Resistance test advice

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sunelectricbx

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Boca Raton, Florida
There was a fire at a retail job we completed the last day of the job. The flooring contractor left the poly soaked rags in a plastic garbage pail after working overnite on a friday and the pail went on fire over the weekend. The fire was quickly extinguished by sprinklers and FD, not much damage.

Now the electrical inspector for the town wants me to run Electrical Insulation Resistance Tests on the conductors and fill out a report.

I dont have much experience with megger testers, does it take a lot of time?
Its an 1800 sq. ft. retail store with about 50 1'x4' fluorescent fixtures, 60 hi-hats with ballast (metal halide hi-hats, really cool lights) and standard power i.e. cash wrap, general receptacles, etc.
We also installed a 200A subpanel that was no where near the fire.

Thanks in advance.
I appreciate any advice.
 
"I dont have much experience with megger testers, does it take a lot of time?"

First off. If you do not know how to use a meager then you should NOT be using it! It can Kill you!

It doesn't take much time........ but it needs to be done by someone with training!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Do not do it your self! If the Insp. requries this done hire a testing company to come in and do the test and supply all test results, this way if something is missed it will not fall back on you. Or if the insurance company gets involved in the matter they can bring their own elect. eng. in to do the testing and supply reports
 
It's a real treat too.... Most of the time you need to disconnect any "loads" like ballasts, GFCI's, motors, etc., while the test is being done on the conductors. The megger test is normally done at twice the normal operating voltage, and it can hose electronic items up if not disconnected, and show a false short for items that it doesn't fry. Fun, fun. There can be literally a big binder of test documentation that will accompany a megger test of a building such as yours.
 
Doing these measurements is not very difficult or that dangerous if you follow manufacturers instructions; although it would require good book keeping to document your results. However, as others have said, from a liability point of view, it would be wise to have an independent company perform the work. Plus, it would save you from buying a megger that you may not use again.
 
Too late I bought an Amprobe AMB-6D Megatest. It looks relatively simple to use. I know that it will take a lot of time to disconnect all the loads, every ligt fixture hasa ballast (fluorescent, HID, neon etc.) I am charging them by the day.
The form given to me by the town has 3 boxes to check off and sign with your license #.
1-No damage
2-Damaged and repaired
3-Damaged and needs repair
Its only one page and they dont ask for an actual report, they want you to sign off on it.
What does it cost for an outside company?
It was a vey small fire that was extinguished before there was any real damage.

Any more advice will be greatly appeciated.
 
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