Fibre break responsibility?

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Lias

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#237512 5-Jun-2018 19:59

Probably a question for @chorusNZ, but who pays when this happens?

Landlord engaged a fencing contractor to replace a broken fence post out the front of the house. Contractor discovers the hard way that the guys who installed fibre not only didn't put it in conduit, but ran it hard up against the fencepost, only a few cm under the surface.

Who pays? Chorus? Landlord? Fencing guy? Minimum wage installers from UCG who didn't bother to trench it properly in the first place?

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#2030203 5-Jun-2018 20:16

Surely the landlord would have know that their was fibre installed there before engaging with the contractor, and warned the contractor about it before commencing with any work?

chevrolux

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#2030205 5-Jun-2018 20:17

Guarantee you/landlord will get the bill from Chorus - at their extortionate hourly rate too.

"Cos it's definietly your fault. That ruggedized microduct is really really strong and can't be broken. That's why our installers are allowed to just lay it in the garden it staple it to a fence. Have you tried hitting it with a spade?! It barely scratches it. Like seriously, you must have Hulk'd out at it or something because it sooo strong. We had it in a conference room, in one of our focus groups, and couldn't manage to break it."

But it's all good guys! Chorus is just making the most of the most of their $2-billion budget to get as many people connected as possible. No cutting corners going on here.

Jokes aside, it absolutely sh1ts me Chorus is allowed to repeat all the crap installation methods that were used 40 years with quick copper installs that have only lead to faults exactly like this one for years to come.

Lias

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#2030213 5-Jun-2018 20:28

Wiggum:

Surely the landlord would have know that their was fibre installed there before engaging with the contractor, and warned the contractor about it before commencing with any work?

Nope, because he only just brought the house 2 weeks ago. I was the one who originally got it installed with the previous owners permission, but even I didn't realise it went as close to that fence post as it apparently did. I thought the installers ran it along the berm to the driveway, then ran it down the edge of the driveway (just this side of the blue cover you can see), then under the drive. So even if he'd told me he was getting the fencepost replaced, I wouldn't have been too concerned.

chevrolux

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#2030217 5-Jun-2018 20:36

Lias:

Wiggum:

Surely the landlord would have know that their was fibre installed there before engaging with the contractor, and warned the contractor about it before commencing with any work?

Nope, because he only just brought the house 2 weeks ago. I was the one who originally got it installed with the previous owners permission, but even I didn't realise it went as close to that fence post as it apparently did. I thought the installers ran it along the berm to the driveway, then ran it down the edge of the driveway (just this side of the blue cover you can see), then under the drive. So even if he'd told me he was getting the fencepost replaced, I wouldn't have been too concerned.

Also, the installers wouldn't have run that method past you anyway right?

The picture says a thousand words. You have the water toby, clearly marked with a bright blue pit over. You know the pipe enters at the front of the pit and exits out the back. Depths may vary a bit, but contractors know to be really careful digging around the area.

And then we go to the fibre. Oh look it's nice a deep... oh wait, nope it's not. Well at least is clearly marked... oh wait, nope again. Well it has decent mechanical protection.... ohhhhh.... maybe not so much.

rugrat

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#2030223 5-Jun-2018 20:46

I'd hope Chorus would be responsible, they cut corners on the install.

If they say not them then I guess proper legal opinion needed, a test case will be interesting.

Enable done install the same way with me, shallow dirt along fence line, and some of it on fence itself, so be interested to know.

Cbfd

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#2030277 5-Jun-2018 21:11

Fencing contractor pays as he did not correctly locate and identify services - this could of been a service lead or gas etc and he would still have to pay

Jase2985

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#2030325 5-Jun-2018 21:47

that black "cable" is the conduit, its a micro duct and the fibre is inside it.

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chevrolux

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#2030392 5-Jun-2018 22:43

Cbfd: Fencing contractor pays as he did not correctly locate and identify services - this could of been a service lead or gas etc and he would still have to pay

Except gas is ALWAYS at the correct depth and bright yellow.

A black, 10mm tube that could be 0-600mm deep is a very different story.

chevrolux

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#2030394 5-Jun-2018 22:45

rugrat:
I'd hope Chorus would be responsible, they cut corners on the install.

