Recent news that may be of interestAugust 2010
Tenant electrocuted by dangerous installation
The husband of a young mother who died just days after moving
into their new home in Cornwall has called for a change in the law on
electrical installations in rented accommodation, a call that the
Electrical Safety Council fully supports.
In July, the deputy coroner for Cornwall recorded a verdict of
accidental death following the electrocution of the 33-yearold mother of
two in March last year.
The inquest heard that she was killed when an oil-filled electric
heater in the bathroom developed a fault, causing a lethal voltage to
appear on the metal pipework in the property.
The main protective device (an old voltage operated earth-leakage
circuit-breaker) that was intended to rapidly disconnect the electricity
supply in such circumstances failed to operate because the connection
with Earth that it needed for detecting dangerous voltages had corroded
away.
Recording a verdict of accidental death, the coroner concluded that
the house was electrically unsafe and openly criticised a legal loophole
that allows landlords to rent homes to families without electrical
safety checks being made.
The coroner concluded: “Anyone who has listened to the evidence today
cannot but have been starkly reminded of the potential perils of
electricity in our homes. But there is no requirement for periodic
inspections of electricity in homes, and that to me seems inexplicable.”
July 2010
CPJ Electrics demonstrates comittment to trading fairly with Buy With Confidence Trading Standards scheme
CPJ Eletrics, provider of electrical services to domestic
customers in Wokingham & the surrounding area, is pleased to announce that
it has successfully undergone assessment with Bracknell Trading Standards and
is now a Member of the Buy with Confidence Scheme.
Click
here for full press release
Downlighters can they be a fire hazard ?
- The Electrical Safety Council have
been working with the Surrey
Fire and Rescue Service to investigate
concerns that incorrectly selected,
installed and/or maintained
downlighters may have been the cause
of a significant number of fires in homes.
- Eight downlighters were selected to
include a broad range of lamp type, fitting
design and price, and assessed against the
requirements for safety and performance
specified in product standards applicable to
‘recessed luminaires’.
- For all but one of the downlighters,
covering the luminaire was considered to
be an ‘abnormal’ mode of operation which
contravened the installation instructions
- For full details click here
© Electrical Safety Council 2009
When installing new downlighters why should I install the more expensive fire rated ones ?
- The safety of ceilings will be compromised as soon as a hole is cut in
them, as this creates a weakness that can lead to ceiling collapse in
the event of a fire
- It is estimated that around 70% of UK build installations feature 30
minute fire rated ceiling types. However some lighting manufacturers are producing
and promoting downlights as fire rated for houses that have only been tested at 90 minutes making them ineffective in the event of a fire.
- Details of what are the safety regulations for downlighters here.
- Details of what a fire rated ceiling is, click here
© JCC Lighting Products Ltd. 2010
Linda Barker & NICEIC warns cash strapped consumers of DIY danger
© 2009 NICEIC GROUP Limited
• Each year, unsafe electrics cause 12,500 house fires, 750 serious injuries and 10 deaths
• Still, 63% of Brits are happy to have a go at DIY in the home
• 74% aren’t aware this work could be subject to law under Part P of the Building Regulations
"People are too casual about electrics in the home,what many fail to realise is that by attempting DIY electrics they could be putting their family's lives at risk" - Linda Barker
Click here for full details
Energy saving light bulbs take over - © Energy Saving Trust 2009
Inefficient light bulbs are being phased out over the next few years - helping everyone spend less on electricity