Issue10 | Autumn 2008
Electrical safety poster design competition 2008
WELCOME recognise the needs of people with disabilities. We have recently updated our website so that it is ‘W3c compliant’, which ensures people with visual impairments can use the site. You may have noticed that we have also catered for people whose first language may not be English, and we know from feedback that this has been received very positively by some of those who have visited our web pages. elcome to the tenth edition of Switched On.
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As a national charity, we’ve been working hard to make sure we aren’t perceived as being ‘London-centric’ and, to this end, we’ve undertaken activities across the UK to ensure that we raise awareness of electrical safety as widely as possible. To further support our efforts to raise awareness of electrical safety, I would like to welcome Tony Maskens who we recently recruited as the Campaign Manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Tony is based at the Walled Garden, the headquarters for Select, the Scottish electrical trade association. He will be working hard to develop our initiatives for Scotland and Northern Ireland over the coming months. As a charity it is also important that information we provide is accessible to all sections of the community and that we
Our efforts to make our information accessible continue, and our recentlyreleased DVD which focuses on electrical hazards around the home includes sub-titles and sign language. If you feel that there is more that we could do, please let me know and we will look to implement the changes suggested.
particularly the elderly and low paid, will be facing fuel poverty. There will therefore be a greater reliance on low cost sources of heating such as electric blankets, and there is a risk that very ancient ones will be dug out of attics which may present shock and fire hazards to the users. This is something we are anxious to avoid, so we will be covering the whole of the UK to try to reduce any risks. By the time you read this issue, we will have held our first international product safety conference in London. Attracting delegates from across the world, over 150 people are expected to have been in attendance over the two days.
We continue to seek to influence politicians and, as an apolitical organisation, we will be attending all three main party conferences this autumn. By attending, it gives us the opportunity to influence senior party members thus ensuring that important messages relating to electrical safety are delivered to those that can help to effect real change.
The conference covered a range of important topics relating to product safety including the importance of market surveillance, regulation, anti-counterfeiting measures, and protecting vulnerable consumers. Delegates included representatives from government, trading standards and trade organisations, and the key objective of informing our agenda for future campaigns was successfully achieved. Due to the success of the conference it is anticipated that this will become an annual event in our calendar.
We have developed plans to offer testing of electric blankets this autumn. This initiative has become all the more important as, with the ever rising cost of energy, more people,
On a final note, please enjoy reading the magazine. As always, we would welcome your feedback on its content – email switchedon@esc.org.uk
TRADING STANDARDS CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION e are pleased to report that our stand at the Trading Standards Conference & Exhibition held in Bournemouth in June was very well received by Trading Standards professionals.
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We had a large number of visitors to the stand who were interested in many aspects of our work including product safety initiatives, our product safety conference in September, the ‘How to Find an Electrician’ function on our website, our range of consumer leaflets, the 2 SwitchedOn
home safety DVD, and the interactive game. We were also delighted to be awarded the prize for ‘Best nonlocal Government Exhibitor’ for our eye-catching stand design.
Photos: © Rowan White Photographic
Electrical Safety Council television adverts see page 5
issue 10 Autumn ‘08
switchedon industry news your insight into the electrical safety industry
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Trading Standards Conference & Exhibition Also, Welcome
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News in brief Also, Anglesey landlords’ forum, Events
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TV advertising Also, Website update
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Which training course should I attend (Part 2)?
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Why do earthing and bonding need to be checked?
10 Feasibility of establishing a UK-wide injury database
Government consults on 13 Scottish ‘Trusted Trader’ scheme Also, TrustMark to launch into Scotland
14 Family saved by fire alarm
Electrical safety poster design competition
dangerous electrical goods Also, The dangers of domestic appliances
16 Concerns raised over the safety of
extension leads in Europe Also, New electrical installation skills competition launched
17 Electric shock – what should I do? 18 Electric blanket safety campaign Also, Roll of Approved Contractors rises to 15,000
19 Best Practice Guides
12 Guidance for consumers when
20 Electrical quiz – what’s your
ordering electrical work Also, You are more at risk than you think: Asbestos - the hidden killer
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15 Trading Standards survey finds
11 Council’s Technical Manual updated to 17th Edition
features
Also, Energy Performance Certificates
current level of knowledge? Also, Electrical Safety Council Roadshow
Published by: The Electrical Safety Council 18 Buckingham Gate London, SW1E 6LB www.esc.org.uk www.switchedonkids.org.uk Tel: 0870 040 0561 Fax: 0870 040 0560 email: enquiries@esc.org.uk SwitchedOn 3
NEWS IN BRIEF Woman electrocuted after room had been redecorated In June, an inquest in Buckinghamshire heard how a woman was alleged to have been electrocuted in her home as a result of electrical work carried out by a decorator.
Corrigendum to BS 7671: 2008 At the end of June, just before BS 7671: 2008 came into full effect, the Joint IET/BSI Committee JPEL64, which is responsible for the technical content of BS 7671, issued a four page corrigendum containing a number of corrections to the published version of the revised, ‘17th Edition’, standard.
As part of the decorating work, a number of socket-outlets in the lounge had been replaced with a type having a different style, but they had not been connected correctly. As a result, the woman was electrocuted when she picked up a metallic table lamp that had become live, whilst touching another lamp that was earthed. The Crown Prosecution Service had decided that there were no grounds for prosecution.
Amongst other things, including the deletion of both references to 2I∆n (which had been causing confusion in respect of testing requirements in some quarters) and the correction of a number of references, the corrigendum contains two pages which replace those in Appendix 15. This is the appendix that gives guidance on the standard arrangements for ring and radial final circuits. Users of BS 7671: 2008 are advised to acquaint themselves with the content of the corrigendum as soon as possible if they have not already done so. The corrigendum can be downloaded as a PDF document free of charge from the IET website by visiting www.theiet.org/publishing/wiringregulations/updates/
A new regime for domestic gas safety In June, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced that it had selected Capita as its preferred bidder to run the new registration scheme for gas installers from 1 April next year. According to the HSE, the main differences between the bid from Capita and CORGI, the other bidder, lay in their approaches to introducing innovation to the scheme, promoting gas safety and a new brand, delivering efficiencies and the continuous improvement required. 4 SwitchedOn
ANGLESEY LANDLORDS’ FORUM t the request of the environmental health department of Isle of Anglesey County Council, the Electrical Safety Council gave a presentation about electrical safety issues in rented property at a forum attended by about 35 private landlords.
