Q & A of the Day – What testing and certification for this lighting scheme?

Question: We are a contract furnishing company and will shortly be carrying out work in a communal room of a sheltered housing scheme. Part of this work involves the replacement of the existing light fittings. These are to be replaced on a like-for-like, one-for-one, basis with new, more aesthetically pleasing, fittings of the same or very similar wattage. No alterations to the wring will be made. No additional fittings or lighting points are to be provided, and the switching arrangements will remain the same and no new circuits will be introduced.

Our client has suggested that on completion of the work he will require a PIR test on the complete electrical installation. Having looked on the web, it seems to me that the only testing and certification required to meet BS7671 in these circumstances would be a Minor Electrical Works Certificate. Is this so? We will, of course, use an approved contractor for the work, who I'm sure will be able to advise, but I want to make sure that we have the correct information and provide the correct certification when the work is completed in an independent way.

Any advice and clarification you are able to offer would be much appreciated.

Answer: From your description of the work, I would suggest that what is required is an Electrical Safety Certificate - to be produced by the electrical contractor on completion of the work.

The exception to this would be that if emergency lighting is required. This, based on the description of the communal areas of a sheltered housing project, could (according to the size or function) be needed. This would need the emergency lighting design, installation and inspection all to be signed off.

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