Issue 7 March 2002

ECSSA Electrical Contractors Safety & Standards Association,
Thomond House, 40 High Street, Killarney, Co Kerry.
Tel: 064 37266, Fax: 064 37269, Email: info@ecssa.ie Website: www.ecssa.ie


Dear Member

We hope the beginning of 2002 has been a busy time for you. If you have not renewed your membership this year please note that your membership has been due since 1st January 2002.

It is vital that we receive the following 3 items at the ECSSA office, Thomond House, 40 High Street, Killarney, Co Kerry. 1. Your old I.D. card or one passport photo signed at the back.
2. A cheque for €166.
3. A copy of your up to date Public Liability
Insurance Certificate.
Not later than 31st March 2002.
After that we regret that your membership will have expired and we are then required to inform the ESB that no further certificates can be accepted from you.
Once the ESB are informed (after 31st March 2002) it may take quite a while to reverse the proceedings after your membership has been paid.

ECSSA PRICE LIST from 1st March 2002 (incl postage & 21% VAT)
ALWAYS QUOTE YOUR MEMBERSHIP NUMBER
WHEN WRITING TO ECSSA

Annual Membership (No Reg. fee)1st Jan-31st Dec 166 euros
1 Book of 10 Domestic Compl. Certs 53 euros
5 Books of 10 Domestic Compl. Certs 222 euros
Industrial/Commerical Certificate (1) 33 euros
Subsytem Certificates (10) 33 euros
Agricultural Certificates (25) 12 euros
Test Record Sheets (100) 16 euros
Seals (Pack of 100) 16 euros
National Rules for Electrical Installations 70 euros
Amendment No. 1 ETCI National Rules 8 euros


ECSSA INSPECTORS

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to call our inspectors.

John Delaney - Phone: 087 699 3736
Area: Laois, Kilkenny, Kildare, Carlow
Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford

Wally Forde - Phone: 087 294 2447
Area: Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim, Roscommon Clare, N.Ireland (where applicable)

Jimmy Leahy Chief Inspector - Phone: 087 283 3481. Kerry, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary

Brian Moran - Phone: 087 294 2448
Dublin

Tony Murray - Phone: 087 699 3730
Louth, Westmeath, Meath, Longford,
Cavan, Monaghan, Offaly, Northern Ireland (where applicable)

Please remember that ECSSA can only supply certificates to you if:
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.
We also need payment in advance either by cheque, cash or credit card.
Also please remember you cannot issue Certificates unless your Public Liability Insurance is up to date. We recommend two insurance companies:
Hodgins Percival & Associates Ltd,
Contact: John McCann Tel: 01 478 3344
Tyrrell Coakley Ltd,
Contact: Marian Forde Tel: 021 427 0505

Training Courses in 2002
ECSSA run Training Courses for our members in various locations during the year. This helps keep all our members updated and clear on Verification and Certification Procedures. Request for other courses will always be considered. The following dates have been confirmed for Training Courses for ECSSA members in 2002 and notices have been sent to members.

Friday 8th March and Saturday 9th
March 2002 - Limerick Ryan Hotel & Conference Centre, Ennis Road, Limerick.

Friday 22nd March and Saturday 23rd
March 2002 - DooleyÕs Hotel, The Quay, Waterford.

Friday 5th April and Saturday 6th April 2002 - The Ardboyne Hotel, Dublin Road, Navan, Co Meath.