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The presentation covered the regulations and standards affecting landlords, typical electrical hazards in rented domestic properties, and the inspection, testing and maintenance of domestic electrical installations. The presentation was well received by those attending, and finished with a lively question and answer session. Electrical safety information for landlords can be found on our website at www.esc.org.uk/business-andcommunity/guidance-for/landlords.html
EVENTS IN 2008 e are pleased to have added a new element to our event activities this year. We attended the Elex 2008 show in Coventry on 18-19 September and will also be attending the show at Sandown Park, Surrey, on 2-3 December.
W Electrical installer fined for dangerous work An electrical installer in Warwickshire has been fined for carrying out ‘very dangerous’ electrical work in a kitchen during August last year. According to Warwick District Council building inspectors, the installer was responsible for 18 electrical faults, of which eight were described as ‘very dangerous’. Having found that the work had not been carried out by a competent person in accordance with the Building Regulations, the District Council took enforcement action. This resulted in the installer being brought before Stratford Magistrates Court, where he was fined £700 and ordered to pay £600 costs for a breach of Part P of the Building Regulations.
This gives us a new opportunity to meet those working in the electrical installation industry and to discuss current issues. We are running seminars at each event about the latest Best Practice Guide concerning the impact that electrical installations can have on the fire performance of domestic premises. We will report on our attendance at the three Party Conferences in the next issue of Switched On. We’ve had really positive experiences at all of the shows we’ve attended this year and are looking forward to exhibiting at them again in 2009.
TV ADVERTISING n order to further increase consumer awareness of our electrical safety role, we sponsored the pollen count on ITV1, and have also produced a 30 second television advert.
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The 30 second advert was aired on ITV1, ITV2, ITV3, C4, Five, Five US, Living, DAVE, UKTV Gold and UKTV Style (both daytime and peak). For those who have missed them on the television, both can be viewed on our website (www.esc.org.uk). We are pleased to report a marked increase in consumer enquiries since this advertising activity began.
WEBSITE UPDATE ur main website (www.esc.org.uk) has continued to grow in popularity and is now receiving over 15,000 visitors a month, who view around 60,000 pages.
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Currently, our most popular consumer information is the ‘Consumer Guide for ordering Domestic Electrical Installation Work’, our home electrical safety video, and the ‘Your fusebox’ page. And for Business & Community visitors, it’s the 17th Edition Guidance, Best Practice Guides and the ‘Electrical Safety in Construction’ leaflet. During the summer, work on making the website more widely accessible and interactive for visitors was completed, and a new version of the site was launched. Though the look of the site remains the same, the new version has achieved ‘W3c compliance’. This means that it conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0, which explain how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. Also new to the site is an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed facility, which allow visitors
to click to receive regular updates on areas such as ‘Latest News’, ‘Product Recalls’ and ‘Press Releases’.
Feedback on the website is always welcome, so should you have any ideas or comments, we would like to hear from you via the ‘Talk to us’ facility.
Within the new version of the website is a ‘Talk to us’ section which enables visitors to let us know what they think about the site, send in their electrical stories and images, and to make general enquiries. This section is already being put to good use by visitors to the website, and a regular stream of feedback, enquiries and helpful information is being received. Shortly, we plan to release a new look ‘Business and Community’ section which we hope will make it easier for visitors to find the information contained in that section, as well as making room for more content. SwitchedOn 5
WHICH INSPECTION AND TESTING COURSE SHOULD I ATTEND? qualification is also suitable for those with limited experience of inspection and testing of electrical installations, such as those entering the industry from other engineering disciplines or working in allied trades. Students attending this course will be required to have prior knowledge of basic electrical principles and science, as well as some knowledge of electrical systems. Students will also be expected to have experience of electrical installation work either within the electrical contracting industry or an allied trade. Although not a requirement, it is recommended that students have previously completed an electrical installation regulations course.
City & Guilds electrical installation inspection and testing courses explained... Following on from the article in the previous issue of Switched On explaining the City & Guilds electrical installation regulations courses, this article outlines City & Guilds qualifications that are appropriate for electricians, inspectors and others persons requiring training specifically in the requirements for inspection, testing and certification. Care should be taken when selecting a course to ensure that the candidate’s knowledge and experience are sufficient for that particular course. The two City & Guilds inspection and testing courses relating to electrical installations are: •
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2392-10 City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Fundamental Inspection, Testing and Initial Verification 2391-10 City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations
In addition to these two qualifications, there are two City & Guilds certificates that cover the requirements for the management of electrical equipment maintenance and the 6 SwitchedOn
inspection and testing of electrical equipment: • 2377-11 City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Management of Electrical Equipment Maintenance • 2377-12 City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate for the Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment
Details of electrical installation inspection, testing and certification courses 2392-10 City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Fundamental Inspection, Testing and Initial Verification This qualification was recently developed with the electrical industry to meet the needs of industry and training centres, and to provide candidates with an introduction to how to inspect and test (conduct the initial verification) of electrical installations. It is aimed at practising electricians who have not carried out inspection and testing since qualifying, or who require some update training before going on to achieve the City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in inspection, testing and certification of electrical installations (2391-10). The 2392-10
To obtain the 2392-10 City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Fundamental Inspection, Testing and Initial Verification Certificate, candidates must successfully complete one closed-book multiple-choice examination (maximum duration 100 minutes) consisting of 50 questions and one practical assessment. The multiple-choice test and practical assessment are considered to be separate units. However, to receive a 2392-10 certificate, candidates must be successful in both units. The Guided Learning Hours for this course are 30-35 hours, which may be on a full-time or part-time basis. 2391-10 City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Inspection, Testing and Certification of electrical installations This qualification is intended for experienced personnel working in the electrical industry. Although City & Guilds do not state formal candidate entry requirements, the qualification is not intended for non-qualified electricians and/or those who do not have experience in inspecting, testing and certifying electrical installations. Candidates without this experience should seriously consider undertaking the City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in fundamental inspection, testing and initial verification (2392-10) as well as obtaining industry experience. It is also strongly recommended that candidates have previously achieved either the City & Guilds Certificate in the requirements for electrical installations (BS 7671 January 2008) (2382), or a similar
qualification where candidates have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the 17th Edition. This qualification is not approved for use by candidates under the age of 18, and City & Guilds cannot accept any registrations for candidates in this age group. To obtain the 2391-10 City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Inspection, Testing and Certification of electrical installations, candidates must successfully complete one 21/2 hour closed-book examination consisting of 20 short answer questions and six structured questions in addition to a practical assessment. The written examination and practical assessment are considered to be separate units. However, to receive a 2391-10 certificate, candidates must be successful in both units.
