This
Page will enable you to find out all the necessary information
regarding *NAPIT* *National
Association of Professional Inspectors & Testers*.
The
National Association of Professional Inspectors & Testers
was formed in 1992 as a consequence of the lack of understanding
in the Inspection & Testing field amongst many electricians,
and more specifically to plug the loophole that allows managers
to sign documentation and electricians to Inspect & Test
electrical installations and appliances, even though
they may not have had up to date appropriate training, do not
possess the relevant qualifications and have probably not
acquired the
specific experience.
Serious
consideration should be given by both employers and customers
before employing an Electrician to Inspect and Test. Is he
competent? Has he been assessed? Is he using the correct test
equipment? What is my legal standpoint?
There
are other recognised Professional Associations within the
Electrical Contracting Industry who assess a companies
professionalism and the experience and qualifications of a
specific individual within that company. But quite often
employees other than the specific individual are given the
responsibility for the quality control mechanism of our
industry, i.e. that of Inspecting and Testing and subsequently
issuing test reports and schedules.
As
well as assessing a companies quality, all the individuals
within that company seeking NAPIT approval must undergo a
thorough vetting process. If they do not possess the requisite
qualifications, they must undertake the full NAPIT technical
assessment which comprises a written paper and a hands on 16th
Edition testing session and/or practical Portable Appliance
testing session depending on the type of approval being sought.
The
current situation which allows individuals to Inspect & Test
when no one has assessed their abilities is unlikely to achieve
conformity with the relevant parts of the Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989 (E@W) and in particular Regulation 16.
The
advent of Document P of the Building Regulations and its
requirement to be a Competent Person to undertake electrical
work in dwellings, makes the implementation of the NAPIT
standards more compelling, as we are the ONLY trade association
who run a true Competence Person requirement
for all the relevant staff of its approved member companies and
do not hide behind the legal definition.
With
these amendments to the Building Regulations making electrical
work in dwellings a controlled service, as outlined in the
Approved Document P, then it is even more important that a
system is in place to monitor and assure individuals competence.
NAPIT
have always had such a system and is the only
Trade Association dedicated to monitoring the competence of all
its members for Inspection, Testing and system Verification. Our
aim is to set the standard for the industry. These aims and
objectives are being achieved by the implementation of our
strict individual vetting policy, cost
effective training courses, technical updates & advice, and
by harnessing expertise on a regional basis to provide a
national network of NAPIT representatives.
NAPIT
polices and maintains its standards, with friendly support and
in partnership with its members.
We
must emphasise that a little knowledge is often sufficient to
make electrical equipment function, but a much higher level of
knowledge and experience is needed to ensure safety.
With
safety at stake nothing less should be acceptable.
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