Private Party

[adam2]

As regards emergency lighting, I would suggest hireing or buying a small cheap generator, use this to feed festoon lighting with 25 watt incandescent lamps. One festoon in the marquee, and another around the garden or field.

This generator should be started at dusk (or before if daylight inside the tent is not sufficient) and left running until the event ends.

 

This will give protection against a general power cut and not just against your supply tripping.

 

A basic 2KVA petrol generator can be purchased for a few hundred pounds and is likely to be useful in future, provided that you can store it safely.

 

I would have less confidence in self contained battery emergency lighting because most types require charging for up to 24 hours, and are unlikely to be fully charged when called on.

 

As a second line of defense, consider supplying torches to all bar and catering workers, not just to the bouncers.

 

 

If you dont want the noise and fuel handling for a generator, then consider either Tilley lamps or bottled gas lights for outdoors.

Inside consider battery floursecent lanterns, these are widely sold and run for at least 10 hours on 4 alkaline D cells, 6 such lanterns hung up out of reach would provide enough light for safe movement.

Any Tilley lamps, gas lamps, or battery lanterns should be lit throughout the hours of darkness, dont count on someone lighting them in the dark!

[Harvey_51]

Hi,

 

I have also had a 63a Ceeform put in my house for a party we had. Just might want to bear in mind that if you have a 100a three supply and you are drawing a full 63 on one phase and the house is drawing 37/38 then it could take the fuse out. And apparently you can only get replacement fuses from the electrical provider so not sum-thing you can replace that night

 

Sorry if this information is incorrect it is just what I have been told.

 

Jordan

[Joe Betts]

On your meter, where it says 3 x 50A NOM, what does this mean?

 

It means 3 x 50A nominal Load i.e. The nominal maximum load for each of 3 phases is 50A.

 

Looking at the pic, it seems you have 3 phases + N coming into your meter, and out, but in the Switch board

above it there is only a single phase RCD and 2 single phase breakers.

 

I would recomend you get an electrician in to look at this, and install a feed for you.

You should never do this yourself anyway, thats why sparks do a 4 year apprentaship.

 

Either way you have a 50A x 3 Domestic supply, so you will not get your desired 63A per phase.

 

You might be best looking at a genny here, this would save you alot of hassle, and you wont need a spark if you ask

for it to come with your desired connections.

[adam2]

The marking on the meter of "50 A nominal" does not mean that the supply is restricted to 50 amps, the nominal rating appears to be some sort of average rating, or perhaps the current at which the meter was calibrated for accuracy.

A meter at work has almost identical markings, and is on a 3 phase 100 amp service.

The new meter recently installed at my home is marked "20/80 A , 40A nominal" and is definatly on a single phase 80 amp service.

 

I would certainly agree that an approved electrician should do this work, the O/P has already stated that this would be the case.

 

Replacement fuses to fit the suppliers cut out are sold by most trade suppliers. I cant imagine what for, since it is prohibited for the customer, or theire electrician to fit these ;)

Perhaps people buy the fuses in case the supply company engineer has run out !

 

The supply company will normaly replace a blown cut out fuse within the hour, but only once or perhaps twice. Repeated blowing of fuses suggests that the consumer should moderate the load or pay for an upgraded supply.

[Nick LX]

Great! More to reasearch. I'll look into these battery powered lights and also a small gennie.

 

Thanks

[Ynot]

Great! More to reasearch. I'll look into these battery powered lights and also a small gennie.

Don't want to be an "I told you so" but do you see why several have recommended getting a pro company in to do this event? There are SO many bits and bobs that are important, indeed essential, to the smooth running AND safety for you and your guests that they may very well have covered under business as usual...

[Nick LX]

Great! More to reasearch. I'll look into these battery powered lights and also a small gennie.

Don't want to be an "I told you so" but do you see why several have recommended getting a pro company in to do this event? There are SO many bits and bobs that are important, indeed essential, to the smooth running AND safety for you and your guests that they may very well have covered under business as usual...

 

I understand completley. I will speak to my parents and see what I can do about getting them to look at proper event planners.

[paulears]

It does occur to me that the point of a party like this is to have fun - if you are doing all this work, you'll spend the day stressed and worried, and not enjoy a minute of it. Getting others in seems to be a great way to have a good night!

[charleshope]

Do your 'bouncers' all have SIA licences ?

 

Are you employing them yourself - in which case you also require an SIA licence. If they are contracted in from another company, then you don't. (but they still do, nomatter who employs them).

 

It is a criminal offence to employ non licenced door supervisors, as well as them comitting the offence of being non licenced themselves.

 

 

Don't forget to check that they have their badges on them, and that they are clearly displayed.

 

 

 

EDIT: to add further info.

 

You only need licenced 'bouncers' if you are required to by your local authority. Since the event is private. the LA doesn't come into the picture.

[Rob_Beech]

This is true, however they are very restricted in what they can do. If they, for example, touch someone who is on the property and shouldn't be they could well be prosecuted for it.

 

Rob

[johnhuson]

I will speak to my parents and see what I can do about getting them to look at proper event planners.

A quick word of advice I'd be careful about what sort of 'event planner' you look for, a lot of planners are more geared up to the design element of an event rather than the actual technical aspects. This is usually dealth with by a production company or in the case of an event the size of yours any decent hire company who has experience in outdoor events will be able to advise you on what you need.