It is expected that candidates attempting either qualification should be familiar with electrical systems and the hazards of electricity in order to satisfactorily complete this qualification. Without evidence of formal qualifications, candidates must be able to demonstrate adequate prior knowledge and experience to ensure they have potential to successfully gain the qualifications. Centres are required to conduct a practical test to evaluate the candidate’s ability to undertake electrical inspection and testing in a competent manner for the inspection and testing unit/qualification (Unit 200) These qualifications are not approved for use by candidates under the age of 18, and City & Guilds cannot accept any registrations for candidates in this age group.
The Guided Learning Hours for this course are 30 hours, which may be on a full-time or part-time basis.
2377-11 City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Management of Electrical Equipment Maintenance (Unit 100)
Details of electrical equipment courses
To obtain the 2377-11 City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Management of Electrical Equipment Maintenance (Unit 100), candidates must successfully complete one 11/2 hour examination consisting of 45 multiple choice questions. The assessment is based on the IEE Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment 3rd Edition, and candidates will need a copy for the examination.
The two qualifications (2377-11 and 2377-12) relate to the IEE Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment 3rd Edition published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). The qualifications are aimed at those with administrative responsibilities for the maintenance of electrical equipment and for those undertaking practical inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
The Guided Learning Hours for this course are 30-35 hours, which may be on a full-time or part-time basis. 2377-12 City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate for the Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (Unit 200) To obtain the 2377-12 City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate for the Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment Maintenance (Unit 200), candidates must successfully complete a one hour examination consisting of 30 multiple choice questions. The assessment is based on the IEE Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment 3rd Edition, and candidates will need a copy for the examination. Note: before undertaking the multiple-choice test, candidates are required to demonstrate an ability to undertake the practical skills test to inspect and test an item of Class I equipment and correctly complete the following model forms from the Code of Practice: •
V1.1 Equipment register; and
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V1.2 Equipment formal visual and combined inspection and test record.
The Guided Learning Hours for this course are 35 hours, which may be on a full-time or part-time basis.
WHY DO EARTHING AND BONDING NEED TO BE CHECKED? o help improve public awareness about the importance of earthing and bonding, we have produced a new safety leaflet for consumers called ‘Why do earthing and bonding need to be checked?’
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In plain English, the guide explains to consumers why, if they are having an alteration or addition made to their electrical installation, their electrician must check the earthing and bonding arrangements and, if necessary, bring them up to standard as an essential part of the work. The leaflet has achieved the Plain English Campaign Crystal Mark, indicating that it has been written and designed as clearly as possible. We will be distributing the leaflet
directly to consumers at events and through the website. Having been produced by an independent and impartial body, however, the leaflet is also likely to be of considerable benefit to electrical contractors and installers when they need to explain to customers why additional and, to them, seemingly unrelated work may need to be carried out for reasons of safety when all they want, for example, is an additional socket-outlet. Copies of the new leaflet can be downloaded from www.esc.org.uk. Alternatively, up to 500 printed copies are available free of charge on request, by emailing leaflets@esc.org.uk. SwitchedOn 7
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The standard of the entries was quite brilliant, but the winner had all the ingredients to get the message across.
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Baroness Jenny Tonge
Electrical safety p Runner Up & Regional Winner Scotland William Rowse
ur electrical safety poster design competition, themed around ‘electrical safety in your home’, was part of our campaign to educate children about using electricity safely. It was very well received in schools and, as a result, attracted over 8,000 entries from primary school children of all ages around the UK.
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Regional Winner England Lacey Brooker
Regional Winner Northern Ireland Anna Humphreys 8 SwitchedOn
One of the judges, Baroness Jenny Tonge, whose own daughter was killed in an electrical accident at home, said “The standard of the entries was quite brilliant, but the winner had all the ingredients to get the message across.” She added, “It is so important that people understand the dangers of electricity and
I am thrilled that primary school children are taking this work so seriously.” The Grand Final Winner and Regional Winner for Wales was an 11 year old girl, Beth Eales. Beth scooped first prize, earning her school £500, and a prize for herself. The judges chose Beth’s poster as the regional winner for Wales and overall UK winner, beating the other regional winners from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, because they thought the poster was very effective at getting the safety messages across through the use of the standard ‘prohibited’ sign. These red circles make the images bold, powerful and eye catching.
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These pictures are wonderful, and the level of entries is really impressive.
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Kirsten O’Brien SMart Art Show
poster design competition 2008 7 & Under Award Winner Isabel Feather
The winning children, together with their families and school representatives, attended a prize-giving ceremony held at the Gardeners’ World Show at the NEC Birmingham in June, where their posters were on display for the thousands of visitors attending the show. The prizes were presented by Kirsten O’Brien, who is a presenter from the children’s TV art show, SMart. Kirsten said “These pictures are wonderful, and the level of entries is really impressive. I’m encouraged when I look at the way in which the children have demonstrated their understanding of the electrical dangers around the home and incorporated them in their designs so creatively.”
Special Achievement Award Francesca Petrucciano
Grand Final Winner & Regional Winner Wales Beth Eales
All of the winners and their posters are on display on our children’s educational website, www.switchedonkids.org.uk. Please do go and have a look at them!
