Fulcher Edwards Ltd

The Must Have App for 2012

2012-01-06T12:08:00.029Z

The Electrical Safety Council reported towards the end of last year that a new study found that millions of people in the UK expose themselves and their families to potentially fatal accidents in the home through simple electrical blunders because of an alarming lack of knowledge about the real danger of electricity.

The ESC have since launched a free smartphone app called the Home Electrical Safety Check to help people ensure their families and homes are safe. Fulcher Edwards Ltd took a look at this app and we like it very much.

To give you an idea of how it works, there is a checklist function for each room/area of a house listed as follows;

Living room
Kitchen/utility room
Bathroom
Bedroom
Garden/shed/garage

When you click on the relevant area it brings up a list of accessories you could have in that room, for example sockets, lights and electrical appliances to name a few, so if you click on 'Bathroom' and then 'sockets' it has the following come up...

'if there are sockets in the bathroom, they must be protected by an RCD (residual current device) and a minimum of three meters away from the bath or shower to avoid water splashes'.

In each section the user gets the chance to tick the areas that may need to be resolved or get a registered electrician to look at. Each ticked item then gets put in the 'Flagged for review' section of the app for the user to return too. Anything that is highlighted with a yellow triangle advises the user to speak with a registered electrician about that particular matter.

We found the app really easy to use and informative so will be telling our domestic customers and landlord's about it. Hopefully more app's will become available in the future to help raise electrical awareness in homes and businesses as electrical safety still seems to take a back seat at times.

This free app is available for iPhone and Android phones - just go to the App Store or Android Market, search for ‘Home Electrical Safety Check’ then follow the instructions to download.

A free app that can protect you and your family? It's a no brainer really.

Don't Forget Electrical Safety at Christmas

2011-12-09T13:52:00.012Z

The festive season is a pretty time of year with streets and houses decorated with twinkling lights and figurines yet electrical safety still needs to be a consideration with Christmas lighting to avoid the risk of injury caused by electric shock.

The ESC has issued the following essential safety advice to help you and your family safe this Christmas;

ALWAYS

1) Check that your Christmas lights are not damaged or broken before use and look out for loose wires
2) Ensure all outdoor lights are connected via a 30mA RCD protected socket indoors. An RCD will provide added protection against electric shock
3) Replace failed bulbs as soon as possible to prevent overheating
4) Use only replacement bulbs of the same type and rating as those originally supplied with the lights
5) Switch Christmas lights off and unplug them before you go out or go to bed

NEVER

1) Use lights outdoors unless specifically designed for such use
2) Connect different sets of lights together
3) Remove or change bulbs while the chain is connected to the electricity supply
4) Overload sockets and try to avoid the use of extension leads or adaptors
5) Use or attempt to repair lights that are damaged or faulty - replace them

Whether your Christmas decorations are up or yet to go up it’s never too late to carry out these simple precautions and checks which can be found in the ESC Christmas Lighting Quick Reference Guide.

For more electrical safety advice take a look at the Electrical Safety Council's website.

Making Your Halloween Scary But Safe

2011-10-27T09:44:00.010+01:00

Halloween is the season to be scary and each year it is turning into a bigger event in this country, so why not get into the spirit of things by adding some spooky lighting to your own haunted house.

There is some great spooky figurines and lighting ideas to be found on the Internet in preparation for this weekend that we have shared with you below, but it is still important to consider electrical safety when purchasing and decorating your home for Halloween to keep your trick or treater safe.

Ghostly Pathways

Add some dark & spooky scenes to your pathway by using
floodlights as suggested on eHow as they cover a large area with colored light. The right color sets the mood for your display, so plan the look you want and choose accordingly. Blue floodlights add to the ghostly feel of a graveyard scene, notes Halloween Yard Haunter, while red lights enhance a naughty devil theme. Purple lights and red lights help set the mood for a vampire setting. Green lights bring a spooky-faced witch to life. Floodlights get very hot, so make sure they are set up safely away from children, pets and combustible material like dry leaves with no cables causing a trip hazard. It is important that any light you use outside are approved for outdoor use so always check before buying.

Webbed Doorways & Stairs

As recommend on lights4fun why not use novelty cobwebs to your Halloween displays, keep it safe and choose only LED, low voltage or battery powered fairy lights. Perfect around children and no re-lighting flames when the pumpkin is on the door step!

Spooky Pumpkins

Don't use candles in your pumpkin this year and put yourself at risk of a fire hazard, use battery operated tea lights instead. The beauty of battery operated LED candles is that you have the safety of no naked flame, no fire risk, but a realistic animated effect. These LED Tea Lights will never get hot and are perfect around home decorations, fabrics and furniture. We loved these at lights4fun.

No Haunting Overloads

If you need to use an extension lead when decorating your haunted house remember not to overload the circuit by plugging into many lights into it. This can cause the wiring to overheat which can be a potential fire hazard, instead spread the lighting load over different circuits or lessen the lighting load.

Frightful Extension Leads

Replace any cords that are frayed or show signs of wear and avoid a trip hazard by keeping them out of the way where people will be walking. Rain and ground moisture can affect their operation and could cause a dangerous situation as electricity and water do not mix, so keep them inside.

Always roll your extension lead completely out and never leave it partly on the coil otherwise it could suffer heat damage.

Prevent a Freakish Fire

Always turn off your lighting displays when your haunted evening is finished as a short circuit could easily cause a fire.

Always make sure that any portable eletrical equipment that is used in the garden are protected with an RCD.

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Part P: Helping to spread the word!

2011-09-01T16:53:00.034+01:00

We often receive calls asking us to provide a homeowner with a certificate for electrical installation work that has been completed by another electrician. It’s usually because the electrician they have employed to do the work or one that there builder has brought in, has failed to mention that firstly they require a certificate and secondly that they were not Part P registered in the first place.

