Alterations to large office with full test records,RCBO's only on cleaners sockets

Hi,
I am doing alterations to a fifth floor office in a special effects company. I have a few questions.
On looking at the installation it is only 5 years old and in good condition, all records of testing and good electric layout drawings. With the new update on the regs in mind i see that there is only 2 RCBO's fitted (these are to the cleaners sockets). Do i have to fit RCBO's to all circuits including lights. The company has a large machine room and has got a lot of computers. Do i just fit them(rcbo's) to the circuits i have altered ? How much of the installation do i have to test given that they are using power 24/7. Another PIR is overdue.

Thanks Paul

Paul Fay said:

Hi,
I am doing alterations to a fifth floor office in a special effects company. I have a few questions.
On looking at the installation it is only 5 years old and in good condition, all records of testing and good electric layout drawings. With the new update on the regs in mind i see that there is only 2 RCBO's fitted (these are to the cleaners sockets). Do i have to fit RCBO's to all circuits including lights. The company has a large machine room and has got a lot of computers. Do i just fit them(rcbo's) to the circuits i have altered ? How much of the installation do i have to test given that they are using power 24/7. Another PIR is overdue.

Thanks Paul

Click to expand...

Only the work you are undertaking needs compliance to the current regulations

What are you doing.

By fitting an RCBO without knowing the total earth leakage of a circuit with lots of IT equipment you may line your self up for a call back when/if the circuit trips. Not saying don't do it, just investigate the circuit a little more before you put it on.

I'm in a similar scenario at the moment where a client wants a fuse board updating which feeds canteen and an office. The total earth leakage will trip an RCBO so I'm having to label sockets specifically for Computer use only, installing rcd sockets labelled for general use at convenient places that can be used practically, and then having to help the duty holder right up a risk assessment explaining why it has been omitted at the Distribution Board just to cover my A**.

This may have been done already, check with the client if a risk assessment was written up at time of installation, it should have been kept with the original EIC.