Prime Minister addresses Sub Standard Cable

The availability of sub standard cable on the market is not anything new, the issue has been around for a fair number of years and it is a growing problem within the electrical industry. Sub standard cable is the result of importing cheap cable and unfortunately it is very hard to detect sub standard cable. It is a similar issue to the electrical appliance market which has seen record numbers of dangerous appliances being sold on the High Street. The products are copies of the genuine product – from the outside they look the same as the real thing and often its only when the product is used when the buyer realises it is sub standard.

Cable is much the same, from the outside it looks the same. Its only when a closer look is taken that a problem is found. Sub standard cable is a recognised problem across the whole industry with local authorities being heavily involved in detecting the sale of sub standard cable. Many cable suppliers have unwittingly purchased sub standard cable which in turn has been distributed to wholesalers and brought and subsequently used by installers. Many electrical installers have been caught out believing they have purchased a reputable and good quality brand of cable, to find it is not genuine.

So where does the problem start? It seems to be part of the manufacturing process in factories abroad where not all cable is not made to the correct specifications, such a situation is hard to monitor and all suppliers which purchase their cable from such sources are at risk of sub standard cable. There have been calls to regulate the import of sub standard cable.

In a move to promote UK manufacturing, the Prime Minister paid a visit to Prysmian cables where he opened a £2M high voltage testing laboratory. This facility tests extra high voltage power transmission cable at 1 million volts. The laboratory will be a central resource for Prysmian worldwide operations which hopefully will go some way to tackling this major problem.

Sub standard cable is close to the hearts of everyone who works in the electrical industry and the Prime Minister has pledged support to tackle this huge problem saying that he recognises the problem with sub standard cable and will investigate at European level to see what can be done.

We welcome this move at Fulcher Edwards. As one of Londons biggest electrical contractors we are very aware of the problem of sub standard cable and would welcome a move to stamp out this problem. Bringing UK manufacturing back into the limelight and the government showing increasing support for UK manufacturing is a great thing. With more companies now bringing their manufacturing operations back to the UK (many of these are electrical related) we at Fulcher Edwards hope that cable will be one of them so we can buy once again with confidence.

In turn this will ensure the safety of those who put their trust in us – and their family and friends.

Electrician to Director in 1 day

Have you ever fancied a role reversal at work, perhaps you fancy spending a day as the director?

This is exactly what happened at Pendennis shipyard in Cornwall when several apprentices were given a chance to run the company for 1 day whilst the 4 directors undertook their apprenticeship roles.

The directors undertook several tasks during the day including undertaking an engine realignment and other work within the fabrication, surface finishing and electrical teams.

One of the apprentices is a 4th year electrician. Spending a day becoming involved in the key decisions within the company allowed him to gain a valuable insight into the pressures and consequences of running a company.

Similarly, spending a day learning a valuable trade gave the directors experience of the challenges faced when actually carrying out the work. The day allowed the directors to expand on their skills and to see the changes that have happened in the industry since the days of their own apprenticeships. The senior staff members of Pendennis shipyard have all been through an apprenticeship themselves so were all keen to put their skills to the test once more.

At Fulcher Edwards, we think experiences such as these are a great way to grow a more productive workforce and one which understands each others responsibilities and demands. It is seen all too often when a disenchanted workforce see the directors as the ones who sit in their offices doing nothing whilst the rest of the workforce undertakes the work. It is always beneficial for all members of the workforce to experience other jobs thereby putting their thoughts into perspective.

Next week (11-15th March 2013) is National Apprenticeship Week which sees a celebration of the valuable contribution apprentices make to the workforce and how beneficial they are to the economy and their own future. Having been electrician apprentices ourselves we think the National Apprenticeship Week is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements and benefits that apprenticeships being both to the workplace and the individual.

An apprenticeship also proves testament to the hard work that is undertaken in order to learn a trade and gain much needed experience and expertise. Experience and expertise are two values that we are very proud of here at Fulcher Edwards and we firmly believe that anyone who carries out electrical work should hold these values at the forefront of what they do.