All courses are from:
* 7.30pm to 10.30pm on the Friday evenings and
* 9.30am to 12.30pm or 2.00pm to 5.00pm on the Saturday

The course on Friday will cover Theoretical Discussions and explanations of new regulations and the Saturday morning or afternoon will cover Practical Testing and further discussions of regulations and relevant problems. PRICE = 65.00 euros per person

Free Training Courses for ECSSA Members
Legrand Ireland are offering free courses on CAT. 5 and CAT. 6 computer networking systems. More information is available from:
Eamonn Tilley, Technical Manager,
Legrand Ireland Ltd, 15/16 Holly Avenue, Stillorglan Industrial Park,
Stillorglan, Co Dublin. Mobile: 086 809 7162,
Phone: 01 295 4465 Fax: 01 295 4671.
e-mail: info.dublin@legrand.ie

Amendment No. 1 ETCI National Rules for Electrical Installations - Third Edition ET101:2000/A1:2001 - €8.00

Construction Safety Software
Irish Construction Health & Safety Manager, a CD-ROM package developed by Risk Management Software Solutions, is designed to assist organisations within the construction industry to create and manage their health & safety documentation. Rising insurance claims and the resulting rise in insurance premiums has prompted the development of this construction specific software package and targets main contractors who need to ensure that subcontractors are health & safety compliant. Prior to its launch, the package was tested by a busy construction company operating a number of sites throughout the country, and came through with flying colours. The package includes a database of specific construction health & safety templates, a range of forms and guidance material and an Advice Centre which provides a summary of the principal legislative enactments, such as the SHWW Act 1989 and the General Application Regulation (SI44/93). The Health and Safety Management section includes a safety statement that can be adapted to suit the particular characteristics of each workplace. There is also guidance on over 30 risk assessments, permits to work, method statements and information on accident investigation. Construction industry related companies can request a demonstration by calling Dominick Grattan on 1800 201 661/ 086 606 0123.

PVC Tubing recessed in Plaster
The tubing has two purposes (a) protect the cables (b) makes it suitable to rewire at future date. If the tubing is not properly installed - e.g. is not continuous from ceiling level and INTO the switch/socket/box then it has failed in the two purposes for which it was intended.

Our inspectors are being reminded that if the tubing is not fitted correctly then they must mark Òquality of workmanshipÓ as Poor on their report sheets.

Bonding of mobile preparation tables in commercial kitchen Stainless steel mobile preparation tables should be fitted with a flexible bonding conductor, attached by a proper nut and bolt connection. The other end of the flexible bonding conductor should have a clamp arrangement for attachment to the leg of a permanently bonded table. The clamp should, ideally, have a bolt and batwing nut, to ensure proper connection.

www.ecssa.ie

Eircell Vodafone are collating a list of services and information for the Wireless Directory. This service will be available on WAP mobile phones (Wireless Application Protocol - enables your mobile telephone to talk to the internet directly) and will provide the public with listings of businesses based on location and Find Nearby Location Based Information Directory service. ECSSA members will be listed in the Eircell Vodafone Find Nearby Wireless Service under Electrician and ECSSA Member will be typed beside each name so the public re ensured that they have found a registered and insured Electrical Contractors. example


WARNING
Check your Electric Blanket now.
Have you bought a Dreamland Electric Blanket since 1998? If so check it now, because we can tell you that around 200,000 homes in Ireland and the UK have got a potentially dangerous one.

Dreamland have placed advertisements in national papers during 2001 recalling blankets with faulty Heat Controllers but only a small percentage have been returned.

Under customer protection laws customers can claim the cost of the damage to their property (if any) - caused by faulty blanket, from Dreamland.

Remember that Electric Blankets caused 474 fires in the UK alone in 1999. Twelve people died and 188 were injured.

The recall effects models EC20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 sold since 1998 with batches ending in 8 or 9 with the Codes 198 to 528 and 019 to 409. If you or your customers have purchased Dreamland Blankets with the above series numbers they should be returned immediately to the stores where purchased and they will be replaced.

New ESB meters with Built-in Isolators
Most members will likely have experienced them now. We are aware of at least three separate incidents that cause us grave concern. The isolator switch ÒOffÓ is in the Down position and the on indicator is shown ON - the O being square in shape. The connecting electricians saw the N as the neutral connection thus giving incorrect polarity.

Reminder Please read carefully the label on cover of the meter and the enclosed leaflet (you also received this in the August 2001 ECSSA Newsletter). Further reminder - You must seal the cover after connecting the customer tails. Seals are available from our office - packs of 100 - Cost 16.00 euros including Vat & postage.

