Issue 6

December 2001


Dear Member
At the end of a very busy year for ECSSA, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
We look forward to working with you in 2002.

With kind regards

From all the staff at ECSSA
Grainne Doyle, Administrator
Sean O'Shea, Technical Manager
Mary McCarrick, Accounts
Jimmy Leahy, Chief Inspector
Wally Forde, Inspector
Brian Moran, Inspector
Tony Murray, Inspector
John Delaney, Inspector


ECSSA WEBSITE www.ecssa.ie
ECSSA has a new interactive website which is updated on a daily basis. It includes a full list of contractors throughout Ireland currently registered with ECSSA which can be searched geographically. The website also includes general information and you can find this Newsletter on the website. Also our Notice Board on the website keeps you updated on forthcoming training courses and any new information which may be of interest to you. Please take time to look at the website and please inform us if your details are incorrect.
Please be advised that your Membership is up for renewal on the 1st January 2002
We would appreciate it if you would kindly send, as soon as possible:
1. Your old I.D. card or one passport photo signed at the back.
2. A cheque for 165.07 EUROS.
3. A copy of your up to date Public Liability Insurance Certificate.

Please send items 1, 2 and 3 above to:
ECSSA
Thomond House
40 High Street
Killarney
Co Kerry
For any reason if you cannot renew your membership in 2002, please:
- Notify the ECSSA office
- Return any unused Certificates to the ECSSA office
Hence you will be leaving ECSSA in good standing and whenever you wish to rejoin you can do so immediately.

ECSSA DIRECTORY OF MEMBERS
A new Handbook/Directory of ECSSA members will be distributed through ESB offices throughout Ireland at the beginning of 2002.
This will make the public more aware of ECSSA and its members and allow the customer to choose qualified and insured registered contractors.
Change of Address or Phone number:
Please fill out attached form and return it if there are any changes to be made.

ESB single phase meter with isolator
This is now in use in many locations and you should be clear on your approach to connecting the customer tails.

Remove the RHS meter terminal cover only and connect the live and neutral tails directly to the meter, with the isolator switching lever in the OFF/DOWN position.

Connect the neutralising tail directly into the bottom RHS of the ESB cut-out (main fuse unit) and securely tighten the terminal screws using a 3mm Allen key, through the opes provided. We recommend totally installated screwdriver and Allen key to guard against shock in the event of incorrect polarity. Remember phase and neutral are considered as live conductors.

Ensure that the customer’s main switch is open before energising the installation by switching the red isolator level to the ON/UP position.
N.B. The isolator is not to be used to switch load.

Carry out the required post connection tests and fit the RHS meter terminal cover.

It is absolutely essential that it be sealed with our own seals - identical to ESB Red Seal you removed - but Yellow in colour and with individual number. These are available from our office in packs of 100 - Cost £12.00/15.24 Euros including VAT & Postage.

ESB Underground Service Ducting
This is now a special Red Ducting specifically for electric cables and should be available from hardware stores.

Outdoor Meter Cabinets
Must be located on front of building or on side of building within 2 metres of front line of building. Otherwise ESB will refuse to connect.

Electric Showers
Must be controlled either by (1) separate RCD and MCB or (2) RCBO (combination RCD & MCB) (see page 184)

Height of Switch Boxes
To facilitate People with Disabilities, building regulations now decree that height of switch boxes and Door Bell Push should be between 900mm (36Ó) and 1200mm (48Ó).


Kitchen sink units
Must be bonded even when plastic pipes are used. If short pieces of copper are used at connection to the sink unit there is a tendency to bond at these pipes. This is ok provided an insulating washer is not in place between taps and draining board. - Always Check.

In all new Domestic Installations
It is recommended that a telephone socket be provided adjacent to main TV point to accommodate Digital TV. Also remember that three (3) co-axial cables should be run from attic space to main TV point, - one for RTE, one for satellite and one to supply other TV Points in the house.

Lighting Sockets
Usually 3 pin 5A provided for table or standard lamps must be controlled by an RCD (554.4.3 p132)

Protection of Earth Lead to Earth Spike
should be protected against mechanical damage (542.3.1.)

Distribution Boards
Sequence of connection of cables See 538.3.1., 538.3.2 Page 109.

Smoke Alarms
When there are two or more installed they must be interlinked

Wiring in attics 522.8.1.6.
In attic spaces care should be taken to lay wiring in an orderly manner and in such a way as to minimise the risk of damage to the wiring. To fulfill this objective we would recommend that wiring be placed around the edges of the attic space, where walking on, or damage by objects being thrown on top of wiring, cannot happen. This means that wiring can not be laid over joists.

Ecssa Office Hours
Mon - Fri 9am to 1pm & 2pm to 5pm
The Ecssa Office will be closed from 5pm on Friday December 21st until 9am on Wednesday 2nd January 2002

ECSSA - Protecting the Customer and the Contractor.

Wiring in Domestic Airing Cupboards (HOTPRESS) (555.3.1.)
This means the only wiring allowed is for Immersion Heater and for auxiliary equipment associated with water services or space heating water systems. However if a light is required then we strongly recommend an enclosed fitting.

S.W.A. Cables - Use of sheath as Protective Conductor
This can be adequate in certain circumstances. It is important to check ETCI Tables 54B and 54H to satisfy yourself.
NOTE: The sheath may not be used as Main Protective Conductor

Respecting Customer Homes
When working in customer homes it is the responsibility of members to respect that home as if it was their own. As far as possible all repair work associated with your work must be carried out to a professional standard, and to the satisfaction of the customer.

