NEWS - www.theelectricalinspector.co.nz

Go to content

Main menu:

NEWS

March 2024

Welcome to our News Centre and general chit-chat about electrical stuff. You can send us your comments and views if you want. These are my views and comments and I've included News worthy items, with some replicated from Industry Organisations.

THE MONTH AHEAD
We're busy locally this month but have a couple of road trips planned; most notably to Auckland, Rotorua, Whanganui, Palmerston North and Wellington.
Fair question I thought when I was asked - why do I let people know where I'm going to be each month on your website? My answer - so Clients know I'm going to be in their area and if they need to, they can contact me either for a chat about their installation or to arrange a visit. For me it's about ongoing client support.

IS IT AN APPLIANCE ??
During February, I received a query from an Auckland based inspector asking about a Paint Mixing Room (PMR) he'd been asked to inspect and certify. He had received a copy of one of my checklists from a fellow inspector and had some questions. 

After an initial chat he told me he'd been given the documents provided to the owner by the PMR supplier/manufacturer/installer (all one person) and decided to give them a call. While discussing various aspects of the install and the documentation, our inspector was told that the PMR is an appliance and therefore they were able to install electrical fittings. (Ed. A what?)

When he asked me, I said I couldn't see how it could be an appliance. He has an engineering associate who also told him no. I'd been asked this question before and decided it was time to seek the thoughts of WorkSafe NZ. Their response only took a couple of days (nice, thank you) and echoed our advice - the PMR, as described, is NOT AN APPLIANCE.

WorkSafe NZ's response was detailed and showed how they came to their conclusion. They are happy for me to provide copies to anyone interested as a way to "start the discussion". Due to it's length I have elected to make it available upon request - sam@theelectricalinspector.co.nz.

BUT WAIT, THAT"S NOT ALL. . .
There were other matters that the inspector is working through and is doing so with the full support and confidence of the client.

When he asked the installer/supplier about certification he was told he'd provided all the necessary documentation to the client. And here's where it all gets a bit complicated and weird, in my view.

He implied that the electrician doing the final connection and livening would issue a CoC which in turn would include the PMR. The documentation he provided to the client consisted of:
1. A Hazardous Area (verification) Dossier. 
Comment: It's a fine collection of Producer Statements and other worthwhile material. But, there was no hazardous area classification drawing included. There is a requirement in the Standard he cited in his documentation i.e. AS/NZS60079.14.

2. A document they call a Declaration of Conformity (SDOC). 
Comments: Its contents were excellent in that it identified the supplier (themselves), who the intended purchaser is and the location of the PMR. It also referenced our Regs, the Gas Regs, AS/NZS3000, NZS5261 and NZS5601. Whoever prepared the document has some very good regulatory compliance knowledge. 
Pity they didn't understand and recognise that PEW can only be performed by a registered electrical worker and that a CoC must be provided.

3. There was also an incomplete copy of an EWRB-issued CoC/ESC.
Comments. It identified compliance with Parts 10, 14 and 17 of AS/NZS60079 plus AS/NZS4114. It mentions a 3-phase supply with N and E. It records those parts of the PMR the CoC applies to including their light (sic) system, control cubicle and 2x exhaust fans. It also referred to their Hazardous Area Dossier. 
That's all well and good but on the other hand - it wasn't signed, didn't carry an installation date and there were no electrical test results recorded. Perhaps this is what he'd intended the electrician to sign, I don't know.

You're welcome to join the discussion if you choose.

WELL, THAT MADE ME THINK. . .
A colleague contacted me to ask if metal bollards located inside a hazardous area inside a building need to be bonded i.e. earthed.
They are not metalwork likely to become alive because of the distance between them and an electrical power source however there's no doubt that striking them with say a vehicle could, perceivable generate a spark aka ignition source possibly leading to a boom.
But here's the thing. Would that spark be electrical and therefore conductive in nature. My answer is no. Such sparks are mechanically generated by strike or heat can be generated by friction.
So, my answer was no because EQB would be ineffective.
But it’s a heck of a question and this late on a Friday afternoon, just before beer o’clock, I’m wondering if there's a different point of view. Would you have made the same call or...

From last month
So much is being said about the Nelson electrocution and I think that Neil Frank's magazine article did the best by reminding us to test before livening and test again once the thing is alive. Simple mistake with an assumption leading to severe consequences.

If you're an inspector, how do you assess that an installation is compliant and electrical safe? I'll talk about this in more detail next month and share what I do. NO, I'm not here to "teach" because what you do and how you arrive at your conclusions is your business but following a couple of recent discussions I was reminded that we inspectors, are not always on the same page. Methods may vary but the outcome must align with... more next month.
Update: I'll report on this next time - sorry but the "Is a PMR an Appliance" needed to be shared first. Tune in next month.


NEW ZEALAND ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION
Events this month:
Wednesday 13th March 2024 – Online Forum (7.30pm)
Thursday 21 March 2024 – Matamata Dinner (5.30pm-8.30pm) TBC

WORKSAFE & ENERGY SAFETY
Energy Safety have issued a Prohibition Notice on "Serene Classic S2068" wall mounted bathroom heaters. First manufactured in March 2021, several have been the seat of fires following overheating.

For their latest in News including a link on how to Notify WorkSafe NZ (WNZ) if you see any safety matter that has you concerned.