Part P of the Building Regulations was introduced to stop this type of thing from happening, unfortunately due to the lack of investment from the government only a small percentage of homeowners have heard of Part P.

Now you may be thinking what is the problem with asking another electrician to provide an electrical certificate to solve the problem? Well the problem is no electrician should certify another electrician’s work as they would have no idea how good that install was, if the electrician was qualified to do the work and if it’s even safe to use. Part P is mainly concerned with the quality of the installation and most of the evidence to show that the installation is correct will be hidden within ceilings and floor voids.

Fulcher Edwards Ltd along with many other registered electrical services companies are doing there bit to help the Electrical Safety Council in spreading the word of Part P. We thought we would do a quick Q&A below to at least get you started on understanding What Part P is all about.

Q. What is Part P exactly?

Part P is the rules set out in the Building Regulations for carrying out electrical installation work in homes and gardens in England and Wales.

Q. How long has Part P been part of the Building Regulations?

In 2005 the Government introduced electrical safety rules into the Building Regulations for England and Wales. This meant that most fixed electrical installation work carried out in homes, must by Law meet the Building Regulations.

Q. Why was Part P introduced?

Part P was introduced to protect the homeowner by reducing the number of deaths, injuries and fires caused by faulty electrical installations. It was also introduced to make life harder for 'cowboys' who leave electrical installations in an unsafe condition.

Q. What does Part P state in the Building Regs?

Part P states that anyone carrying out electrical installation work in a home must make sure that the work is designed and installed to protect people from fire and electrical shocks.

Q. When does Part P apply?

Part P applies to any electrical installation work in the home, garden, conservatory or outbuilding and includes newly-built homes. It also applies to changes made to existing installations, including any parts that have been rewired.

Q. What do I need to do if I need a Part P Certificate?

You have two options;

1)Speak to someone in the Building Control Department of your local Authority before starting any installation works or

2)Employ an electrician is that registered with one of the with one of the Government-approved Part P schemes such as NICEIC, ELECSA or NAPIT

Q. Why does the electrician need to be registered?

If you use a registered electrician then you can expect a safe electrical installation and one that complies with the latest edition of the UK national standard BS7671 requirement.

Q. Who is responsible for making sure electrical work meets the requirements of Part P?

Homeowners and Landlords must be able to prove that all electrical installation work meets the requirements of Part P or they are committing a criminal offence.

Q. How can I prove I my work meets Part P requirements?

When the work has been completed by a registered electrician then you will be issued with an Electrical Installation Certificate or a Minor Works Certificate. You will also receive a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate which will be sent by your local Authorities.

To find out more information regarding Part P take a look at the Communities and Local Government website here and by reading the Electrical Safety Council’s useful leaflet here.

We've Been Very Busy Bees!

2011-05-26T15:24:00.053+01:00

Busy busy is what we've been at Fulcher Edwards these last few months (hence the lack of blogging) not that we are complaining at all, but things have been a little hectic to say the least!

We thought we would give you a little insight to the recent goings on in our offices in Waterloo these last few months....

We Are Now ISO9001:2008 Accredited
It all started when we decided before Christmas that it was time to add another accreditation to our belt and we decided an ISO9001 is exactly what we needed to prove to our customers how important quality is to our company.

Apparently we were already over half way there with things that needed to be in place to gain such a logo but with a few extra quality procedures here and there, we passed our audit with flying colours! In fact, not to boast (but we will) we actually did not get one single non-conformity which filled us with an even bigger sense of pride. For those of you not familiar with ISO non-conformities, it is very rare to not get any when an audit takes place.

Our NICEIC Audit
We also had an NICEIC audit which makes sure that we are still worthy of being NICEIC accredited by checking some of our work. Again I am pleased to say we are still a NICEIC approved electrical services company.

Our First Magazine Article
Electrical Times magazine got in touch with us a couple of months ago to ask if they could write a contractor profile on us, "well of course" we said how could we turn such an offer down! The magazines Editor Rodney Jack came to our offices at the Waterloo terminal to interview us, as well as bringing a photographer to take some photos of the FE team. We had a great afternoon and luckily didn’t look too scary in the photos! You can read our article here.

A Brief TV Appearance
One of apprentices, Bobby, decided he wanted to go on Take Me Out on ITV a few months ago to find ‘the one’, personally we think it was to entertain his work colleagues. They had to film a short piece on him being a trainee electrician, so there he was in his FE uniform with his co-worker Neil. Though unfortunately we can now report since the big date, that there will be no FE Wedding.

Lots of New Projects
We have been very busy the last few months with new projects and customers, which we are delighted with. Here's to name a few; The Old Vic, The Marriot Hotel, Claridges Hotel, River Island, China TV, Sue Ryder, Rat Race, The Oxo Tower, TV Globo, Rail Gourmet and The Railway Children.

Safecontractor Accredited
Last year we decided we wanted an accreditation that showed people how important Health and Safety is to Fulcher Edwards, well that was a year ago so we were due for our yearly audit. We have since submitted all information required to Safecontractor and are quietly confident that they will be happy to let us keep our logo. We will of course update you further once we know more.

What Next?
We are in the process of creating a newsletter for our customers so stay posted on our website so you can sign up to it too for helpful advice for homeowners and businesses.

We will also be looking at the next accrediatation we would like to achieve and maybe a website facelift over the next few months.

Now things have settled down a little, we are hopeful that our blogging services should now resume to normal once again. Who knows, we may even add a picture blog too! But for now I think a well earned cup of tea is needed before we start anything.

To Pay or Not To Pay, That is The Question! Though Surely it Shouldn't Be Should it?

2011-02-14T12:05:00.029Z

After a very interesting conversation on Twitter the other day with Roberta Ward (@RobertaWard ) Keith Kelly (@pagroupuk) and Hanna Coleman (@DREAMWALLS) it prompted me to write a blog on the joys of receiving payments as a business in these current times.

