Posts tagged “Electrical safety”

Back to all posts

Building Safety Bill – disappointment about electrical safety checks for high-rise buildings

Posted on 29th July 2021 at 15:03

High-rise buildings should have electrical safety checks

Electrical Safety First and many other commentators have said they are disappointed that the recently published Building Safety Bill doesn’t propose mandatory electrical safety checks in high-rise buildings.

Earlier this year a tower block in East London was badly damaged and residents were evacuated after a fire caused by a faulty consumer unit.

In many high-rise blocks there will be a mix of privately rented, social and owner-occupied flats. Without mandatory electrical safety checks for all of them electrical safety and the associated fire risks can depend on the type of tenure for each flat and the awareness of occupants.

Home rewiring projects – what you should know

Posted on 25th June 2021 at 10:07

If you are working on a property renovation or refurbishment project then Building Regulations will probably apply to your wiring work and electrics.

If your electrics aren’t properly installed, they can be a fire hazard and could lead to injury or electrocution. That’s why they have been brought into the Building Regulations under Part P.

Cabling and fire safety

Posted on 26th May 2021 at 14:50

The fire resistance of insulated cables plays an important part in building safety.

It must be easy for building designers, specifiers, and contractors to identify and install suitable cables that can survive real-life fire conditions.

Fix it or ditch it?

Posted on 12th May 2021 at 14:42

Do you like to mend things when they are broken?

In Europe there’s now a ‘right to repair’ (R2R) movement. It argues that technical information and genuine parts should be widely available, allowing people to mend their appliances. However, manufacturers say that these should only be supplied to qualified professional repairers.

National Home Improvement Month

Posted on 24th September 2020 at 13:58

September is National Home Improvement Month (NHIM) which aims to encourage homeowners in the UK to start home improvement projects.

The NHIM challenge is for people to #makeonechange in their home.

Last year, over 17 million adults across the UK made changes to their homes. With many of us spending more time at home than expected this year, even more are expected to start some home improvement projects.

Guidance for contractors working safely in your home

Posted on 27th July 2020 at 16:13

A new guide will be helpful for businesses like MSE that are going into people’s homes to complete essential work.

‘Work Safe, Safe Work’ provides three-part guidance about what to do before, while and after contractors like us visit.

The Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) has worked with TrustMark and the Construction Leadership Council to create the guide. Here’s a summary:

Do you follow the Electricity at Work Regulations?

Posted on 13th July 2020 at 12:28

Business owners will know about their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HASAWA).

However, the Electricity at Work Regulations add additional requirements for electrical safety.

Employers must make sure activities at work that use or might be affected by electricity are done safely. Any foreseeable risks must also be assessed and minimised, as far as possible.

Thirteen tips to reduce electrical risks at home

Posted on 8th April 2020 at 12:27

We are all spending a lot more time in our homes. Here are some simple things you can do to minimise risks of electrical shocks, fires, and accidents.

Electrical risks at home

If you have unprotected contact with electricity it can cause a shock and burns, which could be fatal.

Household electrical accidents, including electrocutions and electrical fires, cause around 70 deaths and 350,000 injuries each year in the UK, according to the Electrical Safety Council (ESC). Almost half of accidental house fires in Britain are caused by electricity.

Mother and children with tablet computer

Electrical safety in schools

Posted on 28th February 2020 at 13:19

Leaders in testing, inspection and certification, Bureau Veritas, have highlighted safety risks in the UK’s schools.

All of the country’s education institutions are being urged to take a more rigorous approach to safety and compliance.

New standards for electrical installation and inspection

Posted on 20th February 2020 at 13:13

The new Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) was released last month. It’s intended to be used by bodies that certify and register anyone carrying out electrical installation and inspections. It is part of work to improve electrical safety and competence to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations. It will come into effect in September 2020, but it can be used voluntarily from now on.