Experience and expertise have allowed us to provide a high standard of electrical services, fire alarm and emergency lighting maintenance to domestic, commercial, industrial and property management clients for the last 30 years throughout most of London and areas within the M25.

It would be an interesting experience having a role reversal day here at Fulcher Edwards. If we ever do one, we will be sure to post our experiences here on our blog!

Here at Fulcher Edwards, we're looking forward to the National Apprenticeship Week – it looks like its going to be pretty action packed!

The Dangers of DIY Electrical Work

DIY Electrical work again hits the headlines this week as the results of an electrical survey carried out by the NICEIC were published.

DIY electrical work is on the increase as more households seek to save money and in many cases the householder is simply trying to 'make do and mend' by attempting to fix a problem with their home electrical system. However there are also increasing numbers of householders who knowingly carry out quite extensive DIY electrical projects in their home without realising they are putting their family and home at risk.

The statistics of deaths and injuries in the UK arising from unsafe home electrics are scary. Every year in the UK there are 12,500 house fires, 750 serious injuries and 10 deaths. At Fulcher Edwards London electricians we are often called to homes where unsafe electrical work has been carried out and the remedial work that is often required to put the job right is more expensive than if they had called us out to the job in the first place. We also hear of people who think it is normal to get an electric shock now and then in their homes. It all very frightening as the results of the survey reveal that 63% of British householders are happy to have a go at repairing home electrics rather than employ a qualified electrician.

When asked what type of work they would carry out in their home, 28% would go so far as to install new garden lighting. This is worrying as particular care has to be taken when installing garden lighting as the installation will be subjected to damp and wet conditions. 3 in 10 (29%) people would add a new light switch and 35% would change a socket.

Furthermore the survey reveals that billions of pounds of home improvements are carried out every year which break planning and building restrictions. When asked about Part P, many don't realise that the work they are carrying out requires Part P certification and the absence of a Part P certificate could cause problems in the future should they wish to sell their home. Most importantly, a Part P certificate also means the electrical installation has been tested to ensure it is 100% safe and no dangerous faults are present as well as carry a warranty.

It goes without saying that without a Part P certificate, the condition of the electrical installation is unknown. An alternative to using a qualified electrician is to have your electrical work inspected by the planning and building department at your local authority who will issue a Part P certificate if the works are satisfactory. This is a great alternative if you are very confident about the standard of your electrical work. However it is far more expensive to use this method if the work does not pass.

At Fulcher Edwards, the safety of our many customers across London is of paramount importance. Of course we appreciate that the unexpected cost of calling upon the services of a qualified electrician can seem like the expensive option, however the peace of mind that your home is safe and there are no further damage or problems is money well spent.

Should Electrical Installation Condition Reports become Compulsory?

This week has seen a request made from a retired landlord in Liverpool to the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) asking them to lobby governmental ministers to make electrical safety inspections and certificates mandatory.

Currently, it is only a recommendation that landlords carry out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every 5 years or change of occupancy, whichever is the sooner. However, a landlord has to prove how they ensured the electrical safety of their tenant should an electrical incident take place on the property. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 states that a landlord is responsible “to keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling house for the supply of water, gas and electricity......”

All reputable landlords have an EICR carried out at their properties. It is the only documented proof that they have done everything possible to ensure their tenants safety and well being. However, as always, it is a minority of landlords that don't follow the recommendations. The majority of landlords take their business and reputation seriously and therefore view the safety of their tenants of being of paramount importance.

At Fulcher Edwards, we work with many landlords in London ensuring that electrical testing is carried with the minimum of disruption and we offer special rates for 2 or more properties that require electrical testing.

In 2012, the Electrical Safety Council wanted to see EICR reports being considered as important as Gas Safety Regulations saying that the current electrical 'voluntary' system isn't working. The Liverpool Echo receives reports on a regular basis of tenants receiving severe injuries because of defective or poorly fitted electrical fittings and appliances. On course these exact issues are also reported in London and we at Fulcher Edwards agree that this problem needs to be addressed.

Retired landlord, Richard Globe wants to see landlords, including landlords of student accommodation being made to carry out yearly checks and inspections of all supplied electrical appliances, fittings and wiring conditions. This could see landlords having an EICR report carried out as often as every 6 months.