Innovative Design Award Becky Page SwitchedOn 9
UPDATE ON THE FEASIBILITY OF RE-ESTABLISHING A UK-WIDE INJURY DATABASE RoSPA, in partnership with Electrical Safety Council and Intertek, are researching the feasibility of setting up a new, UK-wide injury surveillance system in the UK. The objective of the database is to facilitate the prevention of accidental injury by providing data for research, policy development, injury prevention programmes, risk assessment, and product development. Background In 2002, the former Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) ceased to collect injury data for its Home Accident Surveillance System (HASS) and Leisure Accident Surveillance System (LASS). Since that time, the database has been accessible through RoSPA’s website and is used by 70,000 visitors per year. The number of website visits is growing by 40% per year. Users range from health care professionals and lawyers, to risk managers and product designers. Unfortunately, the HASS/LASS database is now out of date and can no longer be used to identify emerging injury trends. Current surveillance systems A number of injury databases have been identified in the UK and internationally. All of these databases include unintentional injuries in all settings and some include intentional injuries. In addition, there are many specialist databases at international, national and local level. The most frequent source of data is from hospital Emergency Departments (also known as A&E), although some databases are supplemented by hospital discharge data. Most databases use a sample of hospitals and there are two main methods for collecting this data either by a specialist interviewer (like the old HASS and LASS system) or by the Emergency Department’s staff. Another method is to use a combination of patient self-reporting supplemented by medical details from the Emergency Department’s staff. ‘All-Injury’ databases are usually funded through the Public Health budget whilst those databases covering specialist areas are 10 SwitchedOn
often funded locally by the public and, occasionally, the private sector. Potential data users and their needs The project team has identified potential users and their data needs through a series of meetings and questionnaires. Existing users of the HASS/LASS database, managed by RoSPA, and potential new data users come from the public, private and third sectors and include professionals such as: •
Injury prevention programme managers
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Product designers and risk managers from manufacturing, service & retail
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Teachers, academics and researchers
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Trading Standards officers
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Politicians and civil servants
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Journalists.
From Figure 1, it is evident that existing injury data available through the HASS and LASS database has provided users with the ability to influence policy and practice at various levels, evaluate the effectiveness of existing programmes, and focus on priority areas for injury prevention. It has provided a foundation for evidence-based practice and product design.
Figure 1: Potential use for the Injury data.
It is clear from the joint research that there is wide support for access to an up to date
UK-wide searchable injury database. It should have as much information as possible about the victim, the circumstances leading to the injury, and the injury itself. Case studies or free text about the incident, provided by the victim or health professional would give information felt to be essential for the prevention of injury. Producing reports (annually or monthly) was thought to be very useful. Users would like the data to be as representative as possible at both a regional and national level with a maximum lapse of two years for data availability. It should also be linked in with the work that is being completed at a European level. There has been indication that when this data is made available, access should be free, as currently applied to the HASS and LASS data. However, it is common practice for charges to be made for more complex, time-consuming and highly specialised searches especially those through free text fields. Data providers Discussions have taken place with various groups within the National Health Service to assess the feasbility of collecting data through A&E departments in England. Parallel discussions have also taken place in Scotland. Whilst there is widespread support for a UK injury database, there are many more details that need to be discussed. Below is a possible model of how this could be processed. A sample of Hospital Emergency Departments from each country in the British Isles would supply data to a local “data warehouse” where the data would be anonomysed. Data is anonymised using various methods; therefore in this instance we are referring to this as “data warehouse”. The data would then be sent to a central data processing centre for consolidation and analysis. Depending on funding arrangements, this centre could provide regular trend reports and free access for users to carry out their own searches of the
database. In addition, the centre would potentially be able to supply comprehensive data from the UK to the EU Injury Database in order to allow EU-wide comparison. Design and funding Once the preceding tasks have been completed the project team will develop and consult on a range of design proposals for a new system. At this stage it is thought that there are likely to be a range of options and associated costs. Stakeholders and users will be consulted to identify the most sustainable and cost-effective solution. The research project is due to report its findings shortly.
COUNCIL’S TECHNICAL MANUAL UPDATED TO THE 17th EDITION he Council’s authoritative Technical Manual, first introduced in 2002, has now been updated to take account of the publication of BS 7671: 2008 (IEE Wiring Regulations, 17th Edition).
The CD version is available to everyone on subscription. New subscriptions can be arranged via our subsidiary, NICEIC Group Ltd, through their ‘NICEIC Direct’ service (www.niceicdirect.com).
The Manual brings together the requirements of all associated standards, regulations and Codes of Practice into a single, easy-to-use reference source. It is illustrated in full colour and is updated regularly to incorporate the latest developments.
The current annual subscription rate is excellent value at only £50.00 including VAT. This gives you two issues of the CD, together with four issues of the NICEIC magazine, ‘Connections’. The subscription
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rate is currently under review, so if you’re interested, don’t delay! Currently, the online version is available only to contractors registered with NICEIC. It can be accessed via the secure area of the NICEIC website (www.niceic.com). NonNICEIC registered subscribers to the Manual will be advised as soon as facilities become available for them to access the online version.
The Manual currently comprises over 300 topics, each dealing with a particular requirement of BS 7671 in considerable detail. It continues to grow at the rate of about 40 new or updated topics each year. Sample topics can be viewed on the ‘Business and Communities’ section of our website (www.esc.org.uk). The Manual is available in both CD and online formats, each providing exactly the same content, search facilities and printing capability.
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GUIDANCE FOR CONSUMERS WHEN ORDERING DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL WORK ast spring, we launched to consumers the ‘Guide for consumers when ordering domestic electrical installation work’, produced in collaboration with the Institution of Engineering and Technology. (The guide had been launched to the trade in advance).
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The media campaign included radio messaging and a UK-wide press release. This resulted in 74 radio stations broadcasting the messaging and over 30 newspapers carrying the story. In total, the media campaign is estimated to have reached over 13 million people. Following the success of the launch, Yell Group Ltd* offered to distribute the guide to consumers via their directories, free of charge. This enabled us to distribute over 1.2 million printed copies of the guide with three Yellow Pages directories over the past three months.
The areas covered were Newcastle upon Tyne (July, circulation 500,000), Manchester South (August, circulation 400,000) and the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley (September, circulation 300,000). We supported this with local press coverage to alert consumers living in those areas to the benefits of using the guide.
Copies of the guide can be downloaded free of charge from our website at www.esc.org.uk. A printer-friendly version of the quotation request form is also available from the website for electrical contractors wishing to print copies onto their own letterheaded paper.
We hope that, together with the press coverage, distributing the guide with Yellow Pages directories will encourage consumers to keep it for use when they need to get quotations for electrical work. We will be monitoring the effectiveness of this initiative over the coming months and, if it proves to be successful, we will be considering further distribution by such means.
* We would like to thank the Consumer Development Team at Yell Group Ltd for their continuing support to our work.
