This topic

FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

FloFosterJenkins — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 12:45:11 GMT

Holes must be drilled for cable ingress and for fixing the ONT and the outside box. Are installers covered for accidental damage to pipes/cables, or do they have to pay out of their own pocket?

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

licquorice — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 12:49:14 GMT

That is a question for Openreach and their sub contractors. It has absolutely nothing to do with BT

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

jac_95 — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 12:54:19 GMT

It would be Openreach or a contractor on behalf of Openreach doing the installation of full fibre.

You might be interested in this link if you have a complaint about damage to your property: https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/when-to-get-in-touch-with-openreach/complaints-policy

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

iniltous — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 13:11:23 GMT

OR employees have utility/ stud finders , and drill from inside out so the chances of hitting a hidden service are small , but with plastic water pipes etc there is always a small chance of hitting one , if that’s the case OR pay for the damage not the individual employee , unless they make a habit of doing the same thing time and again, it in which case there may be repercussions for that employee , but not to the extent of them having to paying for the damage directly.
Contractors working on behalf of OR may take a different approach but ultimately the damage is repaired at no cost to the householder .
Some complaints though may be dismissed, hitting a water pipe wouldn’t be challenged, but something like a small part of brick detached from the wall , where the hole was drilled ( which can be pretty much unavoidable ) they wouldn’t offer to rebuild the wall or even replace the brick , they may make attempts to make it visually less obvious but their are limits .

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

FloFosterJenkins — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:22:02 GMT

I thought someone on this forum might have had experience, and would know.

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

licquorice — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:30:28 GMT

But it would only be hearsay rather than an authoritative answer.

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

FloFosterJenkins — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:31:51 GMT

There is no damage. A Morissons engineer refused yesterday to drill the few holes required to fix the ONT and the exterior box because his detector was showing red. I assured him that the 1911 house’s flank wall is of double brick construction and concealed nothing.
Openreach will site the ONT in the same location as the current broadband box. The engineer who fitted that had no concerns about drilling there.
The engineer said that he had had to pay £600 of his own money last week because he’d hit a pipe or cable, despite assurances from the fish and chip shop owner that it was safe. I don’t believe him.
So the 2nd attempt to install has failed.

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

FloFosterJenkins — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:36:43 GMT

Not if it was from someone who works in such business. My guess is that engineers are insured against such damage.

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

licquorice — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:41:46 GMT

But how would you know that it wasn't your Morrisons guy replying with the same BS?

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

iniltous — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:54:20 GMT

TBH , the solution would be pretty simply , let you drill the holes , if you hit a hidden service that would be your problem not the installers.

As stated , contractors are not employed by OR , the arrangement OR have is with the contract company not the individual contractor, so the safeguards for the contract engineer isn’t the same as direct labour , contractors could be liable depending on the terms of the contract they have with the company that employs them , and obviously they can have a ‘hire and fire’ mentality .

Openreach couldn’t arbitrarily make a tech making an honest mistake, pay directly for the error , however , if a machine designed to detect hidden services , detected something it would be foolhardy to proceed, as said , they should have handed you the drill .

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

36ULW — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 18:31:44 GMT

Openreach Engineers are covered by Accidental Damage through Openreach. Although that doesn’t mean they’ll drill holes here there and everywhere without facing repercussions if they’re caught drilling holes without using a Mains Detector and or Drilling out even though the Detector showed something may be there.

As for Contractors that’s a different story. I can’t speak for Morrisons but I know Quinn’s and Kelly’s guys, although they work for Quinn’s/Kelly’s they’re in fact Self Employed so are responsible for having their own Damage Liability Insurance.

I can understand you assuring them there’s nothing there but are you going to assure them you won’t peruse a damage claim if they did drill through a water pipe, electric cable, etc?

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

FloFosterJenkins — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 06:05:19 GMT

If I were in his shoes I’d need an assurance in writing that the customer would bear full responsibility.
I said that I’d drill the holes myself, and asked if he had a template, thinking he was referring to the outside box. He left me one but it was for the ONT, which will go where a previous engineer drilled. If I can get hold of a template for the outside box, I’ll drill those holes too.

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

36ULW — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 07:28:32 GMT

There is no Drill Template for the CSP.

Is it an External CSP?

If so it’s only 2 holes you need to drill and if you’re drilling into the brick that shouldn’t be an issue.

The only time drilling externally becomes an issue is on Rendered walls or walls with that Insulated stuff on the outside.

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

FloFosterJenkins — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 09:36:30 GMT

It’s bloomin’ pebbledash. I think the installer made that excuse about cables because he didn’t fancy pebbledash and needing a ladder to attach the box. What’s more the bricks beneath are made of steel. I intend to drill the holes for the ONT. Might remove the now-redundant Openreach box if I can get the cover off.

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

36ULW — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 12:24:14 GMT

Is it Pebble Dash straight onto Brick or Pebble Dash on External Wall Insulation?

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

FloFosterJenkins — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 14:49:55 GMT

Pebbledash straight onto brick.

I’ve now removed the defunct broadband box and confidently drilled the holes ready to receive the ONT. I didn’t get electrocuted nor are there any water or gas leaks.

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

36ULW — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 15:01:19 GMT

You wanted him to drill where the ONT was?

Im not surprised his Mains Tester Alarmed. Would’ve been picking up the 230v and probably a Wall Stud Alarm with it being right next to the Door Frame.

Re: FTTP installation: cover for accidental damage to pipes/cables.

FloFosterJenkins — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 15:12:50 GMT

It’s an Openreach Master Socket 5C. No mains anywhere under the surface. Maybe he picked up the spur round the corner.