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» Can wiring be reused after floods?
Also, Electrical installations in loft spaces of thatched buildings
SwitchedOn News for the industry from Electrical Safety First £5.00
Issue 36 Spring 2015
2 Inside
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.ukSwitched On
News 3 From the DG’s desk. Also, Electrical Safety First welcomes a review of the product recall system
4 Electricians’longtermhealthstillatseriousriskfromasbestos
5 Newrequirementtackles‘cableentanglement’deaths
6 Governmentquestionedaboutrisksfromcounterfeitelectricalgoods. Also,Amendment3implementationdates
7 Moresolarpanelbusinessesincourtafterworkersfall
8 Electrical safety in an ageing society
9 TheConstruction(DesignandManagement)Regulations2015
12 ProtectingprivatetenantsinScotland
13 Seeking safety for Welsh tenants
20 Companyprosecutedafterrepeatedfailuretoactledtoanelectricshock
Feature 10 Researchintotheperformanceofwiringafterfloods
Technical 14 Electricalinstallationsinloftspacesofthatchedbuildings
17 Haveyoueverbeenasked..?
18 Safety of electric vehicle charging points
Letters
I’m sure that there are many within the electrical industry who will have strong feelingsaboutsomeoftheissuesraisedin Switched On. So feel free to shout aboutthem.
PleaseemailyourletterstotheEditor of Switched On at: [email protected]
Published by:
Electrical Safety FirstUnit331Metal Box Factory30GreatGuildfordStreetLondonSE10HS
www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.ukwww.twothirtyvolts.org.uk www.switchedonkids.org.uk
T:02034635100 E:[email protected]
Page 18 Page 9
Page 14
3News
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk Switched On
From the DG’s desk
»WelcometothefirstSwitched Onof2015.
ThepastfewmonthshavebeenanexcitingtimeforElectricalSafety First and, whilst this yearwillseeuscontinueinoureffortstokeeppeoplesafe from the dangers that electricity can pose, it will also throw up changes that need tobeconfrontedinorderto ensure that the Charity’s successcontinues.
One such change concerns Switched On. Having conducted areadershipsurveyandafterextensive discussions, we have decided to alter the way that we deliver Electrical Safety First’s news.
So,ratherthanofferingasingle,quarterlypublicationcontainingabroadrangeofinformationfromacrossthe Charity’s technical and
campaigning divisions, we feel that more frequent and targeted news releases will provide our readers with a betterexperience.
As a result, this issue of Switched Onisthelastbut,as we say a fond farewell, we prepare to welcome in its place a series of shorter and sharper regularbulletinsofferingtechnical guidance and updates on developments from across the electrical industry.
Details of the Charity’s campaigningactivitiescanbefoundonourwebsiteandoversocial media.
Webelievethatmorefrequentupdateswillbeofenormousbenefittoourreaders,asitwillallowustosharebreakingnewsaboutdevelopmentsinthe industry much faster than wehavebeenabletothroughaquarterly journal.
It is not just Switched On that is changing over the coming months. With a General Electiononthehorizon,thereisthepotentialforgreatchangetothedomesticpoliticallandscape in which Electrical Safety First operates.
Thesechangesbringaboutexcitingopportunitiesforthe Charity and will allow us to promote our work to new politicalaudiences.
Wehavealreadybegundeveloping our strategy for approaching the new Parliament and, with our recent success in Scotland where our campaigning has seen the introductionoffive-yearlyelectrical checks in private rentedproperties,weareinamuchstrongerpositiontohelpaffectchangethroughouttherest of the United Kingdom.
The House of Lords recently played host to the launch of a crucial report, commissioned byElectricalSafetyFirst,whichaimed to highlight the dangers that electricity can pose to our elderlypopulation.
Entitled‘A Shock to the System: Electrical Safety in an Ageing Society’, the report revealed that one million people aged over75livein‘non-decenthomes’ – which are homes that fail to meet the Government’s DecentHomesStandardbybeingtoocold,beinginapoorstate of repair or not having modernfacilities.
The event was a great success and the report itself received somehigh-profilepresscoverage, so I would like to thank everyone involved for helping to put this very important issue under the spotlight.
To end, it is worth referring toanage-relatedcrisisofmy own. For some reason, I haveagreedtoparticipateinthe forthcoming London to BrightonBikeRideon21June.
Alongside some of my colleagues under the moniker of“TheElectrics”,wewillberiding the 54 miles in order toraisemoneyfortheBritishHeartFoundation.
Ihavenodoubtthatitisgoingtobeagruellingchallengebutitisallforafantasticcause.
As always, we would welcome feedbackonthecontentofSwitched On. Please email [email protected]
Phil Buckle Director General
Electrical Safety First welcomes a review of the product recall system»InMarch,JoSwinson,ConsumerAffairsMinister,announced
that consumer campaigner Lynn Faulds Wood is to lead a review of the UK’s system for the recall of unsafe products.
Welcoming the news, Phil Buckle, Director General of Electrical Safety First said: “Faulty electrical products pose a real threat to consumers, their families and their property, so we’re delighted thattheDepartmentforBusiness,InnovationandSkillshasannounced this independent review of the recall system.
