The Government wants to curb the rising number of electrical accidents and fires in the home by bringing electrical safety within the scope of the building regulations for the first time:
Tough, new controls on electrical work in the home will reduce deaths, injuries and fires caused by defective installations and save the economy an estimated £93m over ten years, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced today.
The changes to the building regulations underline the Government's fire prevention agenda - with the goal of preventing fires from starting in the first place. This was set out in the recent White Paper 'Our Fire and Rescue Service' and good building design is one of the key factors in effective fire prevention.
The Government wants to curb the rising number of electrical accidents and fires in the home by bringing electrical safety within the scope of the building regulations for the first time.
But the success of the new controls, which could come into force by next spring 2004, depends on the electrical industry coming forward with trade certification schemes to test the competence of installers.
In recent years householders and their families have faced an increased risk of injury from electric shock or fires caused by faults in fixed installations or portable appliances. Many accidents are due to faulty extension and alteration work, use of equipment that does not comply with British Standards or misuse of portable appliances.
Properly designed, fitted and tested fixed installations offer protection against these dangers. This is why the Government, having consulted with the public and the construction industry, now wants national safety standards reinforced by redefining work on fixed electrical installations in the home as building work to bring them within the control of building regulations.
Parliamentary under Secretary Phil Hope, the Minister responsible for building regulations, said in a written statement:
“Making householders aware of the need to protect themselves and their families from incompetent workmanship is in line with our drive for better, safer communities in which to live and work. The new measures will also raise industry standards and contribute towards our aim of creating a better-qualified workforce. They reinforce the emphasis in the Fire White Paper published on 30 June of greater prevention of fires.”
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Website: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_buildreg/documents/sectionhomepage/odpm_buildreg_page.hcsp