Now this not being paid on time malarkey has always been there I know, but this last 18 months have been very trying indeed, some people just don't want to part with there money even though a good job has been done. Some companies have been put out of business because of it and I am constantly looking at ways to reduce it as I am sure a lot of companies are.

Maybe I am old school with my views but I never understand why a person or business would have no intention of paying for a service they have requested? Especially if they are happy with the outcome. Perhaps it’s about how far a person/company will go? I am no credit angel believe me, but I’ve never been that person to not pay a bill until I am threatened to be cut off for example, but I know for some people this is no big deal to them.

A lot of people think Commercial companies would be our problem payers but to be honest, with us its mainly Domestic customers at the moment. Don’t get me wrong some Commercial companies are difficult to get payment from and our Solicitors have to give us a helping hand sometimes, but this delay in payment is usually due to a chain of people giving approval of a payment or waiting for a signing of a cheque/BACS run.

Saying that, last year we had a company owe us thousands of pounds of work and they went into liquidation. Due to the amount of money they owed we were at the bottom of their very long list, so we basically had to write it off which no-one wants to do of course. The worst bit of all was there sister company contacted us just after Christmas who we had also done work for at the same time, to say how they had misplaced their certificates we had sent them and could they have another copy? We couldn't believe the nerve they had to call us!

Maybe it's the payment methods that we offer our customers that makes us prone to non-payers? We don’t use a credit card machine yet as we can not justify the costs involved at the moment with how many domestic customer's we have. We take payment after works are complete which is accepted by cash, cheque or a 7 day invoice which in some cases is the only option (landlords for example). We are however looking at Paypal at the moment also as another option and to make it easier for our customers to pay us.

The biggest debate we have in our office is how far do we go before saying “we would like payment first please” without panicking people into thinking we’re a ‘dodgy company’ that wont give our customers their electrical certificates until they pay us. My Managing Director has very strong views personally and professional about not paying trade’s people upfront until all works are complete and I do understand his point but at the same time if we give out or complete all the information required from us, how is payment guaranteed if the customer has everything they need?

This is not an everyday problem for us, a lot of our customers are good payers but there the odd few that can cause worry and concern with how much they owe us and what affect that will have on us. 9 times out of 10 a Solicitors letter does do the trick but still time and cost is involved in this process that could be used elsewhere.

I would really be interested into hearing people’s views on this topic, whether you are an electrician or own a company and how you avoid such issues or even if you are customer and what payment terms you would expect from a service like ours?

Sorry if I sound like I am having a rant but in these current times cash flow is what keeps my families business afloat so it is a subject very close to my heart and I am very passionate about keeping Fulcher Edwards Ltd going for another 30 years at least!

Our Adventures in 2010

2011-01-10T14:18:00.010Z

The Christmas decorations are down, the mulled wine bottle is empty (though still waiting for the recycling dustman to collect!) and the last of remaining mince pies has been eaten. Another Christmas has left us as quickly as it arrived and 2010 is done and dusted and my, what a year it has been for Fulcher Edwards Ltd!

2010 was a hard year and like most companies we worked ‘our butt’s off’ harder than ever before, I’m pleased to say we made it through the other side but it was not by far an easy ride. We went from months of pure craziness where we contemplated taking on more staff, to months of wondering if we would come out of it without making any redundancies. I’m pleased to say we didn’t have to make any.

We did a lot more marketing last year than ever before and learnt a few valuable lessons along the way, good and bad. 2010 was very much trial and error for our marketing campaign as in previous years it was never something we had to do on a large scale to gain more business. We started our own Facebook page last year as well as our very own blog and we even jumped on the Twitter bandwagon to interact with our customers, I admit both are very time consuming, but it’s been very worth it!

Twitter has been great with connecting with other electricians like Stirling Electrical in Scotland @StirlingElect, electrical suppliers like Sparks Electrical in North London @sparksdirect and other electrical tweeps like Gary Pratten @mylocalelectric a Publisher for the My Local Trades network of online magazines. We have learnt a lot from these industry professionals and the rest of our Twitter family. I feel like everyone we interact with on Twitter either by our business account @FEelectricians or my personal one @FulcherEdwards are all incredibly helpful and I wish I could thank everyone personally in this blog post but I fear it will take me well and truly over the recommended 500 characters! You all know who you are I’m sure : )

We gained a lot of new customers in 2010 despite ‘the recession’ some have been very good to us by calling us time and time again throughout the year and even recommending us to other companies, friends or family. Like many other companies though there were a few chancers, time wasters and some terrible payers also. On the whole though the good outweighed the bad and in this type environment you have to take some risks to succeed.

We were lucky to be involved with some of the projects happening at our home, the Eurostar terminal in Waterloo Station last year too. The Ark Charity Dinner where we even got to help out The Killers! The Railway Children production, London Fashion Week and TV drama Luther were some others. Who knows what the terminal will be used for this year but one things for sure it’s nice to have some life back in the place.

Who knows what 2011 will bring, our first week back in January has already seen a VAT increase, calls from new customer’s as well loyal ones and even calls from ones who we quoted months and months that are now ready in getting the works done.
I don’t doubt that it will be an equally challenging year ahead however I feel like Fulcher Edwards Ltd is that little bit wiser now (or maybe that’s just me!) We may still get bruised and battered along the way but I think that will make us an even better company at the end of the day.

Happy New Year everyone, here’s to a prosperous 2011!

Electrical Safety When Working From Home

2010-11-04T15:11:00.031Z

Most of us wish we had the option to work from home from time to time, well I do anyway. The thought of being able to roll out of bed a little later, to have a leisurely breakfast, hey maybe cook myself some scrambled eggs on toast and then casually turn on my laptop in my PJ's, all in the privacy of my own home sounds oh so great to me!

