At the request of our engineers and customers alike we will be using this space to show some of the many faults found whilst carrying out our day to day work.

This picture does not do the story justice. The copper wire has become so hot it has melted because of a loose connection and has also melted the insulation. In addition to this to the left of the yellow tape you can see that the insulation has been damaged. This is due to the action of the switch it was fitted to, which also meant that as you opened the switch to look at the problem with the wire, two metal prongs were exposed and live presenting a very real danger to the electrician. 

 

 

 

 

This junction box is not suitable for use outside of the home as it is not waterproof. However as you see the domestic customer considered that filling it with childrens modeling clay rendered it waterproof.

 

We are offering a free visual inspection of your electrical installation. We won’t turn anything off and will do our best to keep disruption of your day to day business to a minimum whilst on your premises. If we feel you require it, we will offer free advice on how to tackle any specific problems we have found and advise you on your legal responsibilities with regards to your electrical installation.

Do you know anybody who still uses re-wireable fuses, you know the sort that you fit fuse wire in?

Did you know that this type of fuse will carry four times its rated current and when old the fuse wire becomes oxidized and it can carry up to ten times its rated current. These are the reasons why they are now illegal to fit and carry a code 1 recommendation if discovered during an electrical inspection and test. This means they must be replaced immediately. Sounds expensive, but guess what, you can replace these type of fuse with a plug in miniature circuit breaker (MCB) with no need to replace the fuse board.

So don’t forget when you get to work or home have a look at your fuseboard, if the fuses are flat, brown and carry two dots of either white, yellow, blue or red. Make a note of how many of each and we will supply you with some modern replacement MCB’s.

We have had a recuring problem in this workshop for some time. You can see two ovens in the foreground that are constantly being moved, this is no easy task and requires a forklift. Consequently every time they are moved the forklift drags the cable out of the panel.

The solution was, in the end very simple, trying to get the client to have the work carried out was however a much more difficult task. The benefits are obvious to all when you see the solution and we are to provide this facility across site for them. 

Thermal imaging is a relatively new process to the electrical sector and is an excellent way of looking for potential problems as they are developing. It does not involve the turning off of any machinery or power and therefore it will not lose you any valuable production time.

A special camera is used to take a thermal image and a photograph of your machines electrical components. Hot spots on the thermal image identify where there are potential problems such as loose connections and overloading, even faulty motors may be found, maintenance procedures may then be put in place to remedy the fault rather than an expensive breakdown as the fault develops.

Thermal imaging is used by many of our industrial customers in regular maintenance programmes, so if you have any industrial customers who are not using a service like this but are always complaining about down time through machine breakdowns you now have an answer for them. Thermal imaging.

As electrical contractors we are always looking for ways to ease the day to day headaches involved in carrying out our work. I recently attended a seminar where I met a very interesting chap called Paul Holt from Labels Unlimited and he introduced me to a very novel way of using a ‘void if removed’ label.

As an electrical contractor we are required to carry out an inspection and test upon completion of any works, however you can occasionally meet customers who employ people hell bent on undoing any good work you have carried out……and there it is, a void if removed label across the lid and back box of any equipment or fuse-board you have tested. Our engineers have since thought of many other uses, to name one, across an MCB whose circuit has failed a fixed wire inspection and test. There’s more, these labels may be tailored to read ‘failed’ or even carry your company logo. Of course should your company’s work ever come under close scrutiny and the label is broken…..

Many thanks again to Paul at Labels Unlimited 0161-339-6611.

As an Electrical Contractor we have continued to make progress into the electrical testing industry.  

We are always on the look out for companies small and large that are looking for an electrical testing quotation.

Most of you will be aware that Portable Appliance Testing is carried out on a yearly basis and is very important for the safety of your employees and any customers entering your premises to ensure that any equipment they may use is in a safe condition. However, did you know that Fixed Wire Inspection and Test is equally if not more important than PAT testing. Fixed wire testing is a test of all the cable and fuses that make up the rest of the property. Typical or common faults found with this type of test are generally the cause of electrical fires. Loose wires causing arcing in switches, cables carrying too much current for their size, missing insulation or barriers giving rise to exposed electrical parts, overloading of fuses and much more.

Insurance companies have typically been the driving force for this kind of test however in our experience if it is left this late the insurance companies are not very sympathetic and often insist on faults being rectified immediately and the customer often faces a hefty bill. So why not get a heads up on any problems and arrange a visual inspection before your insurance company asks you to have a full test carried out.

We will guarantee that we can beat any legitimate quote for you fixed wire electrical testing requirements whether you are paying a circuit rate or a rate based on the overall area of your site. We can also beat any quote you have had for your PAT testing.

Give us a call today and we will arrange a visit to your premises by one of our engineers to show you how.

The Lancashire based firm recently received accreditation from SAFEcontractor, a programme which recognises very high standards of health and safety practise amongst UK contractors.

BPD Building Services Limited is principally involved in the electrical contracting industry.

Specialising in electrical inspection and testing industry, BPD Building Services Limited most recent clients have included Total Fitness UK Limited, Haydock Park Racecourse, Chapman Taylor LLP, Workman Retail and TTI Group Limited.

The company’s application for SAFEcontractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard accross the business.

SAFEcontractors accreditation is expected to enhance the company’s ability to attract new contracts and its commitment to safety will be viewed positively by its insurers when the company liability policy is up for renewal. These savings can then be passed onto our new and existing clients to help us maintain the competative edge within this sector.

Safecontractor is operated by international safety, health environmental risk management specialists, the National Britannia Group. The system is applicable to most sectors although it is particularly relevant to food manufacture, property, facilities management, retail and leisure sectors, all of which are big users of contract services.

Darran Hughes, Operations Director for Safecontractor at National Britannia said, “Major organisations can no longer run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies”.

“More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in the way that BPD Building Services Limited has done. The firms’ high standard has set an example, which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector”.

Under the SAFEcontractor system, businesses undergo a vetting process, which examines health ans safety procedures and their track record for safe practice.

Those companies meeting the high standard are included on a database, which is accessible to registered users only via a website, www.safecontractor.com.

Employer organisations who sign up to the scheme can access the database, which enables them to vet potential contractors before they even set foot on site. These employers agree that, as users of the scheme, they will engage only those who have received accreditation.

Over 1000 major nationwide businesses, from several key sectors, have signed up to use the scheme when selecting contractors for services such as building, cleaning, maintenance, refurbishment or electrical and mechanical work.