Electrical Safety In and around the home

Electrical safety at home - is of primary importance, but it's probably something that we give little thought to.

If you consider that every year about 6700 fires are reported as having an electrical source, you can see how important electrical safety really is. This statistic includes fires started by faulty wiring or inadequate. Accidents involving electric shock are also due to mortality and serious injury. Approximately 43 deaths and 2900 serious injuries occur every year from electrical malfunctions.

We tend to forget that the cables, switches, sockets and other equipment will wear out over time and that is important to have them regularly checked and, if necessary, replaced by a qualified electrician.

Many people are unaware of the fact that the new building regulations came into force on January 1, 2005, that if you perform electrical work in your home or garden in England and Wales, you now have to follow. This is a new area for building codes and is called Part P (electrical safety). This is to give clear guidance as to the type of work you can do for you and those that must be performed by a competent, qualified electrician. Be aware that you may need to use a competent person to comply with building regulations.

The main things you must consider are:

It 'important that any electrical work is carried out only by those with the necessary knowledge, skills and experience of the type of electrical work to be undertaken.

You should also groped the simplest of electrical work if you have any doubts whatsoever about the activity. You may have noticed that these days most devices have molded plugs already connected with the fuse properly evaluated. This is to stop the novice fan wiring or mistakenly voting the 'equipment and to help prevent cowboy installations. You would be amazed the number of people who do not know how to wire a plug correctly!

For the average DIYer things become even more confusing since 2006, a new color scheme was introduced for the wiring.

The colors of the wires and neutral wires are changing from red to brown and black to blue. This is now the same wires in flexible cables for portable devices.

As of March 31, 2006, all new wiring must be the new colors.

Because the rules introduced? The main purpose of the rules is to reduce the number of deaths, injuries and fires caused by faulty electrical installations. It is also intended to make it more difficult for manufacturers of Cowboy 'to leave electrical installations in an unsafe condition.

If you do not follow the rules, you run the risk that:

The electrical system may not be safe.

You will have no record of work done.

You may have difficulty selling your home if you do not have the right electrical safety certificates.

There is the added risk that your local Council Building Control Department may insist that you put the work right defective. Involve your cost even more.

It 's important to know when to notify the local council of any work planned electricity.

You will not need to tell your local council Building Control Department of any repairs, replacements and maintenance work. Any additional sockets, lighting points or other alterations to existing circuits (except in a kitchen or bathroom, or outdoors).

You will, however, need to tell them of almost all other jobs!
If you are not sure about this, ask your local contractor or Local Council Building Control Officer.

Remember - do not try to save money by skimping on electrical installation work. You could end up costing more money in the long run - or even your life! Use an installer registered.

The advantages of using an installer that are registered members of schemes that can handle all the new rules for you. They will be able to perform any electrical work. They will give you a certificate to confirm their work follows the new rules.

Not have to pay the costs of building control.

In most cases, it will be possible to arrange insurance-backed warranty for the work.

In the unlikely event of problems, you will have access to a formal complaint if you are not satisfied with the work.

If you need to find a person competent to undertake electrical work, the following organizations run registration systems, or 'competent person':

BRE Certification

British Standards Institution (BSI)

ELECSA

The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT)

NICEIC Certification Services

These schemes are designed to ensure that traders who sign up are fully qualified to do electrical work and provide a proper complaints procedure.

Remember - always use an installer who is registered with a competent person referred to above.

Article by Philip Ray


Whilst this article endeavors to contain up to date and accurate information, the article may be considered only as a guide. The author would always recommend that you take local independent professional advice .......