226 
The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. 
f July 
In giving his decision the Judge came to the conclusion that the work had not 
been properly done, and that steps had been taken to conceal that fact, and he assessed 
the damages at £170. He stated, however, that he must give judgment for the 
defendant because of his plea of the Statute of Limitations. 
In commenting on this case the article says, “ Here we have a condition of things 
which cannot but be regarded as serious. The plaintiff has let a contract for Avork, 
defects in which, by concealment on the part of the contractor, have not been disccwerecl 
by her until eight years after completion—each year, be it remembered, adding to the 
deterioration of the insulation of the Avire, and, consequently, to the fire risk—and is 
debarred by the lapse of time from recovering damages. The case clearly shows the 
importance, both to the public and fire offices, of skilled and careful supervision of 
wiring during its erection. To discover grave faults such as these existing in this 
particular installation after the work is completed will baffle the most experienced of 
fire surveyors. Tests for insulation resistance will not reveal them until a leak has 
been set up, and a visual examination will necessitate the taking-up of carpets and 
floor-boards and the removal of skirtings. The writer has often, after inspecting 
accessible portions of installations neatly arranged, gone away wondering how many 
buried iniquities there are somewhere Avhich only a leakage of current, possibly 
leading to a fire, Avill disclose.” 
I have already referred to the necessity of making inspections on 
installations, and think I have made out a good case, but I desire to add 
that not all the faults found are deliberate. Some are made in ignorance, 
while others are purely accidental or through the want of a little forethought 
on the part of the Avorker. And in regard to the electrical contractors 
generally, I am pleased to acknowledge that they can be relied on for 
good honest service, and welcome inspections as a protection against 
the less scrupulous, for, like every other trade, there are always “ some 
others.” 
The fire underwriters were not long in discovering the necessity of 
framing regulations for guidance in electrical work, for there is no doubt 
that in the early days huge sums must have gone up in smoke, due to the 
electrical hazard. This action by the underwriters was probably a blessing 
in disguise, as the manufacturer was compelled to take the fire hazard into 
consideration in designing apparatus in order to meet the restrictions 
imposed by the fire offices. 
What is claimed to be the first set of rules issued was published by 
the New York Board of Fire Underwriters, dated the 19th October, 1881, 
and consisted of five clauses. So much has been learned since then that 
to-day we in the Dominion have a set of rules containing 121 clauses and, 
in addition, an addendum giving an extract from the Home Board of Trade 
Regulations. The rules are based on those drawn up by the Institute of 
Electrical Engineers (London), and with such modifications as may be 
necessary to suit our own local conditions. They are intended to include 
only such requirements and precautions as are generally necessary, but 
they are intended neither to take the place of a detailed specification nor 
to instruct untrained persons. 
It is popularly supposed that if an installation will pass the Sk megger ” 
test there is no risk from fire, and a casual glance at the installation is 
quite sufficient if the test is good. This idea is altogether erroneous, for the 
only thing we learn from a megger test is whether or not there is a leakage 
to earth or between conductors, and to what extent. Certainly it is a 
point that is required to be known, but it does not indicate if there be any 
“ dry ” joints, overloaded wires, wires without protective covering under 
floors or behind walls, and, shortly, whether the work has been carried 
out faithfully or not and with good materials. Tests vary considerably 
