Students – how to make sure your student accommodation is electrically safe

With the Summer holidays almost here, there is the growing sense of 'schools out' amongst school leavers and university students. If you are starting university this September or are moving out of halls to live in a student house, it is worth being aware of essential electrical safety information.

Unfortunately here at Fulcher Edwards we have come across more than one university housing landlord that flout their obligations. Like any other tenant, as a student you have the right to live in a safe home that is free of electrical danger.

The problems caused by unsafe electrics

We know all too well that it can be a massive rush to get a student house sorted and location matters when it comes to finding a house. However don't overlook the practicalities. With several students all sharing an average sized house, it is important that the home electrical wiring and installation is up to the job. With practically every student owning a computer and television not to mention gadgets like smartphones, tablets and laptops, imagine the problems caused when everyone uses these all at the same time! The last thing you need is to loose your work through nuisance electrical tripping or worse still receive an electrical injury or even death through unsafe electrics.

As electricians in South East London, we work with many student landlords in and around the area carrying out electrical safety checks and PAT testing on appliances which not only protect the students but also the property itself. Unsafe electrics are a fire risk too.

Don't settle for anything less than a current EICR

Unfortunately we hear stories where student landlords have talked students away from electrical safety deeming it to be not necessary or worse still that their mate has checked the electrics and they're safe. Always make sure you see evidence that the electrics in the property have been checked correctly. The best way is to ask to see an EICR or landlord electrical safety certificate.

An EICR is an Electrical Installation Condition Report that is issued to properties that have satisfactorily passed tests to ensure the wiring and installations such as switches and sockets are safe. An EICR can only be carried out by a qualified and registered electrician and the landlord would arrange for this test to be carried out normally before you move in but certainly within the last 5 years.

Is your landlord supplying appliances?

If your landlord is supplying any electrical appliances, they need to be PAT tested. PAT testing is portable appliance testing carried out by an electrician or PAT tester to check that appliances such as fridge freezers, tumble dryers, toasters, kettles, washing machines, televisions etc are safe to use.

Ask to see a PAT certificate for all appliances supplied by the landlord.

Never place your electrical safety over the looks or house location. Unscrupulous landlords can use these factors to their advantage. Remember electricity does kill 1 person every week and injures 1000's more. Don't leave it to chance.

Check there are enough sockets

Student landlords are famous for squeezing in an extra bedroom where possible and someone will draw the short straw and end up with the box room! However, before you sign a tenancy agreement, make sure the rooms have enough sockets for your needs. The overuse of extension leads is electrically dangerous and whilst a couple of extensions might be ok, it is not electrically safe for everyone in the house to be using them.

If an electrical problem arises

If you have an electrical concern whilst renting the property, inform your landlord as soon as possible. Electrical concerns should be taken seriously and rectified within a few days. Landlords should definitely not be arguing with you that there is not a problem and should certainly act in a professional manner.

Do not take matters into your own hands and attempt to fix electrical problems yourself. Your landlord is there to sort out these problems. If you reported concerns in your property and your landlord is not doing anything about it, then please contact the Local Authority who will take enforcement action against your landlord if necessary.

If you are a student landlord

At Fulcher Edwards we work closely with landlords in all sectors to ensure that their properties are up to rental standard. With the impending mandatory 5 year safety checks and RCD protection recommendations, it is important that you ensure your property meets the latest recommendations. Please contact us for free advice and a quotation and avoid an unlimited fine under the Housing Act 2004.

How do you know your home is safe to live in?

Living in a home than is safe from dangerous hazards such as bad electrics, gas leaks, animal infestations and a leaking roof is a high priority for practically every house holder whether they rent or own their home. We can all recall a time when we have lived in a property which was far from ideal and don't we often wish we had the knowledge to do something about it?

That is the aim of our blog today. Whether you are a home owner or rent your home, it is important to make sure that you are not putting yourself at risk unknowingly. Remember many electrical problems can hide away for many years and can rear their heads very suddenly. Although electrical problems do not go off with spectacular bangs like gas, the results of dangerous electrics can still be deadly. The best term to describe dangerous electrics is a silent killer.

Choose your home carefully

Dangerous electrics can occur in any property – even brand new and idyllic properties. They are not reduced to the confines of dingy flats and back street terraces. As electricians in London, we work with home owners, landlords and letting agents in and around South East London who take electrical safety very seriously.

When finding a property to live in, it is very easy to only look at the aesthetics. We all want modern fittings and clean carpets and that throw open your windows to the fresh air feel in our home, however it is important that all the other bits are in order. Alas, many renters and buyers overlook the safety of gas and electrics preferring the look of their home over their own safety.