I think you would all agree that for that very same reason of why I would love to work from home is also a very good reason why I shouldn't! Don't get me wrong I am hard working person yet I see home as my place to relax so my work ethic may turn into more of a laid back affair which would probably turn into me not achieving very much in my day, so really and truly I am better getting up super early and facing the London commute like most people do and working from our Waterloo office.

For those of you that do have that privilege of working at home (and are obviously more disciplined than me) the team at Fulcher Edwards wondered how many homeworkers with electrical equipment provided by there employers, have some type of electrical maintenance in place or if there just left to get on with things? You know the 'well it works' attitude that some companies tend to suffer with unfortunately.

Although the home is the responsibility of a homeworker they are only actually responsible for their own equipment which is purchased by themselves.

Employers should have steps in place like the ones below which are recommended by the HSE to keep there homeworkers safe and prevent harm or injury, ensuring that all electrical equipment is turned off before.

1) Check that plugs are not damaged
2) Check the domestic electrical systems are adequate for electrical equipment
3) Check plugs are correctly wired and maintained
4) Check that the outer covering of the cable or wire is gripped where it enters the plug or the equipment
5) Check that the outer corner of the equipment is not damaged, for example look for loose parts or screws
6) Check leads, wires or cables for damage to the outer covering
7) Check for burn marks or staining that suggests overheating
8) Repair electrical equipment that may cause harm or injury to the homeworker
9) Check that there are no trailing wires; if there are, tuck them out of the way,
for example under a desk or table to prevent accidents

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) places duties on employers, self-employed people and employees. Under this law employers have a duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees, this also includes homeworkers. The safe use of electricity at work is covered by the Electricity At Work Regulations 1989.

Although homeworkers have a slightly different set up, there safety is equally as important as workers in an office environment and electrical maintenance needs to be in place regarding there equipment such as portable appliance testing. The type of maintenance procedures employers have in place will depend on whether hazards are low or high risk.

If you work from home then why not speak with your employer about what procedures are in place as maintaining your electrical equipment is important for a number of reasons, mainly to avoid electrical faults as they can cause a fire.

If you are a homeworker we would be interested to hear what electrical safety procedures your employer has in place?

Maintain Your Emergency Lighting As One Day You May Just Need It!

2010-10-13T16:02:00.046+01:00

A week rarely goes by without the team at Fulcher Edwards being slightly concerned by the lack of interest some companies have in maintaining there Emergency Lighting in their building, yet it plays such a major part should an emergency like a power failure occur. Though some companies will happily take our advice as they were not aware of there full responsibilities before, however some just push it to one side.

Only a couple of weeks ago we had to write an letter to a company basically reiterating from a previous conversation we had with them months before of the dangers they face not having enough emergency lighting in there building. We are not talking about a small company either (not that should make any difference if it was) but they have hundreds of people entering there premises everyday who are members of the general public. Heaven forbid if an incident were to occur, in our expert opinion, it could be disastrous. As usual expense normally compromises safety, even more so these days and we are unable to force companies into taking our advice. We have still had no instructions from that company were afraid to say.

The British Standards (BS5266) recommends that emergency lighting systems be regularly serviced by 'competent' persons, which means these being persons with the necessary knowledge, skills and training to undertake emergency lighting servicing procedures.

The Purpose of Emergency Lighting?

1) To illuminate escape route signs in a building to allow for safe movement and evacuation in a emergency such as a mains failure

2) They ensure that fire alarm call points and fire equipment provided along the escape routes can be readily located and used

3) To permit operations concerned with safety measures

Regular testing in your premises ensures that your emergency lighting system remains reliable at all times and should an emergency occur then this type of lighting ensures that people can evacuate a building safely.

How Regular is Regular?
The British Standards recommends routine testing should be carried out as follows and recorded in a log book:

Daily
This requires a visual check to ensure that emergency lighting systems are operating correctly and that indicators are working. This should be carried out by the 'responsible person' delegated by a company. Any faults should be logged and corrected ASAP.

Monthly
All luminaries should be checked for signs of damage or disrepair. All emergency lights should be briefly tested to ensure that they operate in the event of mains electricity supply failure. This will usually be carried out by the 'responsible person'. Again any faults should be logged and corrected ASAP.

Annually
A full system inspection and duration test of the emergency lights should be performed by a 'competent person' who will log the details, rectify any faults and provide your company with certification for your fire safety records.

Who is a Competent Person?
This is a person who has the necessary skills, training and knowledge to perform emergency lighting maintenance and servicing. They are qualified, experienced in emergency lighting, registered with a government approved body(such as NICEIC) and comply with the British Standards. Your chosen electrical services company or electrician will also be able to advice if all lighting and exit signs are up to date with current legislation and are adequate for the purpose intended.

Who is a Responsible Person?
This is a designated member of staff in a company who can quickly and easily perform monthly checks and record information in a log book. They also need to be punctual with there tests each month and report any faults immediately to the chosen company who manage your emergency lighting system.

Why is it so Important?
Maintaining your emergency lighting and arranging regular testing in your company, ensures your emergency lighting remains fully functional during an emergency where a electrical failure may occur, lights up exit routes and signs for the specified duration.

We maintain emergency lighting for a number of commercial clients in London as well as charities, landlord's properties, rail depots, shops, restaurants & bars. Our aim with this blog post is to make businesses aware of how important it is to maintain there emergency lighting. It plays such an important role for people entering your premises who are unaware of the layout during an emergency; it really could be a lifesaver!

The Benefits of A Pre-purchase Electrical Survey Part 2

2010-09-14T12:50:00.029+01:00

Our last blog was about the benefits of having a Pre-purchase Electrical Survey before making an offer on a new home to avoid any nasty financial surprises along the way.