STANDARDS NZ (SNZ)
Proposal to reconfirm Publication

AS/NZS 4864.2:2008 - Performance of refrigerated beverage vending machines - Minimum energy performance standard (MEPS) requirements

Provides minimum energy performance levels for refrigerated beverages vending machines.
Consumer and Occupational Safety, Energy, Electricity and Gas, Transportation and Logistics


AS/NZS 4865.1:2008 - Performance of commercial ice makers and ice storage bins - Test methods for ice makers - Environmental performance

Specifies methods of measuring the electrical power consumption of water- and air-cooled commercial ice makers connected to a nominal 230 V mains electricity supply.
Consumer and Occupational Safety, Energy, Electricity and Gas


AS/NZS 60968:2001 - Self ballasted lamps for general lighting services - Safety requirements

Specifies safety and interchangeability requirements along with test methods and conditions for compliance of tubular fluorescent and other gas discharge lamps. This applies to lamps with built-in means for controlling, starting and stable operation.
Energy, Electricity and Gas


AS/NZS 21952:2012 - Welding consumables - Wire electrodes, wires, rods and deposits for gas shielded arc welding of creep-resisting steels - Classification

Specifies requirements for manufacturers and users on the classification of wire electrodes, wires and rods for gas-shielded metal arc welding and tungsten inert gas welding of creep-resisting steels, and for their deposits in the as-welded or post-weld heat-treated condition. Adopted with national modifications from ISO 21952:2012.
Building Construction and Fire Prevention, Manufacturing and Processing


AS/NZS 3690:2009 - Installation of ABS pipe systems

Primarily addresses the installation, testing and commissioning of ABS pipes and fittings for water plumbing, drainage, stormwater drainage, and industrial and irrigation applications and is not intended to replace industry-specific installation codes or regulations. Site specific characteristics may require provisions additional to the requirements in this Standard.
Building Construction and Fire Prevention, Engineering


AS/NZS IEC 62301:2014 - Household electrical appliances - Measurement of standby power

Provides Australian and New Zealand electrical industries, manufacturers and regulatory bodies with a method of test to determine the power consumption of a range of household appliances and equipment in low power modes (generally where the product is not performing its main function). Identical to and reproduced from IEC 62301, Ed.2.0 (2011).
Consumer and Occupational Safety, Energy, Electricity and Gas


AS/NZS 16834:2013 - Welding consumables - Wire electrodes, wires, rods and deposits for gas shielded arc welding of high strength steels - Classification (ISO 16834:2012, MOD)

Specifies requirements for manufacturers and users on the classification of wire electrodes, wires, rods and weld deposits. Covers the as-welded condition and the post-weld heat-treated (PWHT) condition for gas shielded metal arc welding and tungsten inert-gas welding of high strength steels with a minimum yield strength greater than 500 MPa, or a minimum tensile strength greater than 570 MPa. One wire electrode can be tested and classified with different shielding gases. Also provides for classification utilizing a system based upon the yield strength and the average impact energy of 47 J of all-weld metal, or utilizing a system based upon the tensile strength and the average impact energy of 27 J of all-weld metal. Reproduced with national modifications from ISO 16834:2012.
Building Construction and Fire Prevention, Manufacturing and Processing


AS/NZS 4864.1:2008 - Performance of refrigerated beverage vending machines - Test methods - Energy performance

Specifies methods of measurement of electrical power consumption of refrigerated beverages vending machines connected to a nominal 230 V mains electricity supply.
Consumer and Occupational Safety, Energy, Electricity and Gas, Transportation and Logistics


AS/NZS 4865.2:2008 - Performance of commercial ice makers and ice storage bins - Test methods for ice storage bins - Environmental performance

Specifies the method of measuring the theoretical storage effectiveness of factory-made ice storage bins, including the storage bins of self-contained units and automatic dispensing machines.
Consumer and Occupational Safety, Energy, Electricity and Gas


AS/NZS 4865.3:2008 - Performance of commercial ice makers and ice storage bins - Minimum energy performance standard (MEPS) requirements

Specifies minimum energy performance standard (MEPS) requirements for ice makers and ice storage bins within the scope of AS/NZS 4865.1:2008 and AS/NZS 4865.2:2008.
Consumer and Occupational Safety, Energy, Electricity and Gas

Proposal to withdraw Publication

SA/SNZ HB 203:2012 - Managing environment-related risk

This Handbook is intended to help organizations manage environment-related risk based on the process set out in the AS/NZS 31000:2009.
Building Construction and Fire Prevention, Business and Trade, Consumer and Occupational Safety, Environment and Sustainability


AS/NZS 2106.1:1999 - Methods for the determination of the flash point of flammable liquids (closed cup) - Abel closed cup method

Specifies the Abel closed cup method for determining the flash point of flammable and combustible liquids with flash points between -30 degrees Celsius and 70 degrees Celsius. This Standard is identical with and has been reproduced from ISO13736:1997.
Business and Trade, Energy, Electricity and Gas, Environment and Sustainability


AS/NZS 4600 Supplement 1:1998 - Cold-formed steel structures - Commentary

Provides background information and guidance to the requirements of AS/NZS 4600:1996.
Building Construction and Fire Prevention, Energy, Electricity and Gas

 
 
Back to content | Back to main menu