News

PIR CODES – THE REAL DEAL

For some time there has been some discussion over the correct codes used for Periodic Inspection Reports (PIR’s). Confirmation of PIR codes and their use has now been released by the Electrical Safety Council.

In brief, the recommendations made are that the codes should be used for the following reasons:

Code 1: Indicates immediate danger
The installation is a risk to the user; therefore, the inspector should take appropriate action without delay to remove the danger.

Code 2: Requires improvement
This code should be used to indicate that the observed fault requires action to remove potential danger.

Code 3: Requires further investigation
Indicates that the inspection has revealed an apparent deficiency which could not be fully identified and should be investigated further.

Code 4: Does not comply with the current issue of BS 7671
Used to show that certain items of the installation don’t comply with the requirement of the current issue of BS 7671 but are not deemed a risk to the user. The inspector should show consideration to suggest benefits of improving those parts of the installation.

John Andrews, Chief Executive of NAPIT, has raised suggestions that Periodic Inspection Reports should reflect more accurately the activity of carrying out and electrical inspection rather than how often it is completed.

He comments: “Often we are carrying out a Periodic Inspection Reports because of licensing requirements or for a pending property sale to determine whether an electrical installation is safe to expand or alter.
I have suggested we should perhaps be referring to it as an ‘Electrical Installation Condition Report’ so whether we are doing it periodically or not becomes irrelevant and the title does then in fact reflect our activity rather than the reason why we are sometimes doing it.
I know that this is something that various organisations are looking at and we at NAPIT would support such a change.”

If members are in any doubt about the codes and their uses please visit the Electrical Safety Council website for a more detailed explanation at: www.esc.org.uk