Inspection & Testing - Special Locations
Houseboats
There can be many different permutations of vessel but, essentially, a houseboat is a permanently moored
vessel used as a dwelling which will not move from its berth other than for long-term relocation. There are no
other stated definitions for sizes of houseboats but, under these circumstances, the electrical installation of a houseboat in the United Kingdom will need to comply with BS 7671.
The following is extracted from the scope of Section 709, Marinas and similar locations, Regulation 709.1 of BS 7671:2008:
NOTE 3: The electrical installations of houseboats shall comply with the general requirements of these (BS 7671:2008) Regulations together with the relevant particular requirements of Part 7.
Although houseboats are dwellings they do not fall within the scope of Part P of the Building Regulations in England and Wales nor are they subject to the requirements of the Building Regulations (Scotland), whether stationary, moving or landed.
The Building Regulations apply only to what the regulations define as buildings and it was decided some 15 years ago that houseboats would not be regarded as buildings. The same criteria applies to caravans and mobile homes, whether stationary or moving. The main reason is practicality.
Houseboats and mobile homes are generally manufactured offsite, often abroad and, hence, it would be impossible in most cases for building control officers to carry out building control functions to ensure that the houseboats were manufactured to the standards in the Building Regulations.
There are, of course, still dangers associated with the installation and use of gas and electricity.
Legal requirements
Those working on the electrical installations of vessels must comply with the Electricity at Work regulations 1989. No competent-person schemes currently exist to mirror the requirements of the Building Regulations where marine contractors or their employees are assessed for competency.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have requirements for the operation of pleasure vessels and information can be obtained from their website at www.mcga.gov.uk. Note that pleasure vessels carrying more than twelve Passengers are deemed to be passenger ships and will need to comply with the Passenger Ship Regulations.
The standard has requirements for comprehensive electrical testing after installation:
- insulation resistance
- circuits and appliances tested under operating conditions for suitability
- voltage drop
- internal communication circuits
- continuity of protective conductors
Further information and reading can be found in the following publications with source locations shown:
- BS 7671:2008 Requirements for Electrical Installations, IEE Wiring Regulations, Seventeenth Edition
- The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity regulations (ESQCR) - www.berr.gov.uk/files/file15239.pdf
- Recreational Craft Directive - www.berr.gov.uk/files/file11294.pdf
- ISO 10133:2000, 2nd Edition – Small craft - Electrical systems - Extralow- voltage d.c. installations
- ISO 6722:2002 - Road vehicles - 60 V and 600 V single-core cables - Dimensions, test methods and requirements
- ISO 13297:2000 - Small craft Electrical systems – Alternating current installations
- IEC 60446 4th Edition 2007 – Basic and safety principles for manmachine interface, marking and identification - Identification of conductors by colours or alphanumerics
- IEC 60092-507 Ed 2 2007 – Electrical installations in ships – Small vessels
- IEC 60092-350 Ed. 3.0 2008 – General construction and test methods of power, control and instrumentation cables for shipboard and offshore applications
- IEC 60092-352 IEC 60092-352 Ed. 3.0 2005 - Choice and installation of electrical cables
- Electricity at Work regulations 1989
- Electricity at Work regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999
ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections Limited are able to provide a full electrical inspection and testing service of electrical installations and associated services on Houseboats and fixed marine craft.