electrical work in the pool/over the pool or even within a defined distance from the pool (found in BS 7671) then you either need to have it checked and tested by a properly qualified and registered electrician, If you fail to do this then you will be held liable for anything that happens in that area not just financially but also criminally.
Second point there would be absolutely no circumstances where a pool maintenance company or any other pool specialist company will work on or near the pool if they cant see the proper documentation.
Lastly if we are talking about a pool that other people use...or god forbid members of the public use it then you really are breaking so many "rules" that have actual laws to back them up it's just not even worth thinking about, we are talking in the realms of unlimited fines (I have seen some eye watering amounts)and prison sentences.
If after all that you still decide to do some electrical diy on a swimming pool then to be honest you are only on here to either get someone to back up your thinking of "what harm can it do" or you are on a wind up of some sort...if not then take the advice given and get a professional in.

 

[ruston]

But not one like this.

 

[Andy78]

but any competant person can do a eicr, if the insurers didnt need a governing body registered spark with suitable plc then whats stoping him doing a "satisfactory" eicr himself i ask you.?

What's stopping him ? At a guess, lack of competence.

 

[Rob6502]

Darkwood said

Can you please provide details of exactly what electrical works you have done here and what reasons you have been told the installation doesn't comply hence you cannot get anyone to sign it off.

Failing this the thread will be closed as its clear you are not interested in the advice you're been given or answering the questions put to you.

I am trying to get a feel for how to proceed e.g. am I going to be prosecuted by default? I don’t think so - thanks to all the replies on this thread, including yours.

Evidently I am afraid to publish everything (or to admit to having done anything) publicly for the same reasons, so even though that is unlikely, why take the risk at all?

Also I learn something: it would be fun to profile the RCD response - I never thought of that, as you guessed correctly.

My tone is light-hearted, not because I don’t care but because I do: because it is enjoyable - I am a bit ---- like that. Once a thing becomes your job, well, it loses its appeal somewhat

But please close the thread anyway, you have all been very helpful - and reassuring.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Absolutely no idea what this thread is about!

 

[snowhead]

I am trying to get a feel for how to proceed e.g. am I going to be prosecuted by default?

You won't be prosecuted for being in possession of a non compliant electrical installation.
You will be prosecuted if anyone is harmed as a result of using such an installation and you can't show who did the work or that the work has been subsequently tested.

You will be jailed if someone dies or is seriously harmed as a result of non compliant work that you have done.

.

 

[Darkwood]

Darkwood said
I am trying to get a feel for how to proceed e.g. am I going to be prosecuted by default? I don’t think so - thanks to all the replies on this thread, including yours.

Evidently I am afraid to publish everything (or to admit to having done anything) publicly for the same reasons, so even though that is unlikely, why take the risk at all?

Also I learn something: it would be fun to profile the RCD response - I never thought of that, as you guessed correctly.

My tone is light-hearted, not because I don’t care but because I do: because it is enjoyable - I am a bit ---- like that. Once a thing becomes your job, well, it loses its appeal somewhat

But please close the thread anyway, you have all been very helpful - and reassuring.

You are somewhat anonymous to members as you have only revealed a tag name and a general area so I doubt revealing the extent of your work would have anyone knocking on your door anytime soon, expressing what parts of the work you have done would have given us info with which to give a more definitive response possibly with actual regulation clauses for you to look up, with regards to RCD's, these are often in place as additional protection and cover an installation that already has strong guidelines, the issue with swimming pools, spar's, Hot-tubs etc is you are effectively reducing your bodies natural resistance to Electricity which places you are a higher risk, this can be from anything local to the pool that uses electric and not necessarally part of the pool install, also to take into account is earthing systems, risks of potentials developing between supply earth and the actual true earth if the swimming pool is outside the original equipotential zone can be a very real danger even though these are not actually classed as a fault... most of these very real issues are not even realised or understood by most DIYers and unfortunaely some so called 'competent' electricians.

As requested I'll close the thread and please do post up any queries in future and we will try to help but try be more forthcoming with details if you wish to get a better tailored response.