At Fulcher Edwards, we would welcome a move to make electrical certificates a legal requirement on par with Gas Safety Regulations and a clamp down on those few landlords who repeatedly refuse to not comply with regulations and who show little or no regard to the electrical safety of their tenants.

Green Deal – What part does an electrician play?

The launch of the Green Deal yesterday (28th January 2013) was met with much interest from anyone involved with the construction industry. The Green Deal is the long awaited coalition government plan to make Britain’s homes and businesses more energy efficient.

Currently, households in Britain are amongst the least energy efficient in the world, and the plan is to give everyone the opportunity to make their homes warm, more energy efficient and to save money on their energy bills.

Householders who are interested in Green Deal will book an initial Green Deal Assessment to determine where savings can be made and how to make their home more energy efficient. A plan will be drawn up to include the cost of the installations, and if the householder goes ahead, they will sign a Green Deal Contract.

All installations will be carried out by Green Deal Approved Installers so householders will have peace of mind that the work will be carried out to the required standards.

So what kind of work would an electrician be carrying out in your home as part of the Green Deal?

Well, as far as electricians are concerned, there is no huge change. At Fulcher Edwards we advice people on a daily basis how to make their homes more energy efficient and one of the main aspects of our work is installing energy saving efficient products and renewables. We would not consider our job complete if we were not saving our customers money once their new electrical installation was in place.

At the moment, energy efficiency is hot news, all the homes and businesses we serve in and around London are rightfully interested in saving money and installing the latest products, however we thought we should point out some main reactions to Green Deal that have hit the headlines this morning. Whilst of course the final decision rests with the householder, we believe that the decision should be made based on knowledge and not solely on what Green Deal is saying.

* Look out for 'hidden fees' Green Deal is not a free scheme. You may be required to pay up to £150 for your initial energy assessment. Most electricians do not charge for quotations which naturally include free advice on what the best electrical solution for your home would be.

* If you decide to go ahead with a Green Deal loan, the interest rate will be set at around 7% with possible set up fees and annual operating charges on top of that. The final cost should be less than the savings you will make by having the work carried out, however this is not guaranteed.

* The Green Deal loan will be attached to your property and as yet there is uncertainty as to whether this will affect the future saleability of the property. If you move, the responsibility for repaying the loan rests with the new buyer.

Whether you decide to use the Green Deal scheme or decide on more flexible funding options, you can be sure that the advice and service you receive from Fulcher Edwards London electricians will be of the highest standard.

Does more need to be done about product recalls?

Reading the news today, we see yet another 'near miss' with regards to a dangerous electrical appliance going up in flames. The product concerned was a Beko fridge freezer that set itself alight whilst the family slept upstairs. The fridge freezer model was included as part of a product recall where serious safety concerns had been expressed by experts with the products thermostat and the company at the time of the recall had offered offered free repairs to affected models.

Luckily the family escaped from their home unharmed, but the electrical fire has caused serious damage to their home. It was only spotted after hissing was heard coming from the kitchen and upon investigation the fire was found. We dread to think what would have happened if the family has not been alerted by this hissing and had slept through.

So why hadn't the family been informed?

Simply because they moved home and the letter from Beko was sent to their old address. Now, this might seem on the face of it that Beko had done their job and it was unfortunate they never received the letter but at Fulcher Edwards we think more should be done. In 2011 alone, London Fire Brigade reported that Beko fridge freezers had caused 20 house fires and 1 death in London.

Clearly, this family are not the only ones not to be aware of the potentially life threatening fault on their fridge freezer. Furthermore, we wonder how many other electrical appliances are being used across London that are potentially dangerous to their user.

Product recalls are often problematic and can range from anything from cars to everyday foods brought in the supermarket. We admit that we very rarely check product recalls in supermarkets so our question is, should we be simply relying on paperwork work telling us of serious safety concerns on products we have purchased?

In todays modern world we are contactable by virtually every method – we receive endless spam emails and sales calls, so if these companies can contact us to tell us about their products then we're surprised that companies such as Beko have no other contact details about their customers.

What might be a good solution?

Of course people move house, but people generally keep tabs on their mobile phones and the internet. A text message to advise of the potential safety issue would prompt people to ring a number with a reference. Social media channels such as Twitter and Facebook are a quick way of spreading news as users share and comment on important announcements.

What can I do if I'm worried?

If you have any doubt about the safety of an electrical appliance then do not use it and unplug it immediately. However, before you replace it (especially if its a large item) consult a qualified part p registered electrician to take a look. If you have any concerns about a Beko product or to check to see if they have written to you, you can check the link here

What happens if an electrical fire breaks out in my home?

Electrical fires often starts small and often unnoticed particularly if the fire starts in a socket. This means the fire would be burning inside the wall and by the time it is noticed, it would be capable of causing serious harm to the occupants inside the house.

Electrical fires spread very quickly so it is essential that everyone including pets leave the house and then alert the fire brigade. Don't return to your home until the fire crew tells you it is safe to do so.

If you able to do so, turn off power in your home using the switch located in your consumer unit. Its normally a big red switch that will cut power to everything in your home. We suggest making yourself familiar with this switch should you need to use it in an emergency. Also ensure you know where to find your consumer unit and that you can get to it easily. Lots of people store piles of boxes in front of theirs and it can be a half days work simply removing boxes and other household items out of the way in order to access it!

If you feel able to tackle the fire, only use a CO2 fire extinguisher, never water as you could electrocute yourself.

Before you switch power back on in your home, always ensure a Registered Part P electrician ensures it is safe to do so first.

Why it is more important than ever to use a Part P Registered Electrician

This year sees big changes happening within the electrical industry. A big change that has already happened is to the building regulation Part P. Two major changes have already been announced as of January 2013 due to come into force in April 2013.

The two changes state:

* The range of electrical installation work that is notifiable (where there is a requirement to certify compliance with the Building Regulations) has been reduced.

* An installer who is not a registered competent person may use a registered third party to certify notifiable electrical installation work as an alternative to using a building control body.

The full governmental document can be viewed here

Two things spring to mind when reading these two changes. Firstly electrical safety and secondly Part P Registered Electrician.

In terms of electrical safety, we at Fulcher Edwards believe that the certifying of electrical installations is a very important aspect of our work as London electricians. Currently, having electrical certification on new electrical installations is confirmation that the work has been installed in line with BS7671 and has been tested for safety by a registered Part P electrician or building control body. Most new electrical installations require certification with careful attention needed in special locations – these are rooms containing a bath, shower, sauna heater or swimming pool.

The changes mean that the work that requires certification is being reduced. In a nut shell this means that less electrical work now needs to comply with Building Regulations. This means that its going to leave the door open for unregistered tradespeople to carry out work which could compromise the customers electrical safety. There is always temptation for others to 'have a go' on electrical work and we have lost count of the number of times we have been called out to rectify dangerous and poorly installed electrical work. Whilst we understand the temptation to use one person to complete your whole job, it is not worth putting your family and home at risk.

Moving onto the fact that it is now no longer necessary to use a competent person to carry out electrical work in homes. We are very concerned about the future of electrical safety on this aspect as we have long been informing the public to only used a Registered Part P electrician to carry out electrical work. The rules will be changing and someone who is not a qualified, registered electrician will be able to carry out the electrical work, and then they will need to have the work certified. Previously this would have been done by the building control body but as of April 2013, the certification can be carried out by a Part P Registered electrician. This will be a huge additional expense to the customer as the electrician will need to be satisfied that the work has been carried out at all stages in line with current regulations and then certify the work. We suspect that many installations tested will not comply with current regulations and will fail. The work would then have to rectified and then retested, all at cost to the customer. If the person is not qualified to do the work in the first place, we ask where will they obtain their knowledge from to install electrical work safely and in line with said regulations?

Our advice when you are thinking of having electrical work carried out in your home is to either have it carried out before April 2013 before Part P changes or to do what we've always said, and that is to employ only a Part P registered electrician to carry out the work. It will certainly be the cheapest option and most importantly, will leave you with peace of mind that your home electrics are safe.