Ensure your home has an electrical safety certificate

An electrical safety certificate, its actual name being an EICR – Electrical Installation Condition Report is carried out by a qualified and registered electrician. In a nutshell it consists of an in depth inspection of a property electrical systems and wiring. If the inspection is satisfactory, a certificate will be issued which is proof that the electrics are safe in a property.

If you rent your property

The majority of reputable landlords will have an EICR carried out. Please ensure you see a copy of the EICR certificate before you proceed to sign your rental agreement.

Although having an EICR is not a compulsory requirement, it is looking very likely that it soon will be. A Government report produced by the DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) has stated clear recommendations that all landlords need to have an EICR carried out every 5 years.

If the landlord has not carried out an EICR our recommendation here at Fulcher Edwards is to walk away. Don't compromise the electrical safety of you and your family.

If you own your property or are looking at purchasing a property

If you already own your property, we recommend you have an EICR carried out once every 10 years. This is particularly important if you have had alterations or additions carried out to your electrics or an older wiring system.

If you are thinking of purchasing a property, and it is a new build, you will receive the EICR certificate upon purchase. If you are buying an older property, it may be worth your while having an EICR carried out on the property before purchase to establish what condition the electrics are in at this may affect your offer price. Increasing numbers of mortgage companies now insist on an EICR being carried out as part of their mortgage offer.

Does your home have an RCD?

Another key recommendation within the DCLG report was RCD protection to be installed in all rental homes. Here at Fulcher Edwards, we always say to our clients, that if you do nothing else electrically, install an RCD. RCD's have saved the life of many people in recent years who through error or appliance malfunction would have received a fatal electrical shock.

All homes should have protection against electrical shock. Yes fuses and the fuse box switches will help, but it does not protect you against accidental touching of live cables or an appliances developing a fault that you do not know about.

Always use qualified and registered electricians

To do any of the works we have mentioned in your home, you will need an electrician. As electricians in South East London, we take our credentials seriously. All our domestic electricians are qualified to the latest 17^th edition regulations and we are proudly registered with the NICEIC. Always check your electricians credentials before they begin work.

If you are a landlord concerned about the latest developments pertaining to the DCLG report, please call us. We are more than happy to provide advice on how to bring your properties up to the latest rental standards.

How an Electrical Safety Certificate can save you more than just money

With England now out of the World Cup, the National Grid can now relax after reports of potential power outages were publicised if England were to win the World Cup! Unfortunately luck was not on our side....maybe next time in Euro 2016!

Whilst we're on the subject of power outages, also known as power cuts or 'blackouts', when did you last have the wiring checked in your own property? Power cuts can happen in your own home from faults in your electrics. If you suffer from regular tripping or power cuts whilst your neighbours seem blissfully unaware, it is time to have some electrical testing carried out in your home.

Electrical testing which has an official name of an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) has to be undertaken by a qualified and registered electrician. As electricians in London, we work closely with home owners across South East London and beyond ensuring that an EICR is carried out in accordance to the recommendations.

Why you should have an EICR carried out

All properties whether owned or rented should have an up to date EICR carried out. It is better to have an EICR carried out before any electrical problems become apparent. This way, early detection of electrical problems ensures the cost to put it right will be the lowest possible. Unfortunately many home owners do not inform us of an electrical problem until it becomes a nuisance. By this time the cost to repair the damage caused is far higher.

Most importantly, a satisfactory EICR gives you peace of mind that the wiring and electrical fittings in your home are safe and there are no nasty surprises lurking in the depths waiting to make their appearance!

Would your home pass an EICR?

You might be aware that electrical fires are currently the biggest cause of house fire in the UK. In many cases, they could have been easily prevented. Electrical appliance misuse and dangerous wiring often in hidden spaces such as lofts and inside walls often cause these fires. An EICR would detect potential fire risks and at an average cost of £120k per house fire, save you a lot of money and heartache.

An EICR involves lengthy electrical installation testing in your home to detect electrical problems and also to advice on updates which will protect you and your family from electrical injury or worse. Here are a few basic pointers which will give you a good idea of the electrical safety level in your home:

• Do you have an RCD?

One of the many things we look at when carrying out domestic electrical testing is the fuse board otherwise known as the consumer unit. If you have had a consumer unit upgrade in recent years, chances are you have RCD protection already which is great. Having a working RCD in your home is the best protection you can currently obtain from the dangers of electricity.

• Do you have broken electrical fittings?

Sockets and switches which are broken are dangerous. Even an innocent looking hair line crack in a socket can leave you at risk of electrical shock. Sockets which are discoloured or have a 'shadow' where a plug has been are also a cause for concern.