YOU ARE MORE AT RISK THAN YOU THINK: ASBESTOS - THE HIDDEN KILLER sbestos-related disease is the biggest single cause of workrelated deaths, accounting for around 4000 deaths each year. Asbestos can cause three main diseases: mesothelioma (which is always fatal), lung cancer (almost always fatal) and asbestosis (not always fatal, but it can be very debilitating). The rate of deaths continues to rise, and is not likely to peak until 2011-2015.
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More people die from asbestos-related disease each year than are killed on the roads
Every week 20 tradesmen die from asbestos-related disease
Of these, six are electricians
Asbestos can be present in any building built or refurbished before the year 2000
Don’t work if:
You’re unsure whether asbestos is present – your employer or the customer should tell you
Asbestos is present but you have not been trained to work safely with it
The asbestos materials present are sprayed coatings, board or lagging on pipes and boilers – only a contractor with a licence should work on these.
Only work with asbestos if:
You have had asbestos training, the work is properly planned and the right controls are in place (for example, you have the right equipment)
The issue of asbestos has not gone with our forefathers - risks with asbestos still exist
The materials are asbestos cement, textured coatings containing asbestos or others which do not need a licence.
You may not realise it, but you may be disturbing asbestos when you work.
HSE campaign
Generally, asbestos is only a risk if it is disturbed or damaged so that fibres are released into the air. If asbestos containing materials are in good condition and in a position where they are not going to be disturbed or damaged, then it is safer to leave them where they are and ensure that the risks are managed.
The Asbestos Regulations (2006) require mandatory information, instruction and training for anyone liable to be exposed to asbestos fibres at work
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The HSE is launching a national campaign on 13 October to further raise awareness among electricians that the risk of asbestos is relevant to them and can damage their health
Adverts will feature in newspapers and trade magazines, and also on the radio
New awareness packs with additional information and advice on training will be included in the next issue of Switched
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT CONSULTS ON ‘TRUSTED TRADER’ SCHEME. arlier this year, the Scottish Government put out for consultation draft guidance and regulations relating to the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. The guidance is intended as a practical tool to help Local Authorities work effectively within their new powers and duties. Because of the complexity, the guidance has been split into six volumes, Volume 6 being ‘Proposals for a National Trusted Trader Framework’.
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The proposals for such a framework build on the Construction Licensing Executive (CLE) scheme, although they acknowledge that coverage of some trade sectors is patchy, as is geographical coverage. They also acknowledge that the CLE scheme has a high accreditation level which, whilst being positive, may discourage some traders in some industries from joining such a scheme. A two tier structure is therefore proposed. The proposals acknowledge other existing schemes in Scotland, with a view to joining them up rather than reinventing what is already in place.
Joining the framework would be voluntary for traders. It is envisaged that a trusted trader framework in Scotland would need to offer a credible level of choice to help homeowners to confidently select a trader to carry out work on their home. Initially at least, evaluation and monitoring of traders is seen as being by web-based customer feedback. In the longer term, traders would be audited or inspected by their construction body. Mechanisms to audit those outside a construction body would however need to be put in place. Intended as a national framework, Scottish Government believes that the Trusted Trader scheme will bring significant benefits for homeowners and the Scottish housing stock. The scheme is expected to have the following broad features:•
Remove the various barriers homeowners face when trying to access reliable tradesmen
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Be accessible to anyone in Scotland
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Have national level branding and standards to ensure traders and end users
know what to expect wherever they are, but operate at a local level with central administrative support •
Have a minimum level of accreditation no matter the delivery vehicle
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Have the buy-in of the construction industry as well as trading standards in local authorities
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Take account of the needs of the owner and the construction industry equally to help towards the sustainability of the framework
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Promote healthy competition and enterprise in the economy such as by building in open and comparative pricing between traders.
The consultation finished on 1 July, but the full consultation paper can still be found at www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/ 04/07144231/0. A report on the consultation process is due to be issued in autumn, and final guidance for Local Authorities is expected to be published by the end of the year.
TrustMark TO LAUNCH INTO SCOTLAND rustMark is planning to launch itself into Scotland in partnership with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the Scottish Government and other stakeholders.
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TrustMark has made a positive response to the Scottish Government’s consultation document on ‘Proposals for a National Trusted Trader Framework for Scotland.’ (See preceding article.)
This was done with a view to TrustMark participating more comprehensively in Scotland in support of homeowners and TrustMark members already operating in Scotland. In support of this launch, the first piece of promotional activity will be distribution of a new TrustMark leaflet which will be going into people’s homes across Scotland through the distribution of Yellow Pages.
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FAMILY SAVED BY FIRE ALARM family of five survived when fire ripped through their three storey home in Headington, Oxfordshire in the early hours of a May Sunday morning. The mother of the family was woken by their smoke alarms, providing vital time for the fire and rescue service to be called. The prompt attendance by firefighters resulted in the family being rescued and their lives being saved.
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Fire alarm systems The Oxford Mail article highlights the importance of having a functional fire detection and alarm system. Smoke alarms detect smoke at the earliest stages of a fire, giving the occupiers an early warning and vital extra time to take appropriate action. The main danger associated with fire in its early stages is not flame, but the smoke and noxious gases which not only cause the majority of casualties by inhalation, but may also obscure the way to escape routes and exits. The statistics show that in 2006, of the 491 fire related fatalities in the UK, 196 (40%) were as a result of being overcome by smoke. Being able to hear a smoke alarm is vital, which is why two documents relating to fire safety in dwellings, BS 5839-6 Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings and The Building Regulations 2000 Approved Document B recommend at least one smoke alarm on each floor level.
