Consultancy Services

Isolate back to the meter intake position (head) and ensure Regional Electricity Company (R.E.C.) pot end services external to the footprint of the site.

The specification for removal of services is not always as simple as this, and this is not as simple as it sounds:
The average time from start to finish to remove the meter and pot end the supply cable can take between 2 days and 3 months depending on the R.E.C. and the Supplier (meter operator). 3 months is usually longer than the works process.

In a recent project the tender document failed to identify that 3 of the 5 mobile telecom operator’s masts were supplied directly from the buildings main service and not as indicated:
“from separate EDF incomers.”

Further the specification requested:
“The main building service to be removed and a smaller Temporary Builders Supply (T.B.S.) to be installed.”

Additional and agreed costs were caused by the fact that
•The telecom operators would not agree to a scheduled shut down at the same time as each other.

•The live retained cables in the main switch panel coupled with a front access only to the individual switch modules meant that the isolated distribution cables had to be traced back from proven dead switchgear, up to 12 floors away, to identify them as they left the panel.

•The live cables to the retained masts had to be traced and identified along their routes.

The situation meant that the usual removal of cables from the switch panel as well as the requested termination of the building main service could not be safely achieved.

The installation of the T.B.S. could not be achieved as the supply company, EDF, would need to take the main building supply off service to free up space in their switch room to make the connection. Whilst this kept our isolation team busy, it delayed the programme and increased the overall cost to the Client.

Clients don’t like additional costs for their works.
Misunderstanding the electrical system in the surveying stage only gets highlighted when the contractors team move on to site. By this time any deviations to the specification are costly extras.

Our consultant Rob Beere concentrates on key issues affecting the removal of electrical and telecom installations with regard to the works that are required, highlights them in a detailed report and offers practical advice to enable the specification to include these as part of the tender document.

Forewarned is forearmed and with experience isolating buildings as diverse as bungalows, army barracks, shopping centres, high-rise blocks and hospitals we have the know how and experience to ensure you have the right information before the job starts.

If you need more information:
Please contact Robert Beere
T: 01276 475059
M: 07950 014750
E: rbeere@beere-elec.com