Why You Should Only Work with Data Centre Installers Who Issue a CoC
When you hire a professional to do a job, you always want to be sure that they would perform the job adequately and adhere to acceptable standards. This is not a problem for most companies, as they usually have vendor lists and approved contractors they can contact if they need a product or service. Unfortunately, not all service providers have equal merit and there are occasions when you would have to enlist the services of a new vendor. How would you determine if they are a legitimate and competent contractor to decide whether their services are adequate for what you require? You could potentially get references from their other clients, but that is still little guarantee of their competence. That is what makes a COC (Certificate of Compliance) so important – it serves as a basic guarantee that someone can perform a job. In this article, we explain what a Certificate of Compliance is, what it is used for, and why it is necessary.
What is a COC and Why is It Necessary?
A Certificate of Compliance (COC) is a document or certificate that serves as a verification of someone’s skill and adherence to the standards set out by a regulatory body (like the ECA). A COC is not simply a piece of paper with the word “compliance” stamped on it – it is a legal agreement that ensures a contractor’s work is worth more than just their word. It is also a kind of warranty that the product or service in question is safe to use.
Certificates of Compliance are necessary for several reasons. The primary reason is safety. Any kind of electrical work is dangerous, including the installation of data centres (a procedure which entails the handling and installation of electrical wiring, amongst other aspects). By adhering to minimum safety standards, a contractor ensures both their own safety and the safety of their clients. You would not want to walk into your top-of-the-line new data centre knowing it is a death trap, after all! The other important reason is that compliance certificates serve as a warranty that activates in the event that inferior or incomplete work is delivered.
It is important to note that a COC does not absolve a contractor from any liabilities that may occur as a result of the service rendered or the product delivered. If a COC is issued and it transpires that the product or service is not up to the standards the COC upholds, then the contractor involved may face serious legal consequences, not to mention potentially being held liable for fixing any mistakes or shortcomings that were overlooked or ignored during the initial labour phase. A valid Certificate of Compliance will inform you of all the work that was completed and will usually also indicate the standards according to which compliance was measured. If a service does not meet the minimum safety requirements, as set out by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (1993), then a certificate cannot be issued.
What Are CCI’s Main Compliance Affiliates?
CCI Technology Solutions is a registered electrical contractor with the Electrical Contractors’ Association of South Africa (ECA / ECASA) and with the Electrical Contracting Board (ECB). This means that we adhere to the strict standards put in place by these regulators (in addition to the minimum requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1993). The practical application of being registered with two different regulatory bodies is that our clients will not have to appoint separate contractors for the work that needs to be done (such as hiring one contractor for installing the mainframe in a data centre, and another one to handle the wiring, and so forth).
Work done by us is work you can count on. Contact us if you want to know more.