“NotonlydoesitdemonstratethattheGovernmentiscommittedtoimprovingrecalleffectiveness,butwealsohopethatitputstheissue of recalls more generally into the spotlight.
“With current success rates for the recall of faulty electrical productsbeingaslowas10%-20%,consumers,manufacturersandauthoritiesneedtofaceuptothedangersofanineffectiverecall system and work together in order to improve it. We hope today’sannouncementisthefirststeptowardsachievingthis.”
4 News
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.ukSwitched On
Electricians’ long term health still at serious risk from asbestosThe Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched another campaign to raise the awareness of those working in building trades - including electricians - to the continuing dangers of exposure to asbestos fibres, and help them take steps to protect themselves.
»As previously reported in Switched On, an average of
six electricians die every week in theUKfromtheeffectsofbeingexposedtoasbestosduringthecourse of their work many years earlier.
But despite the repeated health warnings and awareness campaigns, a recent HSE survey found that ignorance oftheseriousrisksofasbestosremains worryingly high.
Thesurveyof500tradespeoplelooked at the frequency of potentialexposuretoasbestosintheworkplace,thecontinuingmisconceptionsabouttherisks,and how exposure to those riskscouldbeminimised.
The survey found that, on average, those employed in buildingtradescouldcomeintocontactwithasbestosmorethan1001 timesinayear.
It also revealed that those likely tobeexposedtoasbestosbelievedincorrectlythatdrinkingaglassofwater(14%)oropeningawindow(27%)would help to keep them safe fromasbestosdust,orminimiseexposure risk.
Only30%ofthosetakingpartinthesurveycouldidentifyallthe correct measures for safe asbestosworking,and57%madeatleastonepotentiallylethalmistakeinrelationtomeasures to stay safe.
The survey also revealed that only15%ofparticipantswereawarethatasbestos-containingmaterialscouldbepresentinanybuildingconstructedbeforetheyear2000.
A key feature of HSE’s Beware Asbestoscampaignisaweb-basedappsuitableforusewithsmartphones,tabletsandlaptops.
The app is designed to help thoseworkinginbuildingtradestomoreeasilyidentifywherethey might come into contact
O
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Inside Asbestos cement water tank
Pipe lagging
Loose fill insulaon
Textured decorave coang e.g. Artex
AIB ceiling les
AIB bath panel
Toilet seat and cistern
AIB behind fuse box
AIB airing cupboard and/or sprayed insulaon coang on boiler and hot water tank
AIB paron wall
Vinyl floor les
AIB behind fire
AIB interior window panel
AIB around boiler, storage heaters and warm air heang systems
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
OutsideO Asbestos cement gu ers
and downpipes
P Soffits - AIB or Asbestoscement
Q AIB exterior window panel
R Asbestos cement roof
S Asbestos cement panels
Roofing FeltT
AIB = Asbestos insulang board
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government License v2.0
5News
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk Switched On
1 The results of the survey showed that tradespeople work an average of 2.29 days a week in buildings built prior to 2000 and which may therefore contain asbestos. This figure is multiplied by 48 (52 weeks per year minus an estimated four weeks non-working time) to give an annual figure.
withasbestosintheirdailyworkactivities.
It gives clear advice on how they can protect themselves, identifyingwhereworkrequiresa licensed contractor, including theabilitytosearchforonelocally, or providing simple how-toinformationforsmallnon-licensedtasksthatcoulddisturbasbestos.
There is also a useful gallery showing typical materials that containasbestos.
Philip White, HSE’s Chief InspectorforConstruction,said:“Asbestosisstillaveryreal danger and the survey findingssuggestthatthepeople who come into contact withitregularlyoftendon’tknowwhereitcouldbeand
worryingly don’t know how to deal with it correctly, which could put them in harm’s way.
“Our latest campaign aims to help tradespeople understand some of the simple steps they can take to stay safe.
“Ournewwebappisdesignedforuseonajobsoworkerscaneasilyidentifyiftheyarelikely
to face danger, and can then get straightforwardadvicetohelpthemdothejobsafely.”
Theweb-basedasbestossafetyappcanbefoundat: www.beware-asbestos.info/news
Furtherinformationaboutasbestossafetycanbefoundatwww.hse.gov.uk/asbestos
New requirement tackles ‘cable entanglement’ deathsA life-saving requirement that will help prevent fatalities caused by cable entanglement in building fires has been included in the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations (BS 7671), thanks to successful lobbying by Electrical Safety First in collaboration with Fire and Rescue Services.
»Therehavebeensometragic outcomes in recent
yearswhenfallingcablesinburningbuildingshavetrappedboththosetryingtoescapeandfirefighterstryingtosavelives.
The new requirement, included in the third amendment to BS 7671: 2008 which was publishedon1Januarythisyear,willcomeintoeffecton1July.Itwillrequirenewly-installedwiringsystemsinescaperoutestobesosupportedthattheywillnotbeliabletoprematurecollapseintheeventofafire.
