The requirement for Periodic Inspection Reports (PIR’s) have continued to develop over the last year with their introduction into Home Information Packs (HIP’s), which requires now that every home for sale in the UK requires the home owner to declare when the property was last electrically tested and with let properties requiring a period inspection report.
This along with the increasing requirement from insurance companies for periodic reports and the general maintenance that many companies increasingly subscribing to (often in order to minimise the risk of Corporate Manslaughter charges), has resulted in an increase in the volume of reports created each year.
Many debates still continue between industry bodies on the subject of PIR’s ranging from the standard of the Electricians undertaking periodic inspections, to the details contained within the reports and whether they are to industry standards.
With NAPIT’s ongoing monitoring of its technical support line it has concluded that around 40% of calls dealt with on a daily basis are related to Periodic Inspections.
The most common questions being related to; How to code a defect;
Which defects have to be rectified in order to provide a satisfactory report and;
Which defects have to be immediately rectified to enable then continued safe operation of the services.
Aiming to continue to set the industry standard, NAPIT are launching their new Periodic Inspection Reporting course in January 2010.
The 3-day PIR course will assist Qualified Electricians in correctly identifying faults and define how they should code their departures. On completion of the course, which is followed by a practical assessment, candidates will be awarded with a ‘Certificate of Competence’.
Richard Gould, NAPIT’s Director of Inspection Services comments:
“The regulations and guidance in the area of periodic inspection leave a lot to judgement and to interpretation, which generates debate about a fault or departure and which code it should be categorised in. The debates regarding this have in some cases lead to a general feeling of no confidence from the customer or agent requesting PIR’s.
The standard of qualification and experience recommended to undertake a Periodic Inspection and produce the Report, which NAPIT set in 1996 and still fully endorse has been adopted by the LABC with their new Inspectors Scheme”.
This will add support to the industry in setting and raising the standard and just as importantly will enable Electricians and Electrical Inspectors to demonstrate to customers that by being registered by a Professional Body as an Electrical Inspector, you will be able to provide a professional report on the condition of their installation.
To register your interest or for further information on the new NAPIT Periodic Inspection Reporting Course or the Electrical Inspectors Register please call: 0870 444 1392