BS7909

What is BS7909?

BS7909 is the Code of Practice for temporary electrical systems for entertainment and related purposes, and an extension of section 7 of the UK’s Electrical wiring code, BS7671.

Following the Codes of Practice ensures compliance with the Law outlined in the Electricity at Work Regulations, EAWR, 1989 and subsequently the Health and Safety at Work Act, HASAWA, 1974

Under the BS7909 code, a single person is ultimately responsible for all electrical safety associated with a production or event. 

This role is the Event Manager, defined as the person who is ultimately responsible for the hiring of crew and equipment.

The Event Manager is automatically deemed the Senior Person Responsible, SPR, regardless of their electrical knowledge.

The Event Manager can assign those duties, but not responsibilities, to a competent person and make them the SPR, with the authority to instigate and maintain safe electrical working practices for the entire production from the moment workers, who may use electrical equipment, are engaged.

In the vast majority of cases, this would need to be a separate role from the Gaffer or other Electrical grade responsible for on set Lighting, as they are typically not contracted early enough in the production process to advise in areas such as;

• a temporary production office,

• workshops

• instigating equipment testing regimes.

• other pre-show/shoot electrical advice

and in cannot be expected to undertake SPR duties while carrying out their on-set duties once recces, and principle photography has started.

Depending on the size of the shoot, the SPR may assign duties to Persons Responsible for ease of management.

Examples of Person Responsible;

• Gaffer

• Location Unit Manager

• Construction Manager

• Props Master

• Costume Supervisor

• Makeup Designer

• Production Office Secretary

• Any other department head, or 2nd in command.

All electrical appliances, including those provided by daily contractors, should carry  formal and valid test certification (often referred to as a PAT Test), and evidence provided to the SPR.

Examples of this are:

• Battery charging equipment,

• Monitors,

• Smoke Machines,

• Props,

• Hairdryers,

• lights,

• computers,

• kettles.

• extension reels,

Mobile Transportable Units fitted with permanently installed Electrical Circuits need to carry evidence of formal inspection, (usually referred to as an EICR – Electrical Installation Condition Report). Copies of the Units EICR should be held by the SPR.

Examples are;

• Dining buses

• Costume/Make up trucks

• Catering Kitchens

• Tech Vehicles,

• Portakabins

• Honeywagons

Locations, such as private houses, offices and commercial venues, hired out under a commercial agreement, should also supply an EICR for the buildings fixed Electrical systems, along with other proof of safety, such as Gas Safety Certificate , "PAT Testing" Certification and Fire Safety 

More on EICRs on the National Safety Inspections website

Who is responsible for an EICR Test - Info from UKsafetymanagement

Who Can Be the SPR?

Criteria outlined in 2012 by the working group set up to instigate an industry specific course state that an SPR should:

• be an experienced practitioner with at least 5 years of practical experience in the industry and sector in which they are usually employed - eg, Feature Film, TV Drama, Commercials, Theatre, Exhibitions, Live Events etc.

• is electrically competent to current standards  - BS7671

• have sat, completed and passed, a suitable BS7909 course

It was noted that a qualification in Inspection and Testing for fixed installations would be preferable, but not essential.

Due to the level of knowledge, management and responsibility involved, the ideal candidate for the SPR position would be a Gaffer, Best Boy or Chief LX, but it is important to note that in the majority of cases, the SPR role is a full time job and the technicians employed to manage the production's lighting requirements, would be unable to adequately fulfil the SPR duties in addition to their own.

How can Producers comply with BS7909?

Quite simply, the easiest way to ensure compliance is to engage a suitable SPR using the criteria set out above as soon as collecting EICR and PAT certification is required. This should be addressed early in pre-production to ensure proper communication and procedures, including gathering proof of electrical competences, appliance and system/installation safety, and collection and retention of certificates for 3rd party suppliers and crew supplied electrical equipment.

On larger projects, the Event Manager and SPR may elect to to set up an Electrical Department, separate to the Lighting Department, in order to design, install and operate temporary electrical systems not under the control of onset or rigging lighting crews, such as at Unit base, Tech base, Crowd base, locations, workshops, Studios (construction), catering, and any where  Complex Temporary Electrical Systems are in use. 

SPR Training

A training programme, updated with the latest industry guidance, replaces the old Skillset Certificate in Temporary Electrical Systems (SCiTES) and the Bectu NAPIT NA7909(3). The updated course has been created for all of those working with temporary power, particularly (but not exclusively) in the broadcast/film, theatre, festivals, shows and exhibition industries. 

Courses are delivered by James Eade, Chair of the BS7909 committee at BSi and Entertainment Electrical Engineer, or his colleagues, who all have extensive experience of working in the industry. This means that candidates can be confident that the tutors will be able to understand their working environment and answer their questions.

BECTU are Hosting the full 3 day course under the 

JET 7909 Electrical programme

The course consists of written theory assessments and practical exercises and is taught in a modular format with an open-book assessment at the end of each module. The assessments are a mix of short written questions/answers and multiple-choice questions. There is also a practical element where candidates will demonstrate to the assessor their observation and electrical inspection skills and testing of electrical systems using equipment supplied by the tutor. 

Successful candidates will receive a certificate Assured by City & Guilds. 

Over 1300 people have sat, and passed, the initial 2 day course, under SCiTES, which did not contain the practical & testing elements  subsequently added later.

Under the new scheme, 3rd day has been added to teach Inspection and Testing methods to BS7909 standards, followed by a Practical Testing and Certification Assessment.

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