If they say not them then I guess proper legal opinion needed, a test case will be interesting.

Enable done install the same way with me, shallow dirt along fence line, and some of it on fence itself, so be interested to know.

The latest bill I have seen was around the $600 mark and was almost the same scenario.

I urged the customer to make a fuss but the majority of people just pay - especially business situations.

DarthKermit

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#2031205 7-Jun-2018 08:55

There seems to be so much of this Mickey Mouse approach to infrastructure and building going on in NZ. Not just with fibre installs. Look at some of the roading projects like the Kapiti Expressway seal leaking soon after it was opened and now a large housing development in Tauranga to name but a few.

Chorusnz

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#2031250 7-Jun-2018 09:31

Damage to our network is easily avoidable. We can provide information on our network at a specific location through beforeUdig.co.nz part of the New Zealand Utilities Advisory Group.

To avoid damaging underground telecommunications, power, water and gas services, beforeUdig.co.nz is the best place to start your project.

To use this free service, register on their website to request plans. To submit your request, you need to:

Provide details of your planned works including date, location and activity type
Draw the works on a map - you can use their mapping tool.

We'll confirm your request is received and you'll get information on underground services in the location within 48 hours. Please allow enough time to receive this before your planned start date.

the On-site cable location service:

A minimum base fee of $99 + GST is charged for all on-site cable locations. If the locate exceeds one hour, additional time is charged at $25 + GST per quarter hour block. However, if the cables are shown to be our core distribution cables and are on private property, we'll mark these out free of charge.

If you do damage our cables, cabinets or plinths t's important to contact us right away rather than attempting to repair the damage yourself. Call us on 0800 463 896 option 2 to report it.

If you accidentally damage the cable sheath while digging and there's no service loss, we'll repair the sheath with no cost to you.

If cable damage has been caused by irresponsibility, carelessness or negligence, we will bill the organisation or individual responsible.

The average cost to repair a damaged cable is approximately $750, however repair costs can range from $200 to more than $200,000 so it pays to take care.

^MIKE

DarthKermit

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#2031280 7-Jun-2018 10:18

Here's a fibre install just up the road from me:

They used 20 mm grey electrical conduit to go up and over the low concrete wall. One of the conduit elbows has been broken already. I've seen probably hundreds of similar installs.

rugrat

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#2031396 7-Jun-2018 12:51

Chorusnz:
To avoid damaging underground telecommunications, power, water and gas services, beforeUdig.co.nz is the best place to start your project.

I have to worry every time do the gardening, surely that isn’t right. Had some close calls.
Is it really under ground when you can see the cable.
Also if fence needs replacing with myself and others the current fence has been used as part of the install, I.e cable is on part of the fence, wonder what happens there.

Thank you for information provided.

Wiggum

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#2031407 7-Jun-2018 13:05

Lias:

Wiggum:

Surely the landlord would have know that their was fibre installed there before engaging with the contractor, and warned the contractor about it before commencing with any work?

Nope, because he only just brought the house 2 weeks ago. I was the one who originally got it installed with the previous owners permission, but even I didn't realise it went as close to that fence post as it apparently did. I thought the installers ran it along the berm to the driveway, then ran it down the edge of the driveway (just this side of the blue cover you can see), then under the drive. So even if he'd told me he was getting the fencepost replaced, I wouldn't have been too concerned.

Given this one some more thought, I think there is another party involved that may be expected to pay.

Who pays? Chorus? Landlord? Fencing guy? You (the tenant)?

As your renting it may be difficult. If I was you and as the tenant I would expect the landlord to "make right". Even if it costs him money out of his own pocket. Problem is that many landlords these days are really tight, and they just refuse paying for anything. As he is your new landlord lets just hope that he is a nice guy and he wants to keep a good relationship. If he is not, then its costly time between you and him and the tenancy tribunal (That I am sure you would win, but may take months), Your relationship with landlord will take a knock. If its not too expensive it may pay to just fork out the money yourself to get the cable fixed.

My 2 cents.

chevrolux

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#2031409 7-Jun-2018 13:11

Chorusnz:

Damage to our network is easily avoidable.

Tui ad right?

'Easily avoidable' would entail good practice with the installation and consistent install methods. There is no telling how deep a microduct might be. No warning tape. No other form of protection.

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