However, where a floor level contains bedrooms, to provide sufficient sound levels to rouse person(s) from their sleep, it is recommended by BS 5839-6 that a smoke alarm should be located within 3 m of the bedroom door. This will not guarantee that every person will be awakened, particularly if the occupiers are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, have reduced ear sensitivity or the building has good sound proofing properties. Under such circumstances, due to the enhanced risk, a designer may decide to mount smoke alarms in the bedroom. The design for a fire detection and alarm system should take into account: the type of building, the use of the building, the potential sources of fire, the potential for fire to spread through a building, and the characteristics of person(s) using the building. For a dwelling, the design may result in either a system of smoke and heat alarms or a more complex system such as, a BS 5839-1 Grade A which may be found in a large dwelling or a house in multiple occupation. The design of the system can either meet the requirements of BS 5839-1, BS 5839-6 or, for a new or materially altered dwelling, Approved Document B. It is essential that an occupier of a dwelling or user of the system, who may be a layperson, understands the operation of the system, the action to take in the event of a fire alarm signal, the means for avoidance of false alarms, the procedures for testing the
system and the need for routine maintenance of the system. To ensure functionality, all types of fire alarm system need to be subject to periodic inspection and testing. In a dwelling where the type of system contains smoke and heat alarms, this may be carried out, quite easily, by the occupier, as generally it involves operation of a test button and cleaning the alarms in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. For a more complex system such as a BS5839-1 Grade A, a competent person with specialist knowledge will normally be required Fire statistics The saving of the Oxfordshire families lives by firefighters prevented them from being part of the statistics collated by Communities and Local Government. In 2006, 491 deaths (including 2 firefighters) and 13,800 non-fatal casualties were fire related, of which 363 deaths and 11,200 were in dwellings. The cause of deaths were 196 (40%) overcome by gas or smoke, 111 (23%) by burns alone, 104 (21%) burns and overcome by gas or smoke, 13% were unspecified and 3% were by other causes. In 2006, the fire and rescue service attended 426,200 fires, of which 55,800 (13%) were in dwellings. However, a ‘Survey of English Housing’ suggested that, as some domestic fires are minor and are extinguished by the occupier, there are in the region of 250,000 fires in dwellings per year.
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TRADING STANDARDS SURVEY FINDS DANGEROUS ELECTRICAL GOODS ast Riding of Yorkshire Council Trading Standards Service has been advising consumers to be vigilant when purchasing second hand electrical goods, following a survey into the safety of such items.
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Following the summer floods last year, the trading standards service became concerned that electrical goods damaged by water were starting to appear on the second hand market. Information from the market place also indicated that there was an increased demand for second hand electrical goods from people who were not insured against the damage caused by the floods. As a result, the trading standards service took the decision to purchase a portable appliance test instrument, enabling officers to test the safety of electrical goods on sale. Inspections were then carried out at second hand outlets across the East Riding of
Yorkshire. A third of all the items tested failed to meet electrical safety requirements, the majority of faults being found in the plug or the flexible cord. In most cases, trading standards were able to work with the proprietors of the businesses concerned to ensure that either the goods were removed from sale and disposed of, or the fault rectified. Trading standards are continuing to advise consumers to carry out visual checks before buying second hand electrical appliances and, if possible, to buy such goods only if they have been tested for safety.
Any member of the public or business who have concerns about the sale of second hand electrical goods should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506
THE DANGERS OF DOMESTIC APPLIANCES e all know that dangers lurk in the home and that electrical appliances can pose a risk for consumers if not treated with care. However, judging from the latest claims made to domestic warranty provider Domestic & General, appliances are just as at risk from their owners!
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Analysing the last six months’ claims, D & G found that televisions were most at risk from children, with 29% of claims involving them. Examples included: "My three year old son was watching Scooby Doo the Movie, got scared of the monsters and threw the remote at the screen." "My seven year old grandson pulled the TV over onto himself while trying to climb the wardrobe to get at the Christmas presents." "My little daughter sprayed furniture polish onto the screen. It now has big black patches all over the screen."
Virtual games (such as the Wii) can also cause people to hit the screen by accident or throw the control at the screen in their excitement as they get carried away with the game. An amazing 4% of claims for TVs are caused by vacuum cleaners. Their handles can fall into the screen if not secured into the upright position, or owners trip over the lead and knock the TV off its stand. People dropping their TVs while moving them caused a further 27% of claims. It seems that we still don't appreciate how heavy new LCD or plasma televisions are, and we don't always clear the route of potential hazards beforehand. Moving laptop computers also provides a rich source of accidents, with people tripping over hazards (often pets) or even dropping them down the stairs. Dropping a laptop while moving it accounts for 29% of claims.
Spilling liquids onto laptops causes a further fifth of claims, and children account for 15%. It seems that people are prone to leaving the laptop on the floor or on a low table, and small children can't resist sitting or standing on them. Trailing cables cause 10% of laptop claims. People either trip over the cable or walk into it pulling the laptop onto the floor. Finally, Domestic & General have had some unusual claims involving white goods. One lady's oven door shattered when she fell over in the kitchen and hit it with her head. Many ceramic hobs were broken when items were dropped onto them, and a tumble dryer got smashed when its owner reversed into it by mistake! - it was installed in a garage.
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CONCERNS RAISED OVER THE SAFETY OF EXTENSION LEADS IN EUROPE n April this year, the European Commission announced the findings of a Europeanwide market surveillance project that looked at the safety of cord extension sets (commonly known as ‘extension leads’), and sought to determine the level of noncompliance in an area already identified by EU authorities as problematic.
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The project, launched in 2007, was carried out by EU Member State market surveillance authorities, co-ordinated by the LVD ADCO* (Low Voltage Directive Administrative Cooperation) group. Cord extension sets were chosen as a subject for cross-border market surveillance action because of their widespread use across European households, and because safety shortcomings can be severe, leading to risk of electric shock or fire, or damage to connected equipment. In total, 210 cord extension sets were tested in over 20 European countries, including a limited contribution from the UK. Worryingly, the results indicated that only one in six cord extension sets fully complied with statutory safety regulations. Non-compliant samples included those which exhibited only administrative failures, such as deficient declarations of conformity or missing technical documentation. However, around 58% of the cord extension 16 SwitchedOn
sets tested were considered sufficiently unsafe by the authorities to justify a sales ban. The most frequently detected deficiencies included wrong shape and dimensions of plugs and sockets (50%), insufficient diameter of the cord (27%) and insufficient dielectric strength and resistance to ageing, temperature and fire (10%). In a press release issued by the European Commission, it was stated that “These crossborder market surveillance actions found a significant number of non-compliant products on which action was taken, and concluded that more needs to be done to further safeguard the safety of European consumers”. Although the project confirmed the concerns being raised over the safety of cord extension sets throughout Europe, the failures related mainly to products taken from the market outside the UK. Indeed, investigations carried out at around the same time by the Electrical Safety Council on samples of cord extension sets taken from the UK market found none of the deficiencies identified in the Commission’s report. An independent specialist laboratory was commissioned by the Council to carry out safety screening on a selection of 4-way cord extension sets purchased from UK high street
retailers. All of the samples, as tested, passed the safety assessment with no departures or observations being noted, and were therefore found to be compliant with the general safety provisions of the relevant UK product standards. The full laboratory report detailing the results of the cord extension set safety screening can be viewed on the Council’s website. So, are multi-way “extension leads” purchased in the UK safe? In general terms the answer is yes, provided of course they are used as intended by the manufacturer. Further advice on the use of extension leads can be found in the ‘Safety in the home’ section of our website. * The LVD Administrative Cooperation group is constituted by EEA market surveillance authorities enforcing safety of electrical products and Commission representatives. Its role is to discuss electrical safety issues related to market surveillance from an EU point of view, primarily to promote a harmonised understanding as to what is safe, to increase understanding of methods used by other Member States, and to benefit from the knowledge and experience of others. This Group reports to the Low Voltage Directive Working Party.
