Inadequate inspections on the safety of wiring in buildings across England are increasing the risk of fires, E&T has found. A flawed regulatory system has sparked a race to the bottom, with some businesses profiting at the expense of the public’s safety.
Please get in touch with any comments/thoughts you may have
From the Working Group Report of November 2017.
Issue 4 – Residual Current Devices (RCDs) 24.Working group members discussed whether to recommend a supplementary approach to mandatory inspection and testing by introducing a requirement for landlords to install RCDs in their properties. RCDs are devices designed to prevent people from getting a fatal electric shock if they touch something live such as a bare wire. RCDs are usually fixed to the electrical consumer unit and are designed to switch off electricity automatically if there is an earth fault; protecting against fatal electric shocks and fire caused by earth faults. The group noted that 62% of PRS households currently had RCDs installed5. 25.The group noted that whilst this would be a less burdensome option for landlords as it would require a one off cost, rather than regular costs of 5 yearly checks and costs of remedial works, RCD protection alone would not ensure tenants’ safety, as RCDs can become unreliable if not regularly tested. The group also noted that RCDs do not provide protection against overload or short-circuit. An electrical installation check might advise the fitting of RCD protection in some circumstances. The group concluded that RCDs alone were not sufficient to ensure electrical safety but that their installation should be recommended. However, the absence of an RCD does not necessarily mean that an installation is unsafe – the inspection and testing would be the determining factor of safety. The Group therefore felt that RCDs (and the appropriate testing of RCDs) should be recommended as good practice, rather than required by new regulations.
Recommendation 5: The installation of Residual Current Devices (RCDs) by landlords should be encouraged as good practice and set out in guidance.
So, where is the Government guidance on the requirements for RCDs in privately rented homes?
How are inspectors supposed to know what the official guidance is if nobody tells them?
Should I code a socket used outdoors without 30 mA RCD protection at a privately rented home C2, but code the electric shower without 30 mA RCD protection in the same home C3, if so why?
Perhaps more to the point, why should I even get involved?
From the Working Group Report of November 2017.
Issue 4 – Residual Current Devices (RCDs) 24.Working group members discussed whether to recommend a supplementary approach to mandatory inspection and testing by introducing a requirement for landlords to install RCDs in their properties. RCDs are devices designed to prevent people from getting a fatal electric shock if they touch something live such as a bare wire. RCDs are usually fixed to the electrical consumer unit and are designed to switch off electricity automatically if there is an earth fault; protecting against fatal electric shocks and fire caused by earth faults. The group noted that 62% of PRS households currently had RCDs installed5. 25.The group noted that whilst this would be a less burdensome option for landlords as it would require a one off cost, rather than regular costs of 5 yearly checks and costs of remedial works, RCD protection alone would not ensure tenants’ safety, as RCDs can become unreliable if not regularly tested. The group also noted that RCDs do not provide protection against overload or short-circuit. An electrical installation check might advise the fitting of RCD protection in some circumstances. The group concluded that RCDs alone were not sufficient to ensure electrical safety but that their installation should be recommended. However, the absence of an RCD does not necessarily mean that an installation is unsafe – the inspection and testing would be the determining factor of safety. The Group therefore felt that RCDs (and the appropriate testing of RCDs) should be recommended as good practice, rather than required by new regulations.
Recommendation 5: The installation of Residual Current Devices (RCDs) by landlords should be encouraged as good practice and set out in guidance.
So, where is the Government guidance on the requirements for RCDs in privately rented homes?
How are inspectors supposed to know what the official guidance is if nobody tells them?
Should I code a socket used outdoors without 30 mA RCD protection at a privately rented home C2, but code the electric shower without 30 mA RCD protection in the same home C3, if so why?
Perhaps more to the point, why should I even get involved?
We're about to take you to the IET registration website. Don't worry though, you'll be sent straight back to the community after completing the registration.
Continue to the IET registration site