• Do you carry out DIY electrical work?

Here at Fulcher Edwards we see evidence of DIY electrical work on many properties. DIY electrical work can cause damage to internal wiring systems which can be costly to replace. Over time damaged wiring can become a fire risk and cause further deterioration to the home electrical system.

• Have you had an EICR carried out before?

The current recommendations are for home owners to have an EICR carried out on their property at least once every 10 years. Cables can begin to break down and deteriorate after this time and if you have carried out additions to your electrics during this time then it is important to keep your EICRs up to date.

Increasing numbers of mortgage lenders now insist on an up to date EICR being carried out on a property prior to purchase. Having an up to date EICR certificate will enhance the sale value of your property.

Have an EICR carried out if......

• You are a home owner and haven't had one done in the last 10 years
• Suffer from nuisance tripping, flickering, buzzes or smells from your electrics
• Planning on selling your property
• Have carried out DIY or unregistered electrical work
• Feel something is not right with your electrics but don't know what

An EICR is your only way of knowing how safe your home electrics really are, so don't delay in getting one carried out if you haven't already.

How Fulcher Edwards can help your industrial business

We talk a lot in our posts about how we help house holders with their electrics, but did you know that Fulcher Edwards are also industrial electrical contractors in London? We are just as at home working in industrial areas such as factories, warehouses and car plants as we are working in offices and our clients homes.

Our team of expert and highly experienced industrial electricians work in a variety of industrial areas carrying out electrical maintenance, commissioning and testing of new installations and ensuring the workplace remains not only electrically and fire safe but also safe from a Health and Safety aspect.

What do we do?

You'll normally find one of our industrial electricians busily carrying out testing, repairing or maintenance of machinery. It is one of the core reasons London businesses ask for our services. Fully operational machinery is integral to business success and here at Fulcher Edwards we are committed to keeping operational downtime to an absolute minimum. Of course we will talk to you, our client, in full detail about what to expect whilst we carry out electrical work on your behalf, and to this end we are happy to work at a time that suits you. This includes evenings, weekends and even overnight if required.

Expert advice from London's leading electrical contractors

At Fulcher Edwards, we go much further than simply carrying out industrial electrical work. We work with our clients designing and installing electrical installations that not only save money on energy costs and maintenance but also work to promote employee comfort and essentially Health and Safety. One of the key projects we worked upon recently was in a printing factory replacing the outdated flickering 'tube' lighting. The main requirement during the factory refurbishment project was to find a lighting solution to overcome the outdated florescent tubes which were distorting the movement of machinery. The flickering of the lights made dangerous components of the printing press appear as if they were moving, when in fact they were still. (There were no ghosts involved!!)

The new lighting also produced dramatic energy savings and far improved performance.

How to find a good industrial electrician

We often get asked the question what is the difference between an electrician who works in peoples homes to one that works in office or factory settings. The rough answer is quite a bit! It is very important that when you hire an industrial electrician that they have experience working in an industrial environment. Unfortunately we have seen evidence on industrial jobs of domestic electricians attempting industrial work which they have no experience of. For example, we often come across PAT testing stickers on industrial machinery. PAT testing is for small electrical appliances. Industrial machinery cannot be tested properly using PAT testing equipment.

If you are looking for an industrial electrician in London, always satisfy yourself that they either specialise in industrial electrical work or they have sufficient experience to undertake the work.

Industrial electrical work advice

If you have an industrial electrical project coming up, and you'd like some advice, please do give us a call. We are always happy to discuss your best and most cost effective options.

Electrical Safety Matters – focus on extension leads

Many of us like to think we are electrically safe in our homes, however it can come as a shock to realise that there are many hidden dangers and electrical mistakes that can be easily made that may leave you at risk of electrical shock or injury.

Common electrical mistakes

We see electrical errors being made on a daily basis here at Fulcher Edwards. We carry out electrical work in homes in and around London and the types of electrical dangers we come across range from the downright ridiculous to an easily made mistake.

With electrical fires being the biggest reason for fire brigade call outs, it is important to ensure you have the basics of electrical safety ticked off as being safe in your home.

Overloading of extension leads

The overloading of extension leads is perhaps the most common of all electrical mistakes made at home. Commonly we find that extension leads are unknowingly overloaded by plugging in too many high powered appliances into one extension lead. An example of this is a washing machine. Recently we went to a home where the householder was using an extension lead to power a washing machine. The householder didn't realise it was possible to overload an extension lead and was at serious risk of electrical shock or injury.

