A recent webinar from the IET aimed to combat some of the confusion around the changes to the IET Code of Practice.
In it they highlighted the issues with the 3rd Edition of the code of practice and what steps they have taken to improve things with the 4th Edition.
They began by saying that the 3rd Edition was printed in 2007 and had restricted scope which needed to be widened, some tables and text was confusing and the Lofstedt report, which looked into the over compliance of electrical testing, meant that a 4th Edition was needed.
Amongst some of the changes are the following:
- More info on equipment types and how they are used, plus info on second hand equipment and the hiring of equipment
- Microwave leakage testing and manufactures type testing has been removed
- Info on landlords responsibility and definitions of risk assessments are now more defined
- Updates to the standards on definitions and the law section has been updated
- More info has been added to the fixed installation section stating that they should be correctly assessed prior to any pat testing being carried out with regards to supply cables installed within the fabric of the building
- Trailing leads in offices can now be used as long as they are assessed properly
- Fixed equipment info includes how to test, safe isolation and competency. They state that most people aren’t able to do this and training is needed as this is now expected
- Training sections have been updated to say that experience is necessary and there is more emphasis on fixed equipment and the need to be competent
- Risk assessment requirements, responsibilities and frequencies depend on requirements
- The duty holder is responsible for the frequency of testing, defined by their risk assessments, not the PAT tester
- Labelling now has the next test date removed to encourage duty holders to carry out risk assessments
- There is more info on RCDs and extension leads
There are a number of different changes and updates not mentioned here. For further information on the above list and the ones not mentioned, make sure you attend the free PASS and Megger event taking place in March and April.
In the meantime, what’s your opinion of these changes?
Written by Sara Thomson
