The use of pre-fabricated units which are manufactured off-site has now become very common for hotels, apartment blocks and other buildings. Some of these pods are manufactured in Ireland but others come from the UK and other European countries.
Obviously, the electrical installation in these pods must comply with the ETCI Wiring Rules and the manufacturing company must supply an ETCI Sub-system Certificate with each pod.
Sometimes neither the main building contractor nor the manufacturer of the pods are aware of the sub-system procedure which can make things difficult for the main electrical contractor on site. The ETCI and the CER are very much aware of this problem and they intend to take steps to make sure that consulting engineers, architects and building contractors are all fully aware of the necessity for testing and certification of the wiring systems in bathroom and kitchen pods.
There can also be a problem regarding the post-connection tests for these pods. Who should carry out the post-connection tests and sign for them on the sub-system certificate? If the pod manufacturer is available to do this then there is no problem. However, if the pods have been manufactured outside Ireland on a supply only basis this may not be practical.
The important thing is that consulting engineers and building contractors are aware of the necessity for the post-connection tests on the pods and that the question of who will do this work is addressed at the tendering stage of the project.
We advise electrical contractors who are quoting for the main electrical installation of the building. that they should make it clear in their quotation whether they are including for these post-connection tests or whether they are excluded from their tender. This will avoid disputes on the matter at the latter stages of the contract.