We were recently contacted to carry out an Electrical Survey on a 4 bedroom house in Lewisham that a customer was interested in buying. Our electrician Fred was the chosen one for this assignment and so off he went with his test equipment in tow!

Fred's findings on this property were as follows……

Fault Identified No. 1
There were light fittings not adequately fixed, they were hanging by the wires that were connected to them.

Why is this a fault?
These light fittings are not very safe as they could fall at any time and there is also a risk of a fire starting should there be a fault with one of the fittings.

Fault Identified No. 2
The sockets in this property had been screwed to the skirting board with no backs on them so live conductors were exposed.

Why is this a fault?
Should any of the sockets start arcing due to a loose connection then it could ignite the timber skirting boards which in turn could start a severe fire.

Fault Identified No. 3
This property didn't have equipotential bonding to the gas or water services.

Why is this a fault?
In the event that the live conductor should touch the gas or water pipes within the house, they could become live which in turn could electrocute any person touching any pipe work within the property.

Fault Identified No. 4
The upstairs power circuits had been extended in 3 core flexible cable which was too small for the fuse size that was protecting it.

Why is this a fault?
In the event of an electrical fault, the fuse may not blow which therefore could cause a fire.

Fault Identified No. 5
There was no RCD protection to any socket outlets where portable appliances for the garden may get plugged into.

Why is this a fault?
Any person using portable appliances in the garden would be at risk of an electric shock. This could happen by a person accidentally cutting through the supply flex of the appliance as there trimming a hedge for example or even if a lawnmower has a fault when a person is using it.

Fault Identified No. 6
The consumer unit in the property is not up to the latest electrical standards

Why is this a fault?
New consumer units are fitted with RCD devices so to provide extra protection against electric shock should any faults or accidents occur.

What Do These Faults Mean?
Two of the above items are classed as serious problems and lead to a failed inspection on the property which if not rectified could affect any insurance cover on the property.

The Outcome of This Survey
From our customer having this survey we were able to make them aware of all of the above which they would not have discovered with two viewings prior to making an offer. From that we then were able to give them an estimate to rectify the problems above, advise on which ones were serious problems and would need attention immediately. Our customer could then see what needed to be paid for straight away and what costs were involved for the future. They were then in the position to go back to the vendor with an offer which took into account the works that would need to be done to the property.

At the time that this blog was published we were unaware if our customers offer has been accepted by the vendor but whether it does or not, the vendor is now aware of the faults also.

The cost of this electrical survey was money well spent for this particular customer as it gave them a better insight into the electrics of the property before making any commitments.

We are not saying that every property out there has an underlying problem with its electrics but surely it would be best to know exactly what your buying and if financially you need to plan for works ahead? You wouldn't purchase a car without a MOT so why purchase the most expensive item your own without knowing exactly what your paying for?
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Thinking of Moving House? - The Benefits Of A Pre-Purchase Electrical Survey

2010-08-05T13:44:00.021+01:00

Apparently July saw a rise in the property market but I wonder what percentage of these buyers have or are going to ask an Electrician to carry out a Pre-purchase Electrical Survey on the property before making an offer?

Now I know moving is an expensive time as it is what with your Solicitors and Estate Agent fees, then you have to pay for a Building Survey, and then you have all the other costs involved with moving house, so your probably thinking something like a Pre-purchase Electrical Survey is an expense you could do without. However, imagine your in your new home a few months later, the boxes are unpacked and your past that stressful period, then just as things start to resemble some normality, you have an electrical fault which then leads to you calling out an electrician to find out what the problem is. The Electrician arrives which in turn leads to him telling you that the wiring for example, is in a terrible condition and more work is required than just the initial problem. The benefit with having a Pre-purchase Electrical Survey done is it will show the condition of the electrical wiring of a property and check the safety of the electrical installation before you comit yourself to a property.

When we buy a property, we never really know what we are going to find as we transform it into our home, walls could be in a terrible condition once you remove the wallpaper, which means you have to have all the walls re-plastered, which was like the house I purchased 2 years ago with my partner which of course we didn't budget for! Now I appreciate that no survey would show up those types of problems but the Building Survey did make us aware of some other things that needed considering, as did the Pre-purchase Electrical Survey we had done. The survey bought to our attention that some areas of the electrics in the house needed modernisation, for example, our kitchen, lounge and dining room power all fed off of one circuit. Now the demands of kitchens these days what with a washing machine, fridge freezer, tumble dryer, dishwasher, microwave, coffee machine and endless amounts of other kitchen appliances we had, it was heading for a fuse overload unless we changed the current electrical set up. Now the two viewings we had would not have made us aware of this, as everything looked fine on the surface and even thought this problem was something that could be easily rectified, the survey helped to highlight the problem to us and made us aware of the costs before deciding on the property.

The things that showed up from us having a Building and a Pre-purchase Electrical Survey did not put us off buying this particular house, the point is we went into this house knowing what to expect and what costs were involved going forward, well minus the wall problems! The survey gave us the opportunity to get a better insight into the electrical condition of our future home and therefore a decision was based on if we wanted and could afford the property or not from the findings.

If you really don't think you have anything to worry about with a property you are considering then why not consider having a Visual Electrical Inspection which gives you a reasonable insight on the condition of the electrical system in a property. The report will highlight anything that may need replacing, if any, in the future which at least gives you some peace of mind.

Whenever a customer calls us at Fulcher Edwards to find out if they should have a electrical survey on a property they are interested in, we always advise them to have one or a visual inspection as it provides you with useful information before making that offer. Its important to remember that just because something is working, it doesn't necessarily mean there are no underlining problems and it is operating safely.

