ENGINEERING INSTRUCTIONS
An explanation

ENGINEERING INSTRUCTIONS
General Description

1. Engineering Instructions (E.I.s) are the main working instructions for P.O. staff employed on engineering and associated work. They are in loose'leaf form.

2. Responsibility for action on receipt of E.I.s.
Individual E.I.s may call for action by more than one duty in an office and a suggested method of assigning responsibility for action is contained in Respon'sibilities, A 0051.

3. E.I.s marked 'FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION'
These must be read on receipt and any action indicated must be taken without delay. The marking will normally be deleted from subsequent issues.

4. Associated Instructions.

• Principles of distribution - A 0010
• Local filing and maintenance of files - A 0011
• Binders and covers - A 0012
• Setting-up, amendment and cancellation of files - A 0013
• Functions of Distribution Centres - A 0014
• List of Basic Duties - A 0018
• Issue of local E.I.s - Regions and Eng. Dept. Branches - A 0024

5. Designation
The identity of an E.I. (its 'Designation') is given by its:-

DIVISION
Sub-division
Section letter
Number

These details are printed in the top right-hand corner of each page in particular type faces as for example:
GENERAL, GENERAL, A 0001, as on this Instruction.

6. Divisions:

GENERAL
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOUNTS & STATISTICS
INTERNAL WIRING
LINES
MISCELLANEOUS
POWER
PROTECTION
RADIO
STAFF
STORES
TELEGRAPHS
TELEPHONES
TESTS & INSPECTIONS
TOOLS & TRANSPORT
TRANSMISSION
WAYLEAVES
WORKS  

7. Sub-divisions
Each Division contains a number of Sub-divisions. Apart from 'Indexes', the first sub'division is always 'General', the others naturally depend on the subject of the Division. The Sub'divisions (and their Sections) of each Division are shown in Instruction A 0000 in the 'General' Sub'division in that Division.

8. Sections
Each Sub-division contains a maximum of 26 Sections (lettered A-Z). The first (Section A 0018 A) is always 'General'; the last (Section Z) is 'Miscellaneous'; the others are used for various subjects as appropriate.

9. Numbers
Every E.I. has a four-figure number. In those Divisions (usually on technical subjects) in which the scheme is appropriate the significance of the numbering is as follows:-

0000-0999 Instructions applying generally to the subject of the Section

1000-1999 Instructions describing plant items or theory

2000-2999 Instructions describing future or incomplete developments

3000-3999 Instructions describing installation or provision of plant

4000-4999 Instructions describing operation of plant

5000-5999 Instructions describing maintenance of plant

6000-6999 Instructions describing the keeping of records

7000-7999 Spare series

8000-8999 Spare series

9000-9999 Instructions issued locally or of restricted application. The source of issue of such an Instruction is shown by a code following the number:

e.g. H 9016 (Mid), B 9035 (Tpm).

An Instruction applying to more than one 'thousands' group is given a number in either the '0000' or the '1000' group.

10. 'General'
Under the designation 'General' are normally placed those E.I.s which relate to more than one of the subjects of the Divisions, Sub'divisions or Sections as the case may be, e.g. E.I.s in TOOLS & TRANSPORT, General will refer to matters affecting more than one of the Sub-divisions Hand Tools, Mechanical Aids, or Vehicles.

11. 'Miscellaneous'
The term 'Miscellaneous' is normally used to cover relatively minor items which, although they have a separate and well defined identity, are not 'General', e.g. the Division MISCELLANEOUS covers Fire Alarms and Time Services. The Sections Z serve a similar purpose within the smaller fields of the Sub-divisions.

Last revised: November 05, 2022