Members
Chair: Paul Harris
Andrew Fairless
Darren Griffiths
Eugene Conroy
Jason Fisher
Ken Holmes
Lee Cowie
Mark Richards
Martyn Stanway
Matthew Mears
Nigel Porter
Paul Wheldon
Peter Desforges
Phil Greenough
News and Updates
Expansion of the Electrical Technical Platform
The Electrical Technical Platform (ETP) is a group of electrical engineers working in all aspects of healthcare engineering.
The ETP wishes to expand the breadth of representation and technical input into sector specific guidance, our scope of representation in other British Standards, as well as progress the development of guidance information specifically for the benefit of IHEEM members.
As a member of the ETP there is a large amount of personal commitment required. In addition to the four formal ETP reporting meetings each year, there are regular technical discussion and document commenting workshops.
During 2023/2024 we will be running specific workshops and commenting forums not only industry guidance, but also the production of topic specific ‘pocket book’ guidance which will be led by subject specific experts in order to provide support to the membership in 2024.
Currently, the ETP is under-represented in the area of operations and maintenance in hospitals. Therefore, we wish to encourage applications from members who are currently operational staff in NHS or private sector hospitals.
Interested members from all areas of electrical healthcare engineering who are at any stage of their career and have an interest in developing healthcare standards and guidance to may apply to join the ETP by submitting an application of interest to clair.wilkins@iheem.org.uk in the first instance.
Applications should include an up to date CV detailing relevant experience based on the prerequisites detailed above, along with a statement detailing your reasons for wanting to join the Platform and setting out what qualities you feel you can bring to the group.
Closing date for applications is 4 September 2023. Previous applicants may apply.
New Amendment
A new Amendment of BS 7671: 2018 was published on the 28 March 2022. This has a large number of changes for the electrical industry, some of the significant changes are as follows:
- Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs)
- changes to fire safety requirements in chapter 422, covering the design of electrical installations in industrial, commercial and multiple-occupancy homes, as well as new information for ‘protected escape routes’
- protection against overvoltages
- changes across Part 7: Special Locations
- new part – Part 8 Prosumer’s Low Voltage Electrical Installations.
Whilst there are changes across the standard which are very important, there are changes to Section 710 Medical Locations which we anticipate will be of particular interest to IHEEM members. IHEEM has been represented within the JPEL 64 committees by members of the Electrical Technical Platform (ETP) and therefore, the ETP are looking forward to supporting members queries or concerns relating to the changes explain the logic applied to bring about the particular change to allow members to resolve their concerns about the technical intent of changes.
We would ask that now Amendment 2 of BS 7671:2018 has been published, members submit their questions, observations and feedback through the ‘ASK AN EXPERT’ in the knowledge hub on Institute website.
ETP invite comments from IHEEM Members
In addition to the recently announced 2023 Corrigendum to BS 7671:2018 +A2, the IHEEM ETP are currently engaged in working through potential new work items for the next edition of BS 7671 which is anticipated to be published in early 2026.
Whilst this may seem to be a long time in the future, IHEEM who are represented at the JPEL committees by members of the ETP, are required to have all new work proposals submitted for discussion prior to the 3rd of November 2023 in order that it be considered for the next amendment.
The ETP are therefore looking to our membership for comments or practical issues which members believe should be addressed in the next amendment of BS 7671. Whilst IHEEM focuses on matters relating to Section 710 medical locations within BS 7671, it should be noted that the whole of the standard applies to the electrical installations we design, install or maintain.
We ask that initially you respond with any comments, queries or topics for consideration to the Chair of the ETP, via Clair Wilkins (Platform Secretary) at clair.wilkins@iheem.org.uk.
We also intend to keep members informed in term of actions taken and progress made with the development of BS 7671.
Many thanks for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.