If you are considering looking for a new home anytime soon then don't forget to budget for an Pre-purchase Electrical Survey as it could save you money in the long run. Just make sure that the electrician you use is registered with a Government-approved organisations like NICEIC, as registered Electricians will work to current British Standards which will lead to a job well done, because lets be honest your going to be under enough stress already!

Happy moving!

Light Up Your Garden

2010-07-19T15:21:00.019+01:00

Believe it not, it would seem that we are actually having a Summer this year so if your lucky to have one, your no doubt making the most of your garden at the moment with plenty of BBQ's with family and friends that probably continue late into the evening. This time of year your garden is an extension of your home so why not take the time to decorate it like you would your lounge or kitchen? By this we mean with lights and not just by having one to light up the garden to help you see, but by using them it to make a feature of your garden.

There are different types of lighting designs available that would enhance any type of garden whatever size it may be. Just by adding lighting to your walls, trees, shrubs, patio, decking, steps, pond or summerhouse will instantly bring your garden to life.

There are many types of styles and effects you can choose from for your front or rear garden, ranging from traditional, contemporary to eco-friendly and you don't necessarily need to light every area of your garden or spend a fortune to create a great effect.

Below are the different type of effects available to add that wow factor to your garden:

Uplighting
This is when lighting is placed at ground level by placing a light at the base of a tree, shrub or garden building which creates dramatic effects by giving depth and contour.

Water Lighting
This is when lighting is placed in or around a water feature such as a pond. Water is great for acting as a natural mirror and adding beautiful reflections.

Downlighting
This works well when it is used to focus on a particular feature or plant as it can produce some wonderful shadows. This type of effect can also double up as a security feature too if used on a doorway of a building.

Shadowing
This effect can be achieved when placing light in front of a particular object like a statue where it will illuminate it. This works even better if there is a wall or building nearby.

Step/Path Lighting
This type of lighting is usually at low level and helps make the area safe and creates an interest as to where does a particular path or step lead to.

Cross Lighting
This is when lighting hits a particular object from both sides, which adds a softness to the lighting. This works well on benches.

Washing
This type of lighting creates a soft glow effect by placing light at the base of a wall or hedge so that it washes over the surface of them.

Moonlighting
This type of lighting is very effective and provides a romantic feel. This is done by placing and positioning a light in a tree for instance, where the light will be broken up, which then creates a dappled effect on the ground.

Most people think that only landscape gardeners can carry out these type of works, however some electrical services companies do have there own design team who can discuss your ideas, order suitable lights and install them for you and your still gain the same results. However if you would prefer to use a landscape gardening company, its worth checking with your electricians before searching, as they may work closely with a some already. By doing this you not only get a recommendation but the electrical works will be carried out by a company you already know and trust.

Deck lights, rope lights, sensor lights, LED and even security lights are just some of the many different lights on offer to you that can be used, so why not think about updating your garden and adding that wow factor while the summer season is upon us and enjoy it for many more years to come!

Electrical Safety Advice For Your Holiday!

2010-07-01T14:44:00.021+01:00

It's that time of year when we all look forward to jet setting off to a hot destination for some well deserved chill out time with friends or family. Even though your escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life, electrical safety is something you need to stay very much on the ball with even whilst abroad. Some countries do not have the same safety regulations as we do in the UK so some vital checks should really be part of your holiday routine to keep you safe.

The Electrical Safety Council recommend a few vital checks when travelling abroad and how to keep safe when it comes to electrical appliances.

Your hotel room - check that:
•there are no bare wires that can be touched where electrical accessories have been removed or damaged
•sockets and light switches are not damaged or have their covers missing
•light bulbs are properly inserted into all light fittings and are not broken or cracked
•there are no trailing extension leads or overloaded sockets and never ignore the warning signs of burning smells, sounds of arcing (buzzing and crackling), fuses blowing or scorch marks on plugs and sockets

Bathrooms - check that:
•electrical accessories cannot be touched whilst in the bath or shower

By the pool - check that:
•electrical appliances are kept away from the water

On camp sites - check that:
•there is Residual Current Device (RCD) protection or a similar device that will cut off the supply if there is an electrical problem
•flexible cables are positioned appropriately to prevent them being damaged
•electrical appliances are stored in a dry place

Keeping yourself & your family safe is not difficult if you follow a few simple rules:

1.Never touch electrical equipment with wet hands.
2.Never touch light switches if they are cracked or show signs of damage.
3.Never plug equipment into a socket which looks damaged/cracked or has part or all of the cover missing.
4.Never use mains powered electrical appliances in a bathroom.
5.Always check that cables are securely attached to electrical equipment and are not cut, nicked or damaged in anyway. There should be no joints in the cable and certainly no repairs with insulating tape. Cables should also be checked for signs of overheating, such as discoloration.
6.Always check that the travel adaptor you are using is the correct type for the country in which you are travelling and never force it into a socket if it does not easily fit.

Wherever you are on holiday, no-one should have to compromise their safety so always report any electrical dangers to the person responsible. This could be your hotel rep, tour operator or the hotel manager. If the danger is not removed immediately, insist on being moved.

These types of checks will put your mind at rest so you can really enjoy your break. Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday!

Fire Safety In The Home - Electrical Appliances

2010-06-11T12:33:00.009+01:00

I think most people would agree that we take electricity for granted and forget the damage it can cause if not treated with care. Electricity can kill, can give you an electric shock and it can also cause a fire.

Below are some guidance notes on electrical appliance safety that every homeowner should follow to help protect there family and home from a fire:

1) Check your sockets on a regular basis to see if they feel hot and if there are any burn marks. A registered electrician can check for you to see if they need repairing or replacing.

2) Regularly check the flexible cables on all your appliances for damage, such as fraying and general wear and tear. Then check to see that the cable is fastened securely to the plug. If any appliances show any sign of the above then stop using them until they are repaired. Checks should always be carried out before you plug any appliance into a socket.

