On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 08:48:31 +0100, "Nick" no_bother@all wrote:

I've just read a newspaper report on the death by electrocution of Jenny
Tonge's daughter.
A metal utensil rack in her kitchen had become live as a result of one of
its mounting screws piercing a cable.

The real question here (from our viewpoint) is whether Article P
would have been any help.

We have standards for this work. Following them would have made this
accident far less likely - you can still puncture a cable, but you
have to try pretty hard. The standards weren't followed though - the
only remaining question is whether this fitter would have been seen as
any more "competent" under Article P than a DIY installer?

Cable detectors are useful, but they're not a solution of themselves.
This rack was installed by the husband, and banning all minor DIY
except by qualified kitchen fitters is a "solution" I think few would
seriously consider. The fault was primarily, and blame-wise, with the
bad cabling and not with the rack-hanging.

I'm still unconvinced that this new legislation achieves anything.
When the professionals can deliver a crude bodge like this, it's not
the DIY installer who needs to be tied up in red tape.

--
Smert' spamionam