Go Flash Limited

Before Booking

General Inspections

Before booking an inspection, please ensure you have the relevant documentation completed. For general inspection work, a Certificate of Compliance is required at the time of inspection. An electronic copy is to be sent to inspections@goflash.co.nz prior to the job being booked, if possible.

Ensure you have contacted your energy retailer and requested a metering change if required. New Solar installs require the meters to be changed to import/export.

New Connections

✅ What you need to do

Remember to inform Network Tasman that Flash will be completing the work.

  1. Complete the Network Connection Application (NCA) online. This is required for: new connection, temporary builder’s supply, capacity upgrade/downgrade, point-of-supply relocation, etc. (Link to Network Tasman NCA)
  2. Submit your NCA and allow NTL up to five business days for initial assessment. (Link to Network Tasman Azure Forms)
  3. If approved, NTL will issue approval and forward the NCA to your chosen energy retailer, your electrical contractor/installer (an Accredited Installing Contractor or AIC) for you to arrange further work.
  4. Ensure that all electrical work and installation complies with:

💰 Costs & financial contributions

  • There are fees applied to NCAs for new connections, builder’s supplies, upgrades and reconnections.
  • A Network Development Levy or Capital Contribution may be required if the proposed new connection (or load) involves additional expenditure to maintain or extend the network in less-economical zones.
  • NTL reserves the right to decline connection to parts of the network where capacity or economic feasibility is lacking.

🛠 Technical / design requirements

  • For new connections, NTL will assess whether capacity is available at the point of connection; if not, additional work may be required (and costed accordingly). (Link to Commerce Commission)
  • The installation must meet NTL’s Network Standards, and in some cases the supply must be “balanced” across phases when it is 2- or 3-phase in rural settings.
  • For small-scale generation (if relevant) NTL has extra conditions—although that is for generation rather than purely new supply. (Link to Network Tasman Generation)

📝 What you should prepare / check

Be aware of the timeframes: While initial response is within ~5 business days, full detailed assessment (if needed) may take longer. (Link to Commerce Commission)

Choose your energy retailer and notify them of your intended connection, so your supply agreement is in place. (Link to Network Tasman NCA)

Ensure your nominated electrical contractor / AIC is approved and able to do work under NTL’s network.

Confirm site readiness: e.g., appropriate meter board/box, qualified electrician to do installation, correct documentation, any easements consents done, etc. (Link to Network Tasman Azure Forms)

Hazardous Area Inspections

  • 1. Who can perform the inspection
  • The work in a hazardous area is considered “prescribed electrical work” and must be inspected by a person authorised by their registration/licence and who has not carried out or supervised the work.
  • For an inspector to be registered as an “Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Hazardous Areas)” via the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB), requirements include:
    • Having held registration as an Electrical Inspector for at least 2 years.
    • Having at least 2 years of practical experience in the prescribed electrical work of an Electrical Inspector.
    • Having at least 1 year (or ~2,000 hours) of practical experience in a hazardous area or substantially similar.
    • Have knowledge/skills in control of explosion hazards; use of explosion-protected equipment; risk management; safety functions for hazardous areas.
  • 2. What standards and regulations apply to the inspection
  • Regulation 14 of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations states: for work in hazardous areas, inspection must be in accordance with the standard AS/NZS 60079.17 (“Explosive atmospheres – Part 17: Electrical installations inspection and maintenance”).
  • The Reg 70/72 of the Regulations specify that work in hazardous areas must be inspected.
  • Periodic verification is required: According to WorkSafe New Zealand, installations in hazardous areas fall under “in-service safety verification” and must be inspected periodically by a competent person.
  • 3. 📝 Documentation and records needed
  • A key document is a Record of Inspection (RoI) or a “Statement of Periodic Verification” for hazardous areas. Go Flash can supply these.
  • For hazardous-area installations, the inspector/owner must maintain a verification dossier including all explosion-protected electrical equipment and inspection reports (e.g., from 4-yearly inspections). (Link to WorkSafe)
  • For new or modified installations: a Certificate of Compliance + Record of Inspection + Electrical Safety Certificate (or equivalent depending on situation) must accompany the connection.
  • 4. Scope and frequency of inspection
  • For a new installation or when work has been done: inspection must occur before connection to supply (high-risk work) so the installation is safe and meets Act/Regulations.
  • For in-service hazardous-area installations: periodic inspection at least every 4 years is common practice according to guidance.
  • The inspection must cover both low-voltage and extra-low voltage parts of the installation when in hazardous area context.
  • 5. What to inspect / check

The inspector must verify that:

  • All equipment installed in the hazardous area is zone-rated (i.e., suitable for the explosion risk zone: Zone 0, 1, 2 or Zone 20, 21, 22) and marked accordingly.
  • The installation has been designed and installed in accordance with the relevant standards: for general wiring, AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules); for hazardous area installations, AS/NZS 60079-series (explosive atmospheres) including 60079.17 for inspection.
  • The protective systems (explosion protection techniques) are functioning: e.g., flameproof enclosures, intrinsic safety, purged/pressurised systems, dust-exclusion, etc.
  • The documentation (verification dossier, inspection records, certificates) is complete, accurate, and matches the equipment on site.
  • Any deficiencies found are documented and there is a plan for remediation (the periodic inspection is a report, not just a “pass/fail”).
  • 6. Owner/operator responsibilities

While not strictly the inspector’s role, owners/operators must ensure:

  • The hazardous-area installation is maintained, remains electrically safe, and they must not allow use if unsafe.
  • The documentation (verification dossier, RoI, etc) is available for inspection.
  • They engage an appropriately registered and competent inspector when needed.
  • Summary

In short: For an electrical inspection in a hazardous area in New Zealand, the inspector must be appropriately registered/endorsed, follow the required standards (especially AS/NZS 60079.17 and AS/NZS 3000), inspect both new works and periodic in-service installations, produce the necessary documentation (RoI, verification dossier), check that equipment is rated for the zone and safe, and ensure that any deficiencies are captured.

Body protected Area

  • 1. Inspector qualification & scope

An inspector doing a BPA must:

  • Be competent in the patient-area / medical-electrical arena: testing of RCDs, knowledge of equipotential bonding, shock hazard control in patient environments.
  • The installation falls under “intended for use with electrical medical devices” and is a high-risk installation under Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 — hence inspection/verification is required.
  • Know the relevant standards: AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules) as modified by AS/NZS 3003 for patient areas; and for equipment testing AS/NZS 3551.
  • 2. What is a Body Protected Area (BPA)

A BPA is defined as an area where mains-powered electrical medical equipment is used on a patient (diagnosis, treatment, monitoring). This requires enhanced electrical protection (beyond normal wiring) because patients are more vulnerable.

Key features:

  • The electrical installation in the area must comply with AS/NZS 3003.
  • Use of medical-grade RCDs (10 mA trip) for socket outlets serving the area.
  • Signage: The area must be designated with a “Body Protected Area” sign (typically green) including date of last inspection.
  • All equipment (both medical and general appliances within the BPA) must be tested to medical-electrical equipment standard (AS/NZS 3551) or appropriate equivalent.
  • 3. What the inspection by the inspector should cover

When performing the inspection/verfication the inspector should:

  • Visual & labelling/marking checks
    • Confirm that the room/area is clearly designated as a BPA, signage in place with last test/inspection date.
    • Check that all socket outlets in the area are protected by 10 mA RCDs (medical-grade) and that the RCDs are located within the area served (not elsewhere).
    • Ensure at least one outlet for cleaning equipment is provided and labelled (“Cleaning Purposes Only”) and is within or adjacent to the area per standard.
    • Check condition of wiring, outlets, switches, that nothing obviously unsafe or non-compliant.
  • Testing of protective devices and circuit behaviour
    • Test RCD trip times/currents: For medical-grade RCDs (10 mA) ensure trip current/time meets standard.
    • Verify earthing/grounding / equipotential bonding as required (especially if BPA has additional protection requirements).
    • Confirm that circuits supplying the BPA are segregated / clearly identified from general circuits as needed.
  • Equipment testing / appliance checks
    • Confirm that all medical electrical equipment in the area (and general equipment that may touch or be used near a patient) is tagged/tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3551.
    • Check that the documentation (service records, calibration, tagging) for the equipment is available.
  • Documentation / certification
    • Provide a certificate or statement of verification that the BPA meets the requirements of AS/NZS 3003 (and relevant installation standard) following inspection.
    • The verification should include: date, inspector name, scope of work, results of tests, any remedial actions required.
    • The inspection cycle: the BPA should be inspected and re-verified at least every 12 months (unless local policy or standard specifies otherwise) as part of ongoing compliance.
  • Recommendations / remedial action
    • If any non-compliances are found (RCD not correct, signage missing, equipment not tested, etc), the inspector must document them and recommend corrective action, with timelines.
    • Follow up to ensure that the area remains safe for patient use until full compliance is achieved.
  • 4. Who is responsible / when to inspect
  • The owner/operator of the facility (PCBU) must ensure that the BPA is safe and maintained. The inspector is independent of the installation work (i.e., cannot inspect work they carried out).
  • Inspection is required for new installations / alterations, and periodic verification for in-service.
  • Even if the standard AS/NZS 3003 is not mandated, it is recognised as a tool for compliance under the Health and Safety at Work Act. (Link to nzihe.org.nz)