3) Do you know how old your wiring is? Electrical installations should be checked at least every 10 years in a house and when you move into a new home. Look at it as an MOT for your home the same reason you have your car checked. If you live in rented accommodation, the electrical installation and appliances provided are the landlord’s responsibility. You have the right to ask to see a copy of the certificate or report confirming that the installation meets the UK national standard BS 7671 so you know how safe they are.

4) Check the current rating of an electrical adaptor before you plug appliances into one. Always make sure that the total current used by the appliances are not more than the adaptor’s rating.

5) Turn off any electrical appliances like TVs, computers and hairdryers that you are not using, especially at night as this is when a fire can spread quickly and cause more damage. This also helps you save energy and will help reduce your electricity bill.

6) Always take care when using hand-held electrical appliances and switch them off and unplug them when you have finished using them. This is particularly important if you have items that can get very hot like hair straighteners, hairdryers and curling tongs which, if left on can easily cause a fire by being in contact with any flammable material that they are in contact with.

Things You Shouldn't Do!

1) Don’t use a bulb with a higher wattage than the one printed on the light fitting or lamp shade you are using.

2) Never cover the air vents on fan heaters or storage heaters.

3) Don't overload electrical adaptors by plugging too many appliances in to one socket especially appliances like kettles, heaters and irons as they have a high electrical current. A registered electrician can install extra sockets for you which would be much safer.

4) Never let flexible cables trail under rugs or carpets.

5) Do not dry clothes on electric heaters or place it near curtains or furniture.

Get A Smoke Alarm!

If a fire starts in your home, a smoke alarm will give you the valuable time you need to escape. Its important to check yours regularly as someone is twice as likely to die in a house fire if your smoke alarm does not work. Speak to your local Fire Brigade as they may be able to install one for you free of charge as part of there free home fire risk check.

Remember that elecricity can kill, so you should always follow advice on electrical safety as it could save your life!

Have you got an RCD? If not why not!

2010-06-01T14:41:00.013+01:00

A recent survey showed that many people confuse RCD's with circuit breakers, however an RCD offers a lot more protection and can even save your life!

What does an RCD do exactly?

RCD is an abbreviation for residual current device. Should danger arise when using electrical equipment, such as a toaster or a lawn mower, this little device turns the electricity off so that no harm comes to the person using it, such as an electric shock.

Is home really the safest place?

1 in 8 of us are still getting electric shocks in the home and every week someone dies of an electrical accident in the home. Now we all know that electricity kills but we all seem to think that our homes are the exception and that things like an electric shock wont happen to us, but we face electrical dangers everyday unless we protect ourselves correctly. An RCD can protect our family from electrical fires and electric shocks in the home.

What RCD option is best for me?

There are two different types of RCD's that can be installed into your home:

RCD on your fuse box:
A registered electrician or electrical services company like Fulcher Edwards can install a new fuse box for you with RCD's fitted. This option provides you with the highest level of protection as it covers all wiring, sockets and appliances on the circuit.

Plug-in RCD:
This can be plugged into any socket in your home or garden and will protect you should there be a problem with the particular appliance you are using and have used the RCD plug-in device at the time.

Fulcher Edwards would always advise our customers on having an RCD on your fuse box as the level of protection is so much higher than the plug-in RCD as its unlikely you will use these for every appliance in your home. This option would not protect your family all of the time unlike the fuse box option.

To make people more aware of the importance of having an RCD fitted in your home the Electrical Safety Council have launched a campaign called Plug into Safety. Their website in general offers lots of advice on how to make your home safe so we would definitely recommend a read when you have some time.

An RCD can save a life so surely this little device is worth a consideration in your home?

The Glamorous Platforms

2010-05-18T15:10:00.000+01:00

FE was very lucky to be involved for the second year running with the Absolute Return for Kids charity (ARK) annual gala dinner at the old Eurostar Terminal in Waterloo. Now of course being based in the terminal and basically knowing it inside out especially from an electrical point of view, we would always be involved to a certain extent but to see the platforms transform into a spectacular event really was nice to see. FE has had their offices in this terminal for some 15 years and this place has seen many changes over that time and Eurostar leaving the terminal was a sad day and took the life out of the building, so to have so many people in this building again was great to see.

Now of course events like this do not happen overnight (rumour has it £10k per ticket!), they are planned months and months in advance and it wasn't much different with our role. There was a lot of testing to be done as well as energising and livening up in the vast area that is this terminal. Plus it was not just the platforms that were used for the event but the old departures concourse was where guests like Naomi Campbell and Eva Herzigova arrived, the departures lounge area was the walkway where guests made their way up to the platforms for the dinner and auction. The rest of the departures area was used for 'backstage' purposes so all the old shops like WHSmith were transformed into dressing rooms and refreshment spots for all the staff hired for the evening. The Killers & Groove Armada had their own private area in the old Business Lounge.

On the lead up to the event it really was all hands on deck as we worked alongside the events electricians and assisting with their needs, even when The Killers required 110 transformers from our store room so that they could perform at their rehearsal. We were even helping out The Old Vic theatre the day of the ARK event with their production of Ditch in the tunnels under Waterloo as they too were using a small part of the terminal as a backstage spot for their performers. Mr Arpad Busson was even seen wondering about the terminal making sure everything was going to plan.

At one point it was hard to imagine the event was going to happen as there was so much still to be done but these event companies are pros and know exactly what they were doing, especially as it was their second year at the terminal. 6pm came and a few of us went up to the platforms to see the final result before the guests arrived and security got even tighter which we soon realised was because the beautiful Queen Rania of Jordan was the special guest of the evening.

Steve and Fred were our two electricians on standby on the night, they were here until long after the event finished which didn't see the last guest leave until the very late hours of the morning. When everyone had left, works started straight away to start clearing the terminal. Our electricians job at this point was to bring up the front and back of house lighting so that this was possible for the events company.