“Experience has shown that, where installed at high level in corridors, stairways and other escaperoutes(andparticularlyinhighriseblocksofflats),cablessupportedonlybyplasticcableclips,orbyplastictrunkingorconduitwithoutadditionalmetal
supports,canposeasignificantriskduringafire-bothtoresidentsandthoseattemptingto rescue them” explains Martyn Allen, Head of Technical at Electrical Safety First.
“We are delighted that our partnership approach to this issue, working with the Chief Fire OfficersAssociation(CFOA)andother key stakeholders, has led tothisimportantadditionto BS 7671-whichisastep-changeimprovement in safety.”
JohnBonney,ChiefOfficeratHampshireFireandRescueService, said: “Following the death of our two colleagues, AlanBannonandJamesShears, at Shirley Towers in Southampton, the Coroner foundthatfallencables–whichhamperedtheirattemptstoescape-wereakeyfactorinthetragedy.
“The Coroner recommended a change to the rules concerning thesupportofoverheadcablesandwehavelobbiedhardoverthe last two years, through CFOA,tobringthisabout.
“While we cannot undo what happened at Shirley Towers, or otherfatalfireswherefallingcableshavebeenafactor,thissmallbutvitalchangeintheUKWiringRegulationswill,
overtime,helpprotectboththepublicandfirefightersandreduce the risk of them facing similar dangers in the future.”
AndyReynolds,CFOALeadOfficerforElectricalSafety,added: “A new requirement intheUKWiringRegulationshasbeenincludedthankstothe hard work of Electrical Safety First and a successful partnership with CFOA. This changeisasignificantlife-saving improvement.”
Further details of the new requirementcanbefoundintheautumn2014issue(No34)of Switched On.
6 News
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.ukSwitched On
Government questioned about risks from counterfeit electrical goodsLast December, Jim Fitzpatrick, MP for London’s Poplar and Limehouse, tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons recognising the work of Electrical Safety First and its campaign to raise awareness of online sales of counterfeit electrical products.
»TheMotioncalledonthegovernment to assess and
tacklethenumberofdangerouscounterfeit electrical goods beingtradedonline.SuchsubstandardgoodscontributetothousandsoffiresinUKhomes each year, and have the potentialtocausesignificantharm.
ResearchbyElectricalSafetyFirst has found that the sale of counterfeit goods on social media is a growing trend – increasingbyalmost15%inthe
lastyear.Seizuresofsubstandardmobilephonechargersrosebyover50%duringthesameperiod.
“We’redelightedthatJimFitzpatrickraisedthissafetyissue in Westminster, and thank himforhiscommendationofElectrical Safety First and its work”, said Director General Phil Buckle.
“There is a serious safety issue with counterfeit electrical productswhichbecomes
particularlypressingduringtheChristmas period when people arelookingforabargain.
“Unlike fake designer clothes or pirate DVDs, counterfeit electrical products are likely tocontainsubstandardpartswhich can result in serious injury to people and damage to property.”
SincetheEarlyDayMotionwastabled,thegovernmenthaspledgedanextra£400,000tohelpTradingStandardsofficers
preventdangerousgoodsbeingsold in the UK.
The announcement came from ConsumerAffairsMinisterJoSwinson whilst on a visit to SouthamptonPortinFebruary,whereshewasabletoseethework of local Trading Standards officersfirsthand.
She said: “Dangerous and fake goodshurtlegitimatebusinessesand put consumers at risk of harm. This extra money will help protectthepublicandmakeiteasier to catch rogue traders.
Anyonewhohasconcernsaboutthe safety of a product they haveboughtshouldcontacttheCitizensAdviceConsumerHelplineon03454040506.”
Amendment 3 implementation datesAs widely publicised, Amendment No 3 (AMD 3) to BS 7671: 2008 was published, on schedule, on 1 January this year.
»As is the norm when new editionsof,oramendments
to, BS 7671arepublished,atransitionperiodofsixmonthsisallowedbeforethedesignofallnewelectricalinstallationwork is required to comply fully with the changed requirements.
Unusually however, the implementationdateforoneregulationinAMD3-421.1.201-whichgivesrequirements
forthenon-combustibilityof enclosures of new and replacement consumer units in domesticpremises-hasbeendeferreduntilJanuary2016togivemanufacturerssufficienttimetomakeanynecessarychanges to their product lines.
But,subjectonlytotheavailabilityofconsumerunitscomplyingwiththenewnon-combustibilityrequirements,
there is nothing to prevent newelectricalinstallationworkbeingdesignedfullyin accordance with AMD 3 requirements ahead of the officialimplementationdates.Indeed,Note2toRegulation421.1.201acknowledgesthattheearlyadoptionofitsrequirementsispermissible.
As all changes to BS 7671 are designed to enhance the
safety of those using electrical installations,ElectricalSafetyFirst would encourage their adoptionassoonaspracticable.
