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15 March 2012 | PHS Compliance

Electrical Wiring Safety Testing − A Matter of Life and Death?

Electrical safety regulation may not be the liveliest of subjects to blog about, but electricians know that it can be, literally, a matter of life and death. Well, the world just got a little bit safer. The first update to BS7671: 2008, IET Wiring Regulations 17th Edition, came into force on 1 January 2012 and introduced significant changes.

The amendment impacts everyone responsible for electrical installation and safety in the facilities, estates, health and safety and electrical markets.

There are four new specific Sections to the Standard (444, 534, 710 & 729).  These deal with measures against electromagnetic disturbances, protection against overvoltage, medical locations and operating in gangways.  Perhaps more important and universally relevant, the previous ‘Periodic Inspection Report’ has been replaced by a new ‘Electrical Installation Condition Report’.

The Condition Report is the output from any periodic installation test and details in clear language exactly what has been found and what faults, if any, need to be corrected.  There are now only three, straightforward fault codes:  C1 identifies a danger present; C2 a potentially dangerous condition and C3 a recommendation to improve the safety of the installation.

Paul Caddick, managing director of PHS Compliance, commented, “The new Condition Report is a very welcome introduction for improved safety.  Previously it was extremely difficult for anyone but a qualified electrician to interpret the findings of test results and consequently a dangerous proportion were never acted upon.  The style and format of this new report delivers the important information in an immediate and useful way.  The “Duty Holder” may not be a technician but is ultimately responsible for safety.  Now he or she can quickly grasp what the test report is telling or advising and take appropriate action swiftly to rectify faults.”

The (initially daunting) implications for those who design, install, test and maintain electrical systems actually add up to a sensible step forward in ensuring electrical safety.  Since last July, here at PHS we have retrained all our engineers and updated test equipment software to comply with the improved Standard, and are happy that it helps us in delivering a better and safer service to our customers.

Other Press Releases from PHS Compliance

15/3/2012 - Regulation, litigation, prosecution - these are worrying times for landlords If you rent out a property then your tenants have every right to expect that the home they are paying for is comfortable and above all, safe. The vast majority of landlords are conscientious and honest and realise that the regulations and legislation are there for everyone’s benefit. Rather like the MoT test for vehicles, you comply with the regulations to ensure that the basic levels of safety are complied with.
30/6/2011 - Hotel fire deaths prompt safety warning from Compliance Workplace safety expert, PHS Compliance, has issued a warning to hotel owners and managers in the wake of a recent court case concerning three deaths caused by fire at one Cornish hotel.
30/6/2011 - ‘Mr Compliance’ launched by PHS at the Facilities Show PHS Compliance, the workplace safety expert, has today introduced ‘Mr Compliance’, a character designed to simplify and clarify the legislative safety demands for small to medium sized organisations.
30/6/2011 - Compliance remedial gap - the danger zone Most FM professionals know that safety with electricity, fire and gas means risk assessments and appropriate programmes of testing and maintenance. However, according to experts PHS Compliance, many organisations fall into a dangerous gap within this essential safety process.
30/6/2011 - Green consumption vs green supply The Department of Energy and Climate Change very recently brought in the new the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (formerly known as the Carbon Reduction Commitment), which they say is central to the UK’s strategy for improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as set out in the Climate Change Act 2008.