SCOTTISH UPDATE
CAMPAIGN PROMOTES USE OF REGISTERED ELECTRICIANS
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
Call for electrical safety checks in short-term lets Industry charity Electrical Safety First has welcomed the Scottish government’s plan to regulate shortterm lets (STLs). “We warmly welcome the commitment, given in the Programme for Government, to legislate for STLs, such as those listed on Airbnb, which have dramatically increased in recent years,” said Wayne Mackay, public affairs manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland at Electrical Safety First. “However, we believe it is imperative that the proposed licensing scheme includes a requirement for mandatory electrical safety checks. Three-quarters of Scotland’s fires are caused by electricity. In fact, it is the number one cause of fire in Scottish homes. And the risk of fire is likely to be
increased if a property has a high turnover of residents and lacks regular electrical checks.” Electrical Safety First is calling for STLs to be required to have mandatory five-yearly electrical safety checks, carried out by a registered electrician, so that it is on par with the private rented sector. “The Scottish government led the UK in protecting tenants by requiring regular electrical safety checks, by a registered electrician, in all privately rented homes,” added Mackay. “But the legislation doesn’t cover tenants in owner occupied homes. “As the majority of STLs are in owner-occupied properties, with research finding that a quarter of Scotland’s STL guests had experienced an electrical safety issue, this shortfall must be addressed.”
A new Scotland-wide campaign has launched to encourage consumers to check that they are using registered electricians. The initiative – Be a Bright Spark, Choose the Right Spark – has been developed by groups including the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), NICEIC, Electrical Safety First, the Scottish government, Trading Standards Scotland and Advice Direct Scotland. It encourages people to access findanelectricianscotland.com to find electricians from recognised industry bodies such as NICEIC. SFRS group commander David Dourley said: “Poorly installed electrical work can put consumers at risk. We want to help the public to avoid electrical fires by asking them to consider if they are using a registered electrician.” The campaign will be launched on social media during October. New figures from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have revealed there were 1,123 electrical fires in Scotland during the past fiscal year (2019/20). The category ‘Wiring, cabling and plugs’ accounted for almost half of all electrical fires.
Take 18th Edition test remotely NICEIC and ELECSA, in association with JTL, are p pleased to confirm they are autho authorised to deliver the City & Guild Guilds 18th Edition remote assessmen assessment. This means you can now un undertake the BS 7671:2018 quali qualification exam from your ow own home or office. “Many people now want and need to
update skills remotely,” said Sam Egerton, sales manager at City & Guilds. “For some, it comes down to timing and not being able to take time away from the day job, for others it is a preference and, of course, in light of the current situation for many, it is about necessity and safety.” Neil Vincent, NICEIC and ELECSA’s head of training, said: “Having had the
remote exam in our portfolio for two months now, I am encouraged by the feedback from delegates who are relishing the convenience of being able to sit the assessment remotely.” To book your 18th Edition remote assessment, please contact the NICEIC Training administration team on 0333 015 6627.
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