However if it was agreed that the customer would be responsible for all restoration work, then this should be in writing.

Certifiable Work
Some members feel that a certificate is only necessary if ESB supply is required. This is not so. All electrical extensions, eg. Showers, additional lights and sockets etc should be certified and top copy given to customer.

SAFEPASS
Health and Safety Pass Card
As from 1st January 2002 all workers on building sites must possess the above card. This card is only available if you have attended a one day FçS Training Course which covers all aspects of safety from electrical to scaffolding, to lifting and general safety precautions. Please contact your local FçS office for details of courses OR
Contact:
* Maurice Gunning, ETS, Electric Test Services, Ross House, Belmont, Co Offaly, Tel: 0902 57286 or Mobile: 087 2526197
* Sheilah Nolan, Kerry Health & Safety, Tiernaboul, Killarney, Co Kerry. Tel: 064 33060
* Sheilagh Ennis Lambe, Absolute Health & Safety, Tel: 01 295 4269 or 086 259 2022.


Commissioning Fire Alarm Systems
The following Insurers:
1. Hodgins Percival & Associates Ltd, Contact: John McCann Tel: 01 478 3344
2. Tyrrell Coakley Ltd, Contact: Donal Cronin Tel: 021 427 0505
Have confirmed that our members Insurance does cover them to commission Fire Alarms Systems wired and connected by themselves. It does not cover them to commission systems wired by others.

Entering other Contractors Jobs
It is ECSSA policy to ensure that no member takes over the completion or certification of another contractors job. Should you be asked to do so, you must contact our office with details including name, address and if possible, telephone number of the previous contractor. We will investigate including contact with RECI if necessary.

You should not enter this job until clearance is received from this office. If on the other hand should some other contractor enter your job, you should inform us immediately with details and we will follow it up on your behalf.

Emergency Lighting
Book on the Code of Practice for Emergency Lighting (£36.00 including postage and packaging) giving all details of electrical certification etc is available from the:
National Standards Authority of Ireland
Glasnevin
Dublin 9
Phone: 01 807 3800
Fax: 01 807 3838

Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
Book on the Code of Practice for Fire Detection and Alarm Systems in Buildings (£53.00 including postage and packaging) is also available at the NSAI, National Standards Authority of Ireland.

Fire Safety in Guest Accommodation
New and existing B & B Accommodation must have suitable fire alarm systems installed and must be in operation before 31/03/02. Book available from Government Publications, Postal Trade Section, 4-5 Harcourt Road, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 647 6834/35 or through any bookseller. Price £6.00

ECSSA - Protecting the Customer and the Contractor.

Telephone problems
The ECSSA had phone problems during the week of 12th to 19th November. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Supplying Certificates to You
Please remember that ECSSA can only supply certificates to you if:

(a) We have up-to-date details on your Public Liability Insurance. The Insurance Companies do not inform ECSSA when the insurance cover is renewed. It is your responsibility to supply ECSSA with a copy of the renewal of your Public Liability Insurance.

(b) We have payment in advance either by cheque, cash or credit card.

Also please remember you cannot write Certificates unless your Public Liability Insurance is up to date.

We recommend two insurance companies.

1. Hodgins Percival & Associates Ltd,
Contact: John McCann Tel: 01 478 3344

2. Tyrrell Coakley Ltd,
Contact: Donal Cronin Tel: 021 427 0505

Please tell them that you are a member of ECSSA and they will make your application a priority. The ECSSA Certificate of Insurance must be completed by your Insurance Company

Training Courses
ECSSA organise training courses at 4 to 5 locations each year. To suit members workload, they are held on Friday nights/Saturdays and the charge to cover both sessions is £50.00.
Details available from office.

Newsletter e-mailed to you
If you wish to have this Newsletter emailed to you please contact us at info@ecssa.ie.

Free Chart
A wall-chart covering Procedural Guidelines for Working on Electrical Installations is available from ETCI free of charge.


If you wish to have our logo e-mailed to you so you can print it on your headed paper please e-mail us at info@ecssa.ie and we will send it to you immediately

Please note useful links:
Electro Technical Council of Ireland, ETCI
www.etci.ie
Electricity Supply Board, ESB
www.esb.ie
National Standards Authority of Ireland, NSAI www.nsai.ie
Training & Employment Authority FcS
www.fas.ie
Irish Electrical Industry Newsletter
www.electriclinks.com
Institution of Engineers of Ireland, IEI
www.iei.ie
Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland
www.riai.ie
European-wide electrical installation portal
www.voltimum.com


ECSSA PRICE LIST
Annual Membership
IR£130.00/165.07 Euros (No Registration Fee)
ETCI Completion Certificates 1 Bk of 10 (Domestic)
IR£40.00/50.79 Euros incl. VAT & Postage
ETCI Completion Certificates 5 Bks of 10 (Domestic)
IR£171.80/218.14 Euros incl. VAT & Postage
ETCI Completion Certificate (Industrial)
IR£25.00/31.74 Euros incl. VAT & Postage
ETCI Agricultural Certificates
IR£8.70/11.05 Euros incl. VAT & Postage
ETCI Test Record Sheets
IR£12.00/15.24 Euros incl. VAT & Postage
ETCI National Rules for Electrical Installations
IR£55.00/69.84 Euros incl. Postage
Seals (Pack of 100)
IR£12.00/15.24 Euros incl. VAT & Postage


www.ecssa.ie