Timeline for Amendment 3 of BS 7671: 2008
1 January 2015: AMD 3 published
1 July 2015: Electrical installations to be designed in accordance with all requirements of AMD 3 except those of Regulation 421.1.201
1 January 2016: Requirements of Regulation 421.1.201 come into effect
7News
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk Switched On
More solar panel businesses in court after workers fallIn the autumn 2014 issue of Switched On (No 34), we reported on two prosecutions that followed falls by solar panel installers.
»Unfortunately, such falls seemtobeanall-too-
frequent occurrence as there havesincebeenatleasttwofurtherprosecutionsforsimilarfailurestocomplywithbasichealth and safety requirements.
LastSeptember,theownerofasolarpanelbusinesswasprosecuted for failing to make an adequate assessment of the risks involved in working on a fragile roof and not taking sufficientactiontoreducethose risks, following an incidentinwhichtwobrothersfell more than 4.5 metres.
Andrew Green, trading as Green Park Power, was prosecutedbytheHealthandSafetyExecutive(HSE)afteraninvestigationfoundtherewasno equipment or measures in place at the site, such as nets orscaffoldedgeprotection,toprevent or lessen the severity of a fall.
AtthetimeoftheincidentinJune2013,thebrothers,whowereworkingonbehalfofMrGreen, were installing solar panelsonafarmbuildinginMonmouthshire.
Oneofthebrotherssuffereda compression fracture of hisbackandsternum,whilethe other managed to escape injury.
Mr Green, of Maple Close, Abergavenny,wasfined£4,500and ordered to pay costs of £1,500afterpleadingguiltytoabreachoftheHealthandSafetyatWorketc.Act19741.
Then,inJanuarythisyear,aPreston-basedcompanywasprosecuted following the death of a man who was installing solar panels.
The34-yearoldman,whowas working on the roof of a cowshed,fellfivemetresontoaconcretefloorwhenaclear
plasticpanelintheroofgaveway under him. He died of his injuries in hospital ten days later.
EcoGenerationLtdofWatkin Lane, Lostock Hall, wasprosecutedbytheHSEfollowing the incident which occurredinNovember2011.
At the trial at Preston Crown Court, it was stated that Eco GenerationLtdhadbeeninstalling solar panels on the roof of a large cowshed approximately60metreslongand20metreswide.
Despitethesizeoftheroof,each solar panel installer had beengivenonlytwo‘Youngmanboards’tostandonastheyworked, although there were dozensofthefragileplasticrooflights.
The deceased was installing a solar panel close to one oftherooflightswhenhe
inadvertently stepped onto it and fell through to the concrete floorbelow.
The court was told that measures such as installing nettingunder,orplacingprotectivecoversover,thefragilerooflightscouldhavebeentakentoprotecttheworkers.TheHSEinvestigationinto the incident found that nettinghadbeeninstalledundersomeofthepanels,butnot under the one the man fell through.
EcoGenerationLtdwasfined£45,000andorderedtopay£20,515inprosecutioncostsafterpleadingguiltytotwobreachesoftheWorkatHeightRegulations20052.
InformationaboutworkingsafelyatheightisavailableontheHSEwebsiteat www.hse.gov.uk/falls
Free guidance on safe working practicesforthoseinvolvedintheinstallationofsolarpanelscanbeviewedordownloaded free of charge from: www.cskills.org/uploads/GS001_Safe%20solar%20panel%20installation_tcm17-33755.pdf
8 News
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.ukSwitched On
Electrical safety in an ageing societyElectrical Safety First is urging the government to put an end to poor quality housing after a report found that one million people in the UK aged over 75 currently live in non-decent homes.
»The report, A Shock to the System: Electrical Safety in
an Ageing Society, reveals that much of the current housing stockisputtingvulnerablepeopleatrisk,andisnotfittoallow people to age safely in their own homes. Those living inlow-incomehouseholdsorinruralareasaremostbadlyaffected.
Ashortageofnewhomesbeingbuiltcombinedwithanageingpopulationmeansthissituationwillworsenunlessurgentactionis taken.
Homesareclassedas‘non-decent’ if they fail to meet the government’s Decent Homes
Standard, which means that they are not warm enough, are in a state of disrepair or do not havemodernfacilities.
Poor electrical safety is a particularconcern.Nearlytwo-thirds of homes with a couple agedover60donotmeetbasicelectrical safety standards1, whichincludePVC-insulatedwiringandlife-savingprotectivedevices such as residual current devices.
The report raises serious concernsabouttheelectricalsafety of older people. More than350,000peopleintheUKareseriouslyinjuredbyelectricity every year.
And older people are more likelytobeaffected-thoseover60aretentimesmorelikelytodieinafirethanthoseaged17to 24.
Older people are disproportionatelyatriskbecausetheyaremorelikelytohavebeenlivinginthesameproperty for many years, which could mean long intervals betweencomprehensivesafetychecks.
Also, their electrical installationsandappliancestendtobeolder.42%ofthosewho have lived in their home for30ormoreyearsliveinnon-decentaccommodation2.
Phil Buckle, Director General of Electrical Safety First, said: “The government has a duty to ensure that no one is living in unsafe housing, and yet a millionover-75sliveinhousingdeemednon-decentbyitsownstandard.