ELECTRIC SHOCK – WHAT SHOULD I DO? necdotal evidence suggests that a large proportion of the adult population has experienced one or more electric shocks from electrical installations or appliances during their lifetime, often as a result of carelessness. Fortunately, relatively few people are killed each year as a result, but the fact remains that any one of the ‘near miss’ events could have been fatal if the circumstances had been different.
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Recent cases have highlighted the need to know what to do if you think that someone has had, or is having, an electric shock. The effects of an electric shock might be of a short duration, such as an unpleasant tingling, muscular reaction and a shortness of breath, or be of a more permanent nature, including burns and death. The likelihood of an electric shock having fatal consequences depends mainly on the magnitude and duration of the current flow through the body, but several other factors including the current path through the body, the degree of moisture of the skin and the surface area of contact also play a part. Additionally, the risk of a fatal electric shock is increased in places such as gardens where people are in direct contact with the ground, which may be damp or wet. In practice, where the flow of current through the body exceeds 30 mA for more than a very short time (measured in
thousandths of a second), there is a significant increase in the risk of a fatal electric shock. What to do if you believe someone has received or is receiving an electric shock It may not be immediately clear that someone either has received or is receiving an electric shock. Smoke is unlikely to be pouring from their ears! If it is suspected that a person is suffering from electric shock, anyone coming to their aid should approach with extreme caution. The first step would be to separate the person from the source of electricity as quickly as possibly. The best way of doing this would be to turn off the supply, for example by unplugging the appliance or by turning off the main switch in the consumer unit (fuse board). If this is not possible, then you should try to remove the source of electricity from the person using a piece of insulating material, such as a length of wood. NEVER touch the person receiving the electric shock, or you are likely to suffer the same fate. If the person is unconscious, after removing the person from the source of electricity, you should call for an ambulance immediately. Any first aid should be carried out only by those having the necessary knowledge and skill.
Where the person is conscious and seems well, it would still be advisable to monitor the person’s condition, as the effects of an electric shock may not be immediately obvious. In worst case conditions, an electric shock may lead to a condition known as electroporation, where cells within the body rupture, leading to tissue necrosis. Additional problems might include deepseated burns, muscle damage and broken bones. Use an RCD The use of a residual current device (RCD) having a rated residual operating current of 30 mA or less, although not a guarantee of absolute safety, does provide a significant benefit in most cases by limiting the time that current that can flow through the body should a person come into contact with a live source of electricity. In particular, the Electrical Safety Council strongly recommends that any person using electrical appliances in the garden ensures that they are protected by an RCD, preferable one fitted in the consumer unit. Alternatively, a dedicated RCD-protected socket-outlet or a plug-in type of RCD should be used. Copies of our leaflet ‘Using electrical equipment outdoors’ can be downloaded from our website. Alternatively, up to 500 printed copies can be obtained by emailing leaflets@esc.org.uk
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ELECTRIC BLANKET TESTING CAMPAIGN TO HELP OLDER PEOPLE STAY SAFE THIS WINTER ollowing the success of last year’s initiative, we are funding another series of events this autumn at which free electric blanket testing is offered to older people.
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The objective is to promote a number of key safety messages around the use of electric blankets. The aim is to improve safety and decrease potential fire risks in the homes of older people, whilst at the same time offering them practical assistance. Working in association with a number of community-based agencies such as the Fire & Rescue Services and Age Concern branches, we are holding electric blanket testing events in 15 towns across England, Wales and Scotland. Last year, about 70% of the 1700 blankets tested were found to be faulty. The aim of this year’s campaign is to test at least another 1500. Where a blanket fails the tests and cannot be satisfactorily repaired, the owner is offered an equivalent new one in exchange, on the spot. Condemned blankets are disposed of in accordance with the WEEE Directive.
In support of the campaign, we have produced a safety leaflet for users of electric blankets which includes guidance on purchasing, checking, storage and disposal. If you would like a copy, please email us at: leaflets@esc.org.uk. Key electric blanket safety measures The safety guidance given in the leaflet includes: •
When acquiring another blanket, always buy new – second hand blankets may not be safe
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To ensure your blanket is safe for continued use, have it checked by a specialist at least every three years, or as recommended by the manufacturer
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Always read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and follow them
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Never use a blanket having scorch marks or exposed elements
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Check the plug cord for any signs of wear or damage
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Never use the blanket if it is wet and do not switch it on to dry it out
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Never use a hot water bottle and an electric blanket together in the same bed
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When using the blanket always spread it out - never use the blanket folded or creased
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Make sure the power is turned off at the socket or the blanket is unplugged when not in use
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Some electric blankets are designed not to be washed - always check the manufacturer’s instructions
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Keep the blanket stored carefully over the summer months - refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on how best to do this.
ROLL OF APPROVED CONTRACTORS RISES TO 15,000 hen the Approved Contractor scheme was established by the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) in 1956, there were only about 3,500 contractors on the Roll, and only 14 Inspecting Engineers (one for each of the then Area Electricity Boards).
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Then, as now, the Approved Contractor scheme covered the whole of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Many of the original contractors on the Roll had been inherited from the National Register of Electrical Installation Contractors. This body had been set up in 1923, but was evidently faltering in the period leading up
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to the formation of the NICEIC. At its peak in 1938, the National Register had about 1,700 electrical contractors on its books.
reaching a total of almost 14,000 by the end of July last year. A year later, that figure had increased to more than 15,000.