Electric Showers
(with instantaneous heater)
The following points should be noted:

1. The following sizes of cable and equipment will normally be adequate: Shower up to 10Kw: 6mm2 Copper,
Fuse/MCB: 40 amp
Isolating SW: 40 amp.

2. Shower unit must be protected by a separate MCB/RCD combination.

3. Where simultaneous operation is not required, two units may be fed from one circuit, provided only one unit is supplied at a time. This may be achieved by an arrangement of interlocked contactors.

It will be noted that if a contactor with 2 No. N/C and 2 No. N/O contacts is used for this purpose, the contactor coil could be left energised for very long periods, particularly in holiday homes. This could result in overheating or even cause fire. One suggested method of avoiding this problem is to use a time delay switch, instead of the more commonly used "in/off" switch, with a time setting of 15 minutes. This allows adequate time for a shower and ensures that the contactor coil is then de-energised. This ensures that overheating of the contactor is avoided. Note If ordinary 5A switch is used to control the coil, we recommend a pilot light as a warning to prevent coil being energised for long periods as mentioned in previous chapter.

ECSSA Protecting the Customer and the Contractor
ECSSA, Thomond House, 40 High St., Killarney, Co. Kerry Tel 064-37266 Fax 064-37269 e-mail: ecssa37266@eircom.net

Guest Accommodation - Standards
First Aid Fire Fighting Equipment
* Kitchen - Fire blanket and 4kg Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher and
* Other Areas - One 9L water and one 4kg Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher per storey.
Irish Standard 291:1996: The use, siting, inspection and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers.

Emergency Lighting Escape routes should be provided with emergency lighting to I.S. 3217: 1989.
(existing premises should have emergency lights fitted).

Fire Alarm and Detection System All Guest Accommodation requires mains powered (with backup battery in the event of mains failure) smoke detectors. (Older battery operated detectors are not acceptable). The system must be interconnected so that should one detector operate all alarm points operate. The level of coverage should not be less than L2 as per I.S.3218: 1989: Code of Practice for Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Buildings - system design, installation and servicing. (Covering each guest bedroom and escape routes from same. Kitchen should also be covered, as should any high risk area along escape route). I would recommend the use of a heat detector in the kitchen in order to avoid false alarms.

Generally In single storey premises with not more than 6 bedrooms or in two storey premises with not more than 4 bedrooms an interconnected "modular" type of system is acceptable.
In all larger premises a fully addressable system should be installed to a level of not less that L1. A Fire Safety Certificate is required for any modification/extension of a commercial premises.
Following Certificates required:
1. Annual maintenance of Fire Detection and Alarm System*
2. Annual maintenance of Fire Extinguishers
3. Annual maintenance of Emergency Lighting*
A competent person is to issue this certificate (*i.e. ECSSA or Reci member)
Completion/maintenance certificates should be of the form given in I.S. 3218: 1989 or as contained in Fire Safety in Guest Accommodation issued by the Department of the Environment and Local Government. Government Publications, Postal Trade Section, 4-5 Harcourt Road, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 647 6834.These are standards that the Chief Fire Officer in Sligo requires.

SPECIAL PRINT DEALS FOR ECSSA MEMBERS

250 Letterheads ... 250 Business Cards ... 500 A5 Flyers ... 5 A4 Invoice Books
Special Price when you quote
your ECSSA membership number

Only 220 euro + VAT

Order Individual Items...
* 250 Letterheads 45 euro
* 250 Business Cards 50 euro
* 500 A5 Flyers 75 euro
* 5 A4 Invoice Books, Duplicate 70 euro

all prices exclude vat.
full details on each of the above items when you contact us t: 064 34650
murphy print & design
Creators of Fine Print...
st. marys terrace killarney co. kerry t: 064 34650 f: 064 36394 isdn: 064 70912 e-mail: sales@murphyprint.com www.murphyprint.com