At a ceremony in the Plan Expo exhibition in Dublin recently, Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources, presented the one millionth ETCI/RECI Completion Certificate to the owners of the house to which it was used to connect electrical supply.
The Register of Electrical Contractors of Ireland (RECI) was established by the electrical contracting industry in 1992 in order to improve the safety of electrical installations by regulation of electrical contractors. Essential to its success was the agreement between the ESB Networks and RECI that electrical supply would only be made available to new installations after a valid Electro Technical Council of Ireland (ETCI) completion certificate signed by a registered contractor was submitted to ESB Networks.
The Minister congratulated RECI on reaching the milestone of the millionth certificate and, as Minister with responsibility for Communications, he noted with approval RECI’s “on-line” facility for completion certificates, which is particularly commendable and forward looking.
More about RECI
RECI is a self-regulatory body for the electrical contracting industry. It was formed in 1992 at the request of the Dept. of Energy in order to improve the standards of electrical installation work in Ireland. RECI's aim is to promote and protect the interests of the public as users of electrical service so that they obtain an acceptable standard of workmanship and technical competence within the electrical contracting industry. It also provides a high level of assistance to the industry to achieve this standard.
Aims
To promote and protect the interests of the public as users of electrical service so that they will obtain an acceptable standard of workmanship and technical competence within the electrical contracting industry, and to provide a high level of assistance to the industry to achieve this standard.
Objectives
To ensure that the standards required by the Register of Electrical Contractors of Ireland (RECI) are relevant, realistic and reflect public expectations and are appropriate to current and evolving electrical technology, regulations, standards, rules and codes of practice.
To promote safety and encourage an awareness of electrical safety among electrical contractors.
To complement the role of industry and other organisations in their endeavours to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of registered electrical contractors practising within the industry who are properly qualified to meet the standards set by RECI and who will maintain
appropriate levels of technical competency.
To ensure that persons conducting a business within the industry are appropriately registered and to encourage competence and ethical business behaviour for the benefit of the public.
To improve registered contractors' ability to deal effectively from initial negotiations of a contract through to satisfactory completion of the project.
To resolve disputes between contractors and consumers promptly and fairly by mediation, direction or referral to an appropriate authority or other body if necessary.
RECI Activities
RECI monitors the standard of work of its registered contractors.
An inspection service is provided for non-registered contractors.
The details of completion certificates issued are recorded.
RECI runs training courses on various aspects of the Wiring Rules.
RECI has published a guide and a video on testing.
RECI provides technical information and assistance to registered contractors.
Complaints about the standard of work of registered contractors will be investigated.
Qualifications for RECI Membership
Contractors must possess
Technical qualifications not less than those of an electrician.
On-site responsibility for electrical installation work for not less than three years.
Be engaged in the business of electrical contracting.
Be in possession of public liability and employers liability insurance.
Be in possession of equipment including test equipment and tools and a copy of the Wiring Rules.
This website lists all the contractors currently registered with RECI, and is updated on a daily basis. Apart from the main body of membership, there are also Registered Affiliates and Registered Associates. Registered Affiliates are service contractors whose electrical content is a small but indispensible part of their work and who employ qualified electricians, e.g. heating contractors, refrigeration contractors, etc. Registered Associates are bodies like local authorities and large industrial companies who employ qualified electricians to carry out their own installation work.
Certificate of Test
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 1993 state: "Every new electrical installation and every major alteration or extension to an existing installation shall, after completion, be inspected and tested by a competent person in an approved manner, and a certificate of test shall be completed verifying that the relevant requirements of these Regulations have been complied with". RECI is working with the Health and Safety Authority and other bodies to ensure that these statutory regulations are being observed in the construction industry.
