Codebreakers #96

Need help with cracking those EICR codes? The technical team at NAPIT, with the help of the 18th Edition Codebreakers publication, answer your latest coding queries. Click on the photos for a closer look!

JUICE ELECTRICAL SERVICES: £524K WILL GET YOU A FOUR-BED DETACHED HOUSE IN AN EXCLUSIVE GATED DEVELOPMENT. IT WON’T GET YOU A COMPETENT SPARK, HOWEVER.

When considering the electrical design for a property, whether it is a new build or a retrofit installation, the location of the wiring accessories and equipment must be considered in relation to Building Regulations along with BS 7671.

The placement of the downlight and cable within a ceiling must take into consideration the location of any structural joists and beams. Under Approved Document A (Structure) it is not permissible to remove parts of the joists, as shown in these pictures, as this would exceed the maximum notch depth.

This type of installation has been carried out without correct planning to ensure that the downlights are positioned in between the joists. Clashes with joists should not be an unexpected occurrence if a survey of the ceiling void has been carried out.

Whenever such a clash happens the installer should re-mark the lighting layout to miss the joists, not just blindly carry on with the installation. Just because it can be made to fit does not mean it will comply with Building Regulations and BS 7671.

Apart from the highlighted structural issues, there is an increased risk of the spread of fire with contact between the downlight and the timber surfaces.

During periodic inspection and testing, this downlight installation was discovered when a sample inspection was being carried out. This would now require further investigation and an increased sample size as there will almost certainly be similar installations of downlights.

Therefore, the classification code would be a C2, Potentially dangerous, urgent remedial action required due to the risk of fire and lack of compliance with Building Regulations.