With informed specifiers being the main driving force, encouraged by the Inspecting Engineers of the day, the number of Approved Contractors on the Roll grew steadily from 1956, reaching a total of some 10,500 by the end of 2004.
Over the years, the number of Engineers responsible for assessing contractors against the Rules Relating to Enrolment has increased proportionately, now standing at 73.
At that time, with the government clearly signalling the introduction of electrical safety requirements in Part P of the Building Regulations for England and Wales in January 2005, the number of enrolled contractors began to rise quite sharply,
Since the Electrical Safety Council was formed from the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting in 2005, the Approved Contractor scheme has continued to be operated under licence by NICEIC Group Ltd, the Council’s wholly owned subsidiary.
BEST PRACTICE GUIDES Circulation of what was intended to be the final draft of the guide resulted in further constructive comments from interested parties, which took time to incorporate. It is now planned to publish only the shorter version of the guidance, which should be sufficient for most electrical installers and other practitioners. Hopefully the guide will be available from our website by the time this issue of Switched On is distributed.
Fire precautions Completion of Best Practice Guide No 5, Electrical installations and their impact on the fire performance of buildings: Part 1 – Domestic premises, took considerably longer than had been expected when the previous issue of Switched On was being produced.
To increase awareness of the important information and advice it contains, it is still planned to formally launch the guide at one or more events for electrical installers and other building professionals. News about these events is likely to be given on our website before the next issue of Switched On is published.
the original (January 2008) version by the marking ‘Issue 2’ on the front cover. It supersedes the original version, which should no longer be used.
Periodic inspection As advised in the summer issue of Switched On, an amended (July 2008) version of Best Practice Guide No 4 – Periodic inspection reporting – recommendation codes for domestic and similar electrical installations – is now available, and can be downloaded from the ‘Business and Community’ section of our website. It can be distinguished from
Other Guides Work has commenced on two more Best Practice Guides, one dealing with plug-in devices for testing 13 A socket-outlets, and the other dealing with electrically unsafe situations. News about the development and availability of these and other guides will be given in future issues of Switched On.
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES rom 1 October this year, landlords are required to provide tenants in England and Wales with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) at the point of new rental.
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We became aware of this new requirement as a result of questions from landlords who thought the requirement was for a periodic inspection report or electrical safety inspection.
data collection in relation to low energy lighting, and heating systems and controls, it is unrelated to the periodic electrical safety inspection and tests carried out by electrical inspectors.
The certificate is the same as that needed for the Home Information Pack which now has to be produced when selling residential properties in England and Wales.
Energy Performance Certificates provide details about the current and potential CO2 emissions of a property, running cost indicators, recommendations for improvements, and improvement cost indicators. Certificates are valid for ten years. Energy performance surveys can be carried out only by licensed and accredited Domestic Energy Assessors.
Although the Energy Performance Certificate contains some information relating to electrical installations, such as
For further information about Energy Performance Certificates, visit www.communities.gov.uk/epbd
www.communities.gov.uk/epbd
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ELECTRICAL QUIZ – WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE? his is the second of a series of electrical quizzes we’re running in Switched On. The quizzes are pitched at three levels: ‘trickle charged’, ‘medium powered’ and ‘high potential’.
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The aim of this ‘medium-powered’ quiz is to answer all the electrically-related questions using the cryptic sports clues provided. If you think you have ten right answers, you can enter the prize draw by emailing them to us at quiz@esc.org.uk by Friday 31 October 2008
The person providing the first set of correct answers to be selected at random from the entries will receive:
A Socket & See DL420 earth fault loop impedance test instrument (RRP £160)*
A safety kit comprising a Testmate ET200 voltage detector, a proving unit and a domestic lock-off kit (RRP £150)*
A full set of NICEIC technical publications (RRP £175)*
A year’s free subscription to the Electrical Safety Council’s Technical Manual on CD (worth £50.00)
The next four persons providing the correct answers to be selected at random from the entries will each receive:
A safety kit comprising a Testmate ET200 voltage detector, a proving unit and a domestic lock-off kit (RRP £150)*
A year’s free subscription to the Electrical Safety Council’s Technical Manual on CD (worth £50.00)
* Prizes kindly donated by NICEIC Group Ltd
This cryptic ‘medium-powered’ electrical quiz has a sporting flavour: 1 Former Fulham and German international who applied 7 This record by a synthpop group from the Wirral could have a pressure (6, 4)
magnetic attraction (5, 5)
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Surname of former Arsenal striker whose induction to football was in a small sovereign city-state (5)
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It is equivalent to 746 watts (3, 10)
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The nickname of this former Welsh Manchester United striker suggests he could have been an electrician (6)
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Michael is part of the home of AFC Newbury (7, 4)
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A type of electrical circuit a boxer competes in (4)
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A type of combat Michael Faraday may have taken part in, as he had the same potential as anyone else (4, 8)
Rating:
Glasgow born boxer who powered his way through the world lightweight division in the late seventies (3, 4)
This Kent-based ice hockey team could produce a lot of energy (7, 7)
trickle charged medium powered high potential
The terms and conditions for the prize draw may be found on our website. The solution to this quiz will be posted on our website shortly after the closing date together with, as soon as possible, the names of the lucky winners. Details of the winners of the quiz in the summer issue, together with the solution to the quiz, can be viewed on our website (www.esc.org.uk).
ELECTRICAL SAFETY COUNCIL ROADSHOW ur interactive trailer has now completed its first tour, visiting a variety of country shows and town centres throughout the UK.
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Facilities on the trailer include a mock-up of a kitchen and a bedroom that visitors can go inside to see the electrical hazards that might exist in their own homes. There is the opportunity to have a go on our challenging electrical safety quiz with a
chance of winning a prize. In addition to a wide range of consumer safety leaflets and a variety of promotional items to entice people on board, visitors can also take away our new home safety DVD. The trailer has proved to be a great success. During its travels, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming over 10,000 visitors to the trailer, and have given away more than 15,000 leaflets and educational fun packs.
The trailer will be touring again in 2009. We will be keeping you updated about its schedule and progress in future issues of Switched On.
BACK ISSUES OF SWITCHED ON All the previous issues of Switched On are available to read or download from the ‘Business & Community’ section of our website. www.esc.org.uk 20 SwitchedOn
www.esc.org.uk