“Ashortageofnewbuildsmeans that the housing stock willcontinuetoage,electricswillcontinuetodeteriorateandvulnerablepeoplewillcontinuetobeputatavoidablerisk.
“Most elderly people want to stay in their own home for as longaspossible,butforthisto happen we need central and local government to act to ensure they can maintain their independencebylivinginsafeand decent homes.”
Baroness Greengross, Chief ExecutiveoftheInternationalLongevity Centre which authoredthereportonbehalfof Electrical Safety First, said: “Asourpopulationageswe’reseeing more older people living independently at home.
“It’s therefore vital that every effortismadetomakethehome environment as safe as possible.
“However, our inquiry found that too many older people are living in poor housing conditions,potentiallyputtingthem at risk of harm from electricity amongst other things.
“We know there are one million older people living in non-decenthomes-therenowneedstobeaconcertedeffortbycentralgovernmentandlocalauthoritiestorectifythis”.
Electrical Safety First is calling for central and local government to:
●● ensure all housing meets the Decent Homes Standard to help prevent deaths and injuries from electrical hazards
For more information, and to download the booklet
or access the app, visit: www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/agesafe
9News
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk Switched On
1 39% of households with a couple over 60 have all five electrical safety features, which include PVC wiring, a residual current device, a modern consumer unit, modern earthing and bonding, and miniature circuit breakers rather than fuses. This means that 61% of households with a couple over 60 do not have all of these features and do not fully meet current electrical safety standards. 2 42% of those who have resided in their property for 30 or more years live in non-decent accommodation All research, unless otherwise stated, was conducted by the International Longevity Centre on behalf of Electrical Safety First. The report ‘A Shock to the System: Electrical Safety in an Ageing Society’ can be found at: www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/news-and-campaigns/campaigns/electrical-safety-in-an-ageing-society
●● make it mandatory for private landlords to ensure that the safety of electrical installationsintheirrentedpropertiesischeckedatleastonceeveryfiveyears
●● ensure tenants are protected such that they can report electricalandotherhazardsto landlords without fear of eviction
●● target more ‘at risk’ homes with free electrical safety
checks – such as those in which older people have lived for many years
●● work with the voluntary sector to ensure that older peoplecanclaimthebenefitstowhichtheyareentitled,someofwhichcanbeusedto carry out electrical repair work.
The report also notes that there areotherbarrierstoolderpeopleprotectingthemselves
from the dangers that electricity can pose, which include a fear oflettingstrangersintotheirhomestocarryoutessentialmaintenance work, the cost of using tradespeople, and social isolation–allofwhichmeanhazardsmaygounnoticedorbeignored.
Dementiacanalsoincreasesafety risks as memory problemsandconfusioncanlead to electrical appliances beingusedunsafely.
To help address these concerns, Electrical Safety First has producedafreeleafletwhichincludestipsandadviceforanyoneconcernedaboutelectrical safety in their own homeorthatofarelativeorfriend.
The Charity has also produced a free smartphone app to help householdersidentifyandaddressanumberofelectricalsafety issues through a simple visual check of their home.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015Subject to Parliamentary approval, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) will come into force on 6 April this year, replacing the 2007 version.
»InJanuary,theHealthandSafetyExecutive(HSE)publisheddraftguidancedesignedtohelpanyonehavingdutiesunderthe
regulationstofamiliarisethemselveswiththechangedrequirementsin the new version, and to prepare for them coming into force.
Theguidancecanbedownloadedfrom www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l153.htm
TheHSEhasalsoworkedwiththeconstructionindustrytoproducecomplementaryguidancespecificallyforsmallbusinesses.Thiscomplementaryguidancecanalsobefoundbyfollowingthe abovelink.
Notable changes from the 2007 Regulations include:
●● The role of CDM coordinatorisreplacedbythatof principal designer,givingresponsibilityforcoordinationofthepre-constructionphase,whichiscrucialtothemanagementofanysuccessfulconstructionproject,toanexistingmemberofthedesign team
●● Recognitionoftheinfluenceandimportanceoftheclientastheheadofthesupplychainandasthepersonbestplacedtosetstandards throughout a project
●● Competence is split into its component parts of skills, knowledge, trainingandexperienceand-ifitrelatestoanorganisation-organisationalcapability.Thisisintendedtoprovideclarityandhelptheindustrytobothassessanddemonstratethatconstructionprojectteamshavetherightattributestodeliverahealthy and safe project.
ItshouldbenotedthatboththeRegulationsandthedraftguidancecouldbesubjecttochangebeforetheyareapprovedbyParliament.
ThefinalversionoftheguidancesupportingCDM2015willbeavailablefrom6April.
With around 5 million1 properties in England and Wales already at risk of flooding, and with more still being built on flood plains, Electrical Safety First is looking at how certain types of cable perform after being immersed in water and whether, following a suitable drying-out period, they could safely be reused - rather than replaced - after the flood has subsided.
Research into the performance of wiring after floods
Feature
Switched On Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk
1Environment Agency figures c. 2012.