This is because the extension lead was rated at less than 10Amps which meant it became overloaded when only the washing machine was plugged into it. Upon further inspection, the plug was fitted with a 13A fuse which we were told had been purchased like that from a well known grocery outlet. This situation is not uncommon. We are all too aware of extension leads being fitted with the incorrect fuse.

Using the extension lead in this way left the householder at serious risk of electrical shock or fire. Luckily neither happened as we were able to advise in time.

There is a simple solution to this problem – the best solution is to have additional sockets fitted. This must be done by a qualified and registered electrician such as an electrician in South East London. We highly recommend that kitchen appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers, kettles and toasters have their own individual socket to avoid overloading extension leads.

Using extension leads safely

• If you do use extension leads, try to keep their use to a minimum. Before using, ensure you know the Amp rating. This should be clearly marked on the back or underside of the extension lead or failing that, the manufacturers instructions.

• Do not exceed the Amp rating. Appliances such as TV's, sky-boxes, games consoles and telephones would not normally exceed the Amp rating, however, do not assume that you can plug any combination of items into an extension lead. Hair-dryers for example, use up to 10Amp of power and should not be plugged in with anything else.

• The safest type of extension lead is a bar adapter. Plug adapters put additional strain on the socket leading to increased risk of overheating and electrical fire.

• Check extension leads regularly for signs of damage and stop using immediately if you suspect overheating or feel something is not right.

Dangerous uses of extension leads we have come across

We have seen very dangerous uses of extension leads in the past including these. If you use extension leads in this way, you are in serious danger of electrical shock.

• Plugging extension leads into other extension leads

This is also known as 'daisy chaining' where householders attempt to obtain more electrical sockets by plugging extension leads into one another. This is extremely dangerous and is likely to lead to an electrical fire or worse. Remember that there is only one plug socket providing the power to the extension lead. Overloading the plug outlet is very dangerous and many house fires are caused by overloading sockets. One of the worst instances of this we have seen is where the householder was using power tools in multiple extension leads when carrying out DIY work in his garage. Luckily, no one was injured!

• Using plugs incorrectly

Another disturbing incident we came across recently was the use of a standard UK plug earth (the top part) being inserted into the top of the plug sockets on the extension lead and non-UK 2 pin plug appliances being used in the socket outlets.

Always use UK appliances in extension leads, or at least use an electrical adapter. We recommend using only UK appliances particularly in extension leads to improve your electrical safety.

Installing additional sockets

As electrical contractors in London, we install additional sockets and provide electrical safety advice to householders across London. We also carry out electrical testing in London for home owners and landlords who suspect electrical problems with any aspect of their property electrical installations.

Should a smoke alarm be a legal requirement in private rented accommodation?

This question formed part of a nationwide YouGov survey carried out for Cheshire fire and rescue service. Unsurprisingly 93% of survey respondents agreed that landlords in the private rental sector should be legally obliged to provide a working smoke alarm in their properties.

1 in 10 households do not have a working smoke alarm

Very successful public awareness campaigns over the past decade to raise the importance of having a working smoke alarm at home, has lead to a 90% uptake on smoke alarms in homes. However, there are still households which either have no alarm at all or do not test their smoke alarms regularly. Households with no means of being alerted to a house fire are 4 times more likely to die as a result of a house fire than households with a working smoke alarm.

Unfortunately, as great the success is, this still leaves a worrying 2.5 million homes without any smoke alarm protection. The research from the survey revealed that the main problem lies in the private rented sector with 1 in 5 private rented homes that do not have a working smoke alarm. This is double the findings of households in the social housing sector.

Get into the habit of testing your smoke alarm

If you do have a smoke alarm, it is important to test it.

One of our favourite campaigns which we play an active part in here at Fulcher Edwards is the social #testittuesday campaign. The idea behind #testittuesday is to raise awareness of the importance of testing your smoke alarm. To be sure a fire alarm is working effectively – whether it is battery or mains powered is to test it regularly. Ideally every week. No matter how long it is since you have tested your smoke alarm it is never too late to start!

Getting into the habit of testing your smoke alarm on a weekly basis could save your life – never depend on a smoke alarm beeping to inform you of a problem! Test it Tuesday is a great initiative to encourage householders to test their smoke alarms on a Tuesday.

Growing pressure on the Government to make working smoke alarms mandatory

In order to address the area where there is the greatest need, the Government have tabled a motion called the 10 minute rule which if approved will result in a working smoke alarm becoming a mandatory requirement in all privately rented properties.

There is wide spread support from this amongst the rental sector with the British Property Federation being in full support of the motion. In addition, the recently introduced Energy Act 2013 contains a clause which would allow for the motion to go ahead.

Smoke alarm costs

Smoke alarms do not have to be high cost. Simple battery powered smoke alarms with a 10 year battery life are very low cost and equate to around £1.50 per year when spread over the life of a battery. It is very low price to pay for a device that could save lives.

Landlords – know your obligations

Here at Fulcher Edwards, we are very active in promoting fire safety and indeed we have our own team of electricians in South East London who specialise in fire safety systems. We work with many landlords across the private rented sector who take the fire safety of their tenants very seriously.

As a landlord, you will be aware that there are different legal requirements between blocks of flats and houses with multiple occupation as against one property with one family living there. As such, it is not only essential that you are meeting the requirements, but the measures taken must also be effective in the event of a fire breaking out in the different property types.

We work with many landlords installing effective fire alarm systems in London that can be as simple or advanced as necessary. We design a system that will be best suit the needs of your rental properties. This can include advice on where best to place smoke alarm detectors along with the installation and maintenance of them to ensure you as a landlord comply with the current British standards.

And if you have a smoke alarm...

Make sure it works by testing it weekly. It is also worth ensuring the vents around the alarm are kept clear of dust and grime. A quick vacuum around it now and again will ensure your smoke alarm is working at its best.

Never remove a smoke alarm once it has been placed and never remove the batteries or obstruct the alarm by covering it with objects or paint.

If you suspect there is a problem with your smoke alarm – it is important to contact your landlord as soon as possible. Remember a fire alarm is there to protect you from the dangers of house fires. A good working smoke alarm should not bother you on a day to day basis, if it does please inform your landlord.

How a commercial electrician in London can help your business

Keeping your employees happy is important if you are hoping for increased productivity and decreased recruitment costs. There are also legal requirements for the correct lighting to be installed in workplaces. It is important that when selecting an electrician to carry out work in the workplace or office that they have experience of carrying out such work.

What kind of work is carried out by commercial electricians?

As industrial and commercial electricians, we have over 30 years experience in carrying out commercial electrical work across London. This work can involve anything from PAT testing of appliances to lighting designs and installs. In fact, effective workplace lighting should never be underestimated. If you are a business owner looking to increase productivity in a big way, you need to be speaking to an electrician with commercial expertise.

When is the right time to replace office lighting?

Lighting in the office is more than just ceiling lights. Office lighting can consist of signage, promotional areas and emergency lighting. In hotels and leisure outlets, decorative lighting can make a difference to reception areas, hall ways, conference rooms and any area where customers can purchase goods. However lighting is far more than stylish features. Here at Fulcher Edwards we pride ourselves on creating and installing outstanding eye catching lighting systems. Lighting is essential for employee loyalty, customer comfort and of course energy efficiency and low cost maintenance.

If you haven't given much thought to workplace lighting in recent years, now is a great time to consult a qualified commercial electrician who can advise, design and install a lighting system which has great functionality and looks the part. Old inefficient lighting systems are costly to run and maintain and commonly lead to eye strain and discomfort amongst employees particularly if they work at computers.

What is the big deal about energy efficiency?

There is a lot of publicity at the moment about energy efficiency. Energy efficiency really does have viable benefits that will see your business achieve real savings – that could be invested elsewhere. Lighting makes up around 20% of the average business energy bill, so it is important that your lighting is not costing more than necessary.

Becoming energy efficient does not mean radical changes need to be made. A simple change over from halogen bulbs to LED for example will see instant savings being made.

Keeping up to date with changing technology and better performance

Many of the businesses we work with here at Fulcher Edwards seek cutting edge technology with performance. We specialise in designing and installing lighting and electrical installations that bring current workplace lighting up to date but which also looks good. To this end we ensure that all lighting we install in workplaces and retail units is adequate for the needs and is better designed for performance.

Of course lighting design and installation is much more than just screwing in bulbs. We work with many retro companies such as restaurants, shops and hotels. We often find during lighting upgrades that larger retro fittings are needed to produce adequate lighting for the building.

Where functional lighting is required such as in offices, it is possible to install fewer up to date light fittings by upgrading from old style florescent lighting.

Whatever lighting is decided upon, the aim is for increased comfort and reduced running costs. In turn, leading to increased productivity and consumer spending.

Using the right commercial electrician

To bring your commercial lighting project to fruition, it is important to find a commercial electrician who has the level of experience needed. In fact finding the right commercial electrician for your project will be key to its success. A commercial electrician needs to be able to make timely and helpful recommendations, work professionally and efficiently so as not to disrupt your business.

If you are looking for a 'one stop shop' for your lighting needs, then you need look no further. Our commercial electricians here at Fulcher Edwards will ensure that your commercial lighting design is completed by established, reliable, commercial electricians who understand the needs of your business.