A week on and the terminal is still being stripped out with anything that was to do with the ARK event and each day it gets closer to its old self. The good news though is The Railway Children production starts soon so there will still be lots of activity going on here but just of a different kind.

We think events like this are a great way of using a disused terminal, what do you think?

Safety of Portable Appliances Provided by Landlords

2010-05-06T15:14:00.000+01:00

If you are a landlord then generally you will supply your tenants with appliances such as fridges, washing machines and electric kettles as part of the tenancy agreement. As I'm sure you are aware The Landlord and Tenancy Act 1985, you are required to ensure that these appliances are safe for continued use.

The Electrical Safety Council recommends that such appliances are tested either by a business competent in PAT or an electrician that is registered with an industry recognised accreditation like NICEIC. This should be at the start of each tenancy and at regular intervals during any long term tenancy.

The checks that need to be carried out will include an inspection to ensure the following;

1) connections inside a plug are correct and secure
2) the fuse inside a plug is of the correct rating
3) no bare wires are visible other than at the terminals inside the plug and appliance
4) There is no sign of internal damage, overheating or entry of liquid, dust or dirt

The competent person carrying out the testing for you will use a portable appliance test instrument to check the electrical condition of the appliances you have and supply you will a portable appliance safety certificate when testing is complete and all items are agreed safe. In some cases you will also be issued an asset register on each of the items tested for your records.

With most fatalities in the home by electric shock being caused by appliances, faulty plugs and leads, I'm sure you agree the importance of such testing. In fact whether your a landlord or not shouldn't we all be thinking about having such testing at work and at our homes on a regular basis considering we all use these type of appliances in our everyday life? Just think how often do you put the kettle on to make you and your colleague a cuppa in the office or you and your family use the hair dryer or toaster at home?

Have you had PAT in the your office or at home?

Have you heard of Part P?

2010-04-30T15:42:00.000+01:00

Most of us don't mind doing the odd bit of DIY in our homes when its required, some people actually enjoy it, but the majority of us only do it ourselves to save some money. We would actually prefer to be in the garden, out and about with the family or sprawled across the sofa in our free time but its all part of maintaining our bricks and mortar and not spending unnecessarily. However most homeowners are unaware that electrical work carried out in the home needs to meet the requirements of Part P of the Building Regulations to make it safe and legal.

During the recession last year, the NICEIC carried out a poll of over 3000 consumers across the UK's biggest towns and cities, which showed that more people are carrying out electrical work in their home rather than employing a qualified electrician;

35% would attempt to rewire a socket

29% would add a new light switch

28% would install garden lighting

What many of these people fail to realise is that attempting to do their own DIY electrics, they could be putting their families life's at risk and could possibly face problems when it comes to selling their homes without the right electrical certificates.The biggest concern in the electrical industry, is the fact that Part P was enforced over 5 years ago by the Government, yet only 22% of UK consumers have actually heard of it.

The Law which was brought in to protect homeowners in England and Wales, aims to improve the electrical safety in the home to prevent the number of accidents caused by faulty electrical work. Under the Law, homeowners who choose to do their own electrical work must notify their local Building Control Office before beginning any work, after which they will receive an electrical safety certificate if confirmed as safe. The Law requires an electrician to be used that is registered with a Government approved scheme, such as NICEIC to carry out most electrical work in the home, and once the work is finished, provide you with a Part P approval.

The NICEIC and Linda Barker have a campaign called "Don't take the P out of your home" to help make consumers more aware of Part P and why its importance for people not to be casual with electrics in the home.

Finally, how do you know if an electrician is Part P approved? Most companies these days have a website like Fulcher Edwards Ltd, that has a section about their accreditation's and an explanation about what each one means. If you see an NICEIC Domestic Installer logo like the one in this blog then it means that particular electrical services company or electrician is Part P approved. Should you wish to double check that its not a "bogus" logo then consumers can check on the NICEIC's website if that particular company is registered with them or not.

Was you aware of the Part P Building Regulations?

FE's First Blog!

2010-04-23T14:58:00.000+01:00

Things have been pretty hectic here at Fulcher Edwards this week, which is crazy really, what with most of the UK being stuck abroad due to the our airspace being closed for most of the week but hey we're not complaining at all, the busier the better! However it did delay FE's first blog so apologises for that.

Now I wont lie, FE is new to the whole blogging thing so we had a good hard think about the things we would want to 'blog' about. Finally we decided that as much as we will give you an insight to our company, tell you all our gossip and the type of work we are carrying out at the time, we also feel it is our responsibility to help people understand the importance of electrical safety but without feeling like we are preaching! We are very passionate about what we do and really do our best to give as much advice and information as we can to our customers and help them understand why it is essential to only ever use qualified electricians and not any Joe Blogs to carry out any electrical work for them, however small the job is.

Hopefully in time our blog will be helpful to people looking for electrical safety information, whether they wish to use our services or just to understand "sparky lingo", and maybe our industry friends will find our information helpful too, pass it on and help spread the word. Our industry on the whole does feel the same concerns for electrical safety, as homes and businesses can sometimes be blahsay about it and end up using non-qualified electricians just to save some money. This in turn can cause further problems and of course the most important thing is, it can put peoples life's at risk. I think its also very easy for homeowners to become very complaisant with their electrical surroundings and forget how dangerous electricity can in fact be, so hopefully we can help make you more aware of those dangers.

Now it is a Friday afternoon and looking to be a glorious weekend yet again, so our first blog was just a taster really of what our company is about and was really just to introduce Fulcher Edwards to the blogging community and hope we are accepted with open arms!

Have a good weekend!

FE

Welcome to the Fulcher Edwards Blog

2010-04-20T10:31:00.000+01:00

Hello and welcome to the Fulcher Edwards blog