Advice

Electrical Safety in Your Home

Recent surveys show that over 2 million homes in the UK need some kind of electrical repair. Older houses are especially at risk.

There are also 2,000 injuries and 30 deaths from electrocution in the home, many of which are DIY and amateur repairs.

That’s why the Institution of Electrical Engineers recommends that home wiring installations are examined every ten years by a qualified electrician.

The message is simple… call SQS Electrical

Most electrical wiring is hidden, but here are a few things which may easily be able to check yourself:

• Is your wiring more than 15 years old?
• Has it been longer than ten years since the wiring was checked?
• Has electrical work been carried out by amateurs and never checked?
• Do your plugs or sockets get hot?
• Do your fuses blow regularly and for no obvious reason?
• Do you have to use adaptors routinely to run your appliances
• Do your lights use the old, twisted type flex?
• Do you often have to use extension cables?
• Do you have round pin plugs and sockets?
• Do you use electrical equipment outdoors?

Services available from our business include

• Wiring to house extensions, conservatories, etc.
• Outbuilding installations
• Electric heating
• Showers
• Security lighting
• Garden lighting
• Garden sockets
• 24 hour emergency call-out
• Full test and inspection reports

All these and many other services are available, so please get in touch!
To find out more contact us now . 

If you are planning to extend or alter the electrical installation in your home, such as providing extra sockets in the kitchen, or adding new ceilings lights, don't attempt the installation yourself. Ensure you employ a competent electrician. The Government introduced a new law in January 2005, which demands that most electrical work in UK households is only carried out by a 'competent' person.

Up to now, the electrical industry has maintained relatively high safety standards, aided by voluntary controls such as those practiced by NAPIT Contractors. But with an increasing use and variety of electrical equipment and appliances in our homes, it is not surprising that we are exposed to an increased risk of electric shock and fires caused by faulty electrical installations.

In fact according to Government statistics, every year 5 deaths and over 500 injuries are caused by faulty electrical installations in the home. Added to this, 12,500 fires caused by electrical faults, resulting in 25 deaths and 590 injuries every year, so it is not difficult to see why an electrical safety law needs to be enforced.

"The changes to the law are welcomed ", says Director General, Jim Speirs. "Safe electrics in the home can be the difference between life and death for you and your family, but they are often overlooked in the long to-do list when buying, renovating or converting a house."

NAPIT carries out regular assessments of its registered electrical contractors to ensure that they are and continue to be ‘competent' to carry out electrical installations. Only fully skilled electricians can join NAPIT, unlike other schemes that 'water down entry requirements'.

Electrician and DIY TV presenter, Gavin Lowe, is currently undergoing the assessment process with the NAPIT. He says: "It's hard for anyone to spot a cowboy from the good electrician, because most of the work is hidden away. So it's great news that householders will soon be able to sleep easy knowing for sure that they are dealing with a competent electrical contractor."

By looking at this website, you have already made a conscious effort to use a ‘competent' electrician. But what you now need to do is gain a better understanding of how the new law affects you, your friends and family.

What is the electrical safety law?

Electrical safety requirements will be listed as Part P of the Building Regulations. The Building Regulations deal with the health and safety of people in and around buildings by providing functional requirements for building design and construction.

The law will state that any persons carrying out fixed electrical installations in households in England and Wales must ensure that electrical installations are:

• Designed and installed to afford appropriate protection against mechanical and thermal damage, and so that they do not present electric shock and fire hazards to people
• Suitably inspected and tested to verify that they meet the relevant equipment and installation standards

What is a fixed electrical installation?

Many improvements carried out in the home include some form of fixed electrical installation. For example, a new kitchen may require your electrician to install additional sockets, extra lighting and appliances. A fixed installation is the wiring and appliances that are fixed to the building, such as sockets, switches, consumer units (fuse boxes) and ceiling fittings.

Who is responsible for ensuring that the electrical work carried out in my home meets safety requirements?

You are. It will be a legal requirement for homeowners and landlords to be able to prove that all fixed electrical installations and alteration work have been carried out and certified by a competent person. That is, by an electrician registered with a Government approved body such as NAPIT.

How will I benefit from the electrical safety law?

You can expect to have safer, better quality electrical installation work because all electrical contractors will be working to BS 7671, the national safety standard. You will also be further protected against unsafe work as all electrical contractors are now required to offer their customers the option of additional protection through an insurance-backed warranty. Furthermore, if you use a NAPIT electrical contractor, you will benefit from the Complaints Resolution scheme.