Author Archives: admin

Electrical Installation Condition Reports

We have been keeping busy carrying out Electrical Installation Condition Reports, [E.I.C.R] for the private landlord sector. This has been in conjunction with Woking Borough Council as well as private landlords. The government has made it a statutory requirement that an E.I.C.R first inspection and testing is carried out— 

(i)                  before the tenancy commences in relation to a new specified tenancy; or

(ii)                by 1st April 2021 in relation to an existing specified tenancy.

Any properties with an existing consumer unit [fuse box] looking like this, will likely be in for an update to comply with current standards.

Give us a call and let the professionals give you the advice and guidance required.

Amendment 3 to the 17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations

The biggest thing in the news for electrical contractors and indeed anyone carrying out electrical work is the launch and implementation of The Third amendment to BS 7671:2008, The IET Wiring Regulations.

From the 1st of July 2015 it is a requirement that ‘all electrical installations designed and periodically inspected comply with the updated regulations’

Now this may not be an earth moving moment for a lot of people however if you are undertaking any works yourself or having electrical works carried out by ANYBODY, make sure it complies with the latest rulings.

The most noticeable part of the new regulations to householders is to be the implementation on January 1st 2016 of Regulation 421.1.201 (PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT)

In domestic installations the consumer unit [Fuse Box] is to be manufactured from or enclosed within a cabinet constructed of non-combustible material. In most cases this means your fuse box, if replaced, will be made from metal.

Say goodbye to cheap plastic options from the DIY shops.

Product recall checker

We have added a product recall checker widget to the website (see bottom right) which will automatically update with the most recent recalls. When you click on the products listed you will then be directed to the appropriate records on the Electrical Safety Council’s website.

According to the Electrical Safety Council

“More than 4 million electrical appliances have been recalled by manufacturers in the past four years, for faults that include a risk of fire or electric shock , and yet the majority may still be in UK homes.

Since the start of 2011, there have been 228 recall notices for electrical products, including seven types of fridges, four washing machines and seven hairdryers. However, only 10-20% of recalled products are ever returned or repaired.

Around half of all accidental domestic fires in the UK are caused by electricity, with the vast majority of these attributed to electrical appliances. Electrical appliances are the third most frequently notified product group when it comes to recalls.

The need to improve consumer awareness of, and response to, recalls is something of which we are all very much aware. Research carried out by Electrical Safety First has indicated that two million adults have consciously ignored a recall notice for an electrical item. Many people associate recalls with ‘annoying faults’ rather than safety. They are not aware of the risks of continuing to use a recalled product. They think that responding to a notice and returning a product will be too much hassle. And if it’s a luxury item, like a television or beauty product, they are not prepared to do without it.“

Spring News

  • We have leapt forward into Spring with a busy time overseeing the transfer of Hoebridge school Pre-prep into the temporary village constructed for them whilst building works on the new extension is under way.
  • The easter accademic break also sees us carrying out part of the Electrical Installation Condition Report [EICR] at George Abbot School, Burpham. An essential part of on-going planned maintenance.
  • We are very happy to announce that we have received approval into the Constructionline and Acclaim Health & Safety scheme. The UK’s largest and only goverment owned pre-qulification scheme for the construction industry. For us this means that prospective buyers / clients can save time not having to sift through pre-qulification forms at each tender and we are not having to fill out the same forms each time we apply to tender. In essence it brings us a status of conformity.Details of the Constructionline Scheme can be found at www.constructionline.co.uk Our registration number is 144078
  • With the fine weather finally arriving many of you will be heading out into the garden and with that in mind, please make sure that any electrical items are connected via an RCD protective device that is rated at no more than 30 mA.
    A Residual Current Device [RCD] is a life saving device which prevents you from getting a fatal electric shock if you touch something live, such as a bare wire. Modern consumer units, or fuseboards in old money, have built in RCD devices and so protect the whole installation, a real piece of mind if you have children.

If you are not sure about the safety of the electrics in your home then please contact a registered electrician.

Water damage to electrics in Surrey

What a hectic start to the 2014. Floods and high winds have been causing mayhem with electrical installations in the Surrey and Berkshire region and we have been busy checking out the damage and making sure all is safe before re-energising some properties.

 

It is worth noting that once the water finally recedes, it’s what is behind sockets and under floors that you have to bear in mind – unseen damage.

 

Always get your electrical installation checked out before turning the supply back on.

This photo is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
bayerberg [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Guildford College Project

We have just completed the electrical installation condition report for the heart of Guildford colleges, Stoke Park Campus. Quite a challenge in a building whose installation dates back to the sixties with additions and alterations being carried out almost every year since. Dedication and an eye for detail have allowed us to furnish the college with a comprehensive report that actually makes sense to the site staff.
Well done to all the team team involved.

 

guildford-college-img1 guildford-college-img2

guildford-college-img3

Examples of electrical hazards found on site

Christmas Lighting Advice

Keeping busy at the moment lighting up the dark evenings.

 

With Christmas on its way we would like to remind everyone to check their decorative lights for loose wires and breakages before putting them up AND ALWAYS CONNECT VIA AN RCD DEVICE WHEN OUTDOORS. Switch them off and unplug before going to bed.