Major changes to the IETs Code of Practice are planned, to incorporate new industry requirements for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
The Code of Practice (CoP) for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (ISITEE): 3rd edition, produced by the IET, is currently undergoing a revision process to better reflect the industry and consumer requirements for the safety of electrical equipment and appliances. The main drivers for these changes have been the increased requirement for guidance from more diverse business types and a more focused approach to risk based assessing for frequency of inspections and tests.
The former will be addressed with a much broader and less restrictive scope, which currently alienates or fails to include the many new and diverse businesses that are becoming more prevalent in today’s society, particularly those enterprises which deal with previously-owned goods, through either outlet shops or online selling.
The change in scope will also address the issue of hired equipment, which may form part of a long-term contract, which would not normally be included in the current scope or was unclear as to what was required.
Hired equipment covers a wide range of business types and equipment, from building site
transformers to vending machines and concert visual and audio rigs. The latter has a
particular requirement for inclusion due to the rigorous nature of its use. The need for
clearer guidance of the responsibilities of those persons hiring equipment, of any type, was much needed and the new changes will outline the requirements for those hiring equipment of all types, for any reason.
To view the full article from the IET's Wiring Matters Summer 2012, download the attachment below.
View the full Summer 2012 Issue of Wiring Matters by visiting the IET website here.