11Feature
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk Switched On
»Ifitisnotessentialtoreplacewiringafteraflood,therewouldbepotential
benefitsincluding:
●● significantcostsavings
●● shorterrepairtime
●● earlierreoccupation.
Asafirststep,ElectricalSafetyFirstcommissionedtheBritishApprovalsServiceforCables(BASEC),anindependentandnon-profitaccreditedcertificationbody,tocarry out some preliminary research into theperformance,afterimmersioninwater,oftypesofcablecommonlyinstalledindwellingsandlightcommercialbuildings.
AccordingtoBASEC,suchobjectiveresearchhasneverbeforebeencarriedoutonthesetypesofsmallpowerandlightingcable.
The research
Singlecorecableshavingconductorsizesrangingfrom1.0mm2to4.0mm2,andflattwinandearthcableshaving2.5mm2 live conductors,weresubjectedtotestsafterimmersioninarangeofwaterconditionssimilartothoselikelytobeencounteredinfloods.
Thetestingwasdesignedtosimulatebothshort and medium term immersion that couldbeexperiencedbyinstalledcablesduringperiodsofflooding.Thetestingwasconductedwithoutenergisingthecables.Thepossibleeffectsoftheimmersionofcontinuouslyenergisedcableswerenotinvestigated.
Thecablesamples,chosenatrandomfromreadilyavailablestock,includedbothsolid(Class1)andstranded(Class2)copper conductors to determine whether thedifferenceinconstructionaffectedthe ingress and/or egress of water during immersionandsubsequentdrying-out.
Research variables included:
●● theconditionofthewater–varyingfrom clean to salty to silty
●● the extent of immersion of the cable–fromdippingacutendtofullsubmersion
●● thedurationofimmersionofthecable–ranging from 24 hours to 3 full months.
Test protocols
The following test protocols were used to investigatethepenetrationofwaterinto
immersedopenendsofcablesandtheelectricalperformanceofcablesduringandafterimmersion,andtodeterminetheextentofdegradation,ifany,intheperformanceoftheinsulationand/orsheathing material.
1. Wicking:Todeterminetheeffect,ifany,ofcapillaryaction,2mlongsamplesofeachtypeofcableweresuspendedverticallyinthethreetypesof water for a period of one week, with alengthof200mmimmersedbelowthesurface.Afterremovalfromthewater tanks, the samples were cut open and visually inspected for the presenceofwaterinsidethecablebetweentheconductorandinsulationand,whereappropriate,betweentheinsulation/protectiveconductorandthe sheath.
2. Penetration: 5 m long samples of eachtypeofcableweresuspendedhorizontallyinthethreetypesofwater.Oneendwaskept1mclearofthe water, with the remainder coiled atadepthof1m.Afteraperiodofoneweek, the samples were removed from the water tanks, cut open and visually inspected for the presence of water.
3. Insulation resistance on drying: 2 m long samples of the twin and earth cabletypesweresuspendedverticallyin the three types of water for 24hours,with1mimmersed.Afterremoval, each sample was allowed todryinaverticalorientationand500Vd.c.insulationresistancetestsconducted on them at increasing intervals during a one week period todeterminewhateffect,ifany,immersion had had on the integrity of theconductorinsulation.
4. Medium term immersion insulation resistance: 5 m long samples of the solid and stranded types of twin and earthcableweresuspendedatadepthof1minthethreetypesofwater,withbothendsclearofthewatersurface.Thesampleswerethensubjected,whilstimmersed,to500Vd.c.insulationresistanceand2000Va.c.voltage withstand tests at increasing intervals during a three month period.
Theresultsofthewickingandpenetrationtestsindicatedthatcableswithstrandedconductorstendedtobesignificantlymorepronetowaterpenetrationthanthosewith
solidconductors.Thisislikelytobeduetothepresenceofairspacesbetweenthestrands of a stranded conductor.
Theresultsoftheinsulationresistancetests(fortheshortsamplesofcable)didnotfall anywhere near to the minimum safety levelsspecifiedinBS 7671.
Thisindicatedthattherewasinsignificantdegradationofthecablematerialsinthe three types of water used and that, followingappropriatedryingout,inspectionandtesting,thecablescouldbere-energisedwithlittleobservabledifferencein performance. However, no assessment of potentialchangesinthelongevityofcableswas made.
Itwasalsonotedthatvaluesofinsulationresistanceduringtestingweremuchhigherforlowsmoke,halogenfree(LSHF)cablesthan for PVC.
Having completed the preliminary investigationwork,weintendtosharethefindingswithotherinterestedpartiesandseek support for further research.
Webelievethefindingsofthisandanyfutureresearchwillbeofinteresttoinsurers, and property developers and renovators, amongst others.
Itmayalsobeofinteresttoownersofpropertyinareasliabletofloodingwhomaybeexperiencingdifficultyingettingfloodinsurance.
Whenfinalised,thedetailedreportonthefindingsofthepreliminaryinvestigationwillbemadeavailableonourwebsiteatwww.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/electrical-professionals/product-safety-unit, where newsofanyfurtherresearchwillalsobeposted in due course.
Electrical Safety First would like to thank BASEC for their assistance with the investigationwork.
Generaladviceaboutelectricalsafetyinthehomeafterafloodcanbefoundat: www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/around-the-home/flooding-advice
Research into the performance of wiring after floods
12 News
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.ukSwitched On
Protecting private tenants in Scotland In February, Margaret Burgess MSP, Minister for Housing and Welfare and Bob Doris MSP, joined Phil Buckle, Director General of Electrical Safety First, to highlight the new requirement in Scotland for private sector landlords to have regular electrical safety checks carried out in their rented accommodation.
»The Minister also announcedthepublication
of advance statutory guidance on the new requirement – due to come into force on 1Decemberthisyear–tohelpensurelandlordsbecomeawareoftheirnewresponsibilities,andto encourage early compliance.
The private rented sector (PRS)inScotlandhasmorethandoubledinsizeinthelastdecade.Yetin2012,almosttwo-thirdsofhomesin the sector failed to meet theScottishHousingQualityStandard.
And as families with children now account for over a quarter
of all private tenants, concerns over disrepair and safety in the sector were increasing -particularlysincealmost70%offiresinScottishhomesduringtheyear2012-2013werecausedbyelectricity.
To address the concerns, Electrical Safety First worked withBobDorisMSPtohelpensurethattherecentScottishHousing Act included a requirement for private sector landlords to have electrical checks on the wiring, and on any electrical appliances providedbythem,carriedoutintheirrentedpropertiesbyaregistered electrician at least everyfiveyears.
TheScottishGovernmentisfunding Electrical Safety First to run an awareness campaign to publicisethenewrequirementin advance of it coming into forceinDecember.
“We are delighted that electricalsafetyinthePRSinScotlandhasnowbeenproperlyrecognised, and are extremely grateful for the support this issuehasreceivedfrombothBobDorisandtheMinister”,said Phil Buckle.
The Minister, Margaret Burgess MSP, added: “I acknowledge the key role of Electrical Safety First in their campaign to raise awareness of electrical safety in the private rented sector.
“FromDecemberthisyear,theHousing(Scotland)Act2014will require private landlords to have an electrical safety inspectioncarriedoutatleastonceeveryfiveyears.
“This will strengthen housing standards and improve the safety of tenants in the private rented sector. So I am pleased toannouncethepublicationofstatutory guidance for landlords on this new duty.”
The Minister’s statement was echoedbyBobDorisMSP,who said: “I was delighted whentheScottishGovernmentincluded in the Housing Bill my amendment on electrical safetychecks,andIpaytributetotheworkdonebyElectricalSafetyFirstandtheScottishAssociationofLandlordsonthisissue.
“Ihavenodoubtthattheirtirelesscampaigning,ofwhichthis amendment is one result, will save lives.”
Guidance on the new regulation can be found on the Private Rented Housing Panel website at www.prhpscotland.gov.uk
13News
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk Switched On
Seeking safety for Welsh tenants Electrical Safety First is calling on the Welsh Government to include an important safety requirement in the Renting Homes (Wales) Bill for five-yearly electrical checks to be undertaken in homes in the private rented sector (PRS). The Bill is currently progressing through the Welsh Assembly.
»Electrical safety checks are ofparticularimportancein
privately-rentedhomesbecauseover a third of them fail to meet the UK government’s Decent Homes Standardandbecausearound70%offiresinWelshhomesarecausedbyelectricity.
“ThePRShasbecomeamajorand expanding element in Wales,butsuchrapidgrowthbringsitsownproblems,withsafetyaparticular–andgrowing – concern”, explains Phil Buckle, Director General of Electrical Safety First.
“Ifthesectorcontinuestoexpand at its current rate, it’s estimatedthatby2020oneinfivehomeswillbeprovidedbyprivate landlords.
“Webelieveregularelectricalsafetycheckscouldsignificantlyreducetheriskoffiresandinjuries in the sector and that theycanbecarriedoutwithoutcreatingburdensomeredtapefor landlords.”
The Welsh Government’s own statisticsshowthatalmostafifth(18.4%)ofprivatelyrentedhomesareunfittolivein.
As poorly maintained homes oftenhavebadly-maintainedelectricalinstallations,andwith safety concerns increasing inlinewiththecontinuingexpansion of the sector, the Charity is calling for:
●● mandatory safety checks ontheelectricalinstallationinallprivately-rentedhomes, and on any electrical appliancessuppliedbythelandlord, at least once every fiveyears,and
●● the provision of residual currentdevices(RCDs),which help prevent deaths and injuries from electric shock,inallPRSproperties.
Electrical Safety First has campaigned long and hard to promote these fundamental safety requirements and was disappointed when they were not included, despite beingsupportedbytheCommunities,EqualitiesandLocalGovernmentCommittee,inWales’firsteverHousingAct,which came into force last year.
TheRentingHomes(Wales)Bill is a second opportunity to ensure that private tenants in Wales receive the same security as those in Scotland, where Electrical Safety First led the successful campaign to have regular electrical checks for homesinthePRSmadealegalrequirement.
14 Technical
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.ukSwitched On
Electrical installations in loft spaces of thatched buildingsThisarticle,writtenwiththeassistanceofCharlesChalcraft*,looksatthefactorsthatmustbetakenintoconsiderationtopreventanelectricalinstallationintheloftspaceofabuildingwithathatchedroof,orincloseproximitytothethatch,posingariskoffire.
»Thearticleconsiderswhatmeasuresarenecessarytoensurethatcablesandotherinstalledequipmentdonotsufferdamage
whentheroofisbeingthatchedormaintained.Considerationisalsogiventothetypeoffiredetectiondevicesthatshouldbeemployedintheloftspacebelowathatchedroof.
Fig 1. Smoke detector and fully enclosed bulkhead luminaire installed in roof space of a thatched roof. Cables are protected by steel conduit with both the luminaire and detector so placed as to minimise the risk of damage from thatching needles, thatching spars, screw wires and spiked access equipment.
What is thatch and how long will a thatched roof last?
Therearebelievedtobeover50,000thatchedpropertiesintheUK,largely spread in an arc from the West Country to include Dorset and Hampshire, up into the Midlands and across to East Anglia.
Thatch is the term used for a range of natural materials used to provide a weatherproof roof to a property. The choice of material usedisoftendictatedbylocalavailability,planningpermissionconditions,orbecauseofrequirementslaiddownforthemaintenanceofapropertythathasbeen‘listed’byEnglishHeritageor Historic Scotland.
Materials used for thatching include the following:
●● Waterreed(alsoknownasNorfolkreed)
●● Wheatstraw,usedascombedwheatreedoraslongstraw
●● Heather,oftenusedforcroftsinScotland.
Detailsoftheconstructionofathatchedroofareoutsideofthescopeofthisarticle.Howeveritisofnotethat,dependinguponthetypeofmaterialusedandtheeffectsofarangeofenvironmentalfactors, the majority of a thatched roof may last for anywhere between15and60years,whilstroofridgestypicallyrequirereplacementevery8to15years.
15Technical
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk Switched On
Thatched roofs and fire risk
Thatchedroofsarevulnerabletofirefromarangeofignitionsourcesincludingthoseemanatingfromadamagedorinadequateelectricalinstallation.
Whilstthematerialsusedtoconstructathatchedbuildingareflammable,awell-laidroofingoodconditionisnotparticularlysusceptibletoignition.
When thatch is applied to a roof, it is densely packed and well securedtotheroofframing.Justasatightlyrollednewspaperwillbemoredifficulttolightthanaloosesheet,soitisforthatch.
In short, a ‘healthy’ thatched roof is more likely to smoulder than blaze.Theseverityofathatchfireiscontrolledbytheavailabilityofoxygen.
Fig 2. Ineffective use of plastic mini trunking to provide additional protection for cables.
However,becauseawell-laidthatchedroofisimpervioustowater,thisislikelytopreventfirefightersfromdampingdownafireonthe inside surface of the thatch from the outside without the roof coveringbeingpulledaparttosomeextent.Thismightbeadecidingfactorwhenconsideringwhethersomeformoffiredetectionisrequiredintheloftspace.
Considerations when planning an electrical installation
When considering what type of wiring system to employ, and what electricalequipmenttoinstallintheloftofathatchedproperty,thedesignermustensurethattheelectricalinstallationissuitablefortheenvironmentalconditionslikelytobepresent.
Factorsthatmustbeborneinmindincludethelikelypresenceof:
●● rodents-suchasmice,ratsorsquirrelsthatmightdamagecablesbygnawing(especiallyinthewintermonths)
●● accumulationofflammabledustandparticlesoriginatingfromthethatchfallingontop-facingsurfaces,especiallywheredownlightshavebeeninstalledintoceilings.
Fig 3. PVC-served mineral insulated cable utilising steel adaptable boxes in a thatched roof space. Note the signs of rodent damage to the gland shrouds.
Considerationmustalsobegiventothelikelihoodofmechanicaldamagefromoutsidetheroofduringthatching,causedeitherbythefixingsusedtosecurethethatchtotheroofframe,ortheaccessequipmentandsharptoolsusedwhilstre-thatchingisunderway.
Fig 4. Examples of likely causes of mechanical damage. Left, thatching needle (inset: thatching needle protruding through thatch). Right, thatching spars (inset: a thatcher’s biddle – a work platform held on thatch by spikes).
The electrical installation
Althoughtheremaynotbeevidenceofthepresenceoractivityoffaunaatthetimeelectricalinstallationworkisbeingcarriedout,itisalwayspossiblethatathatchedroofmaybecomeahometorodentsatsometimeduringthelifeoftheinstallation.
For this reason, it is recommended that a wiring system is employed thatofferssomedegreeofadditionalprotectionagainstgnawingbeyondacable’sinsulationandsheathing.
Wiringsystemsthatmightbesuitableinclude:
●● Mineralinsulatedcable
●● Steelwirearmouredcable
●● Conductors installed in metallic trunking or conduit
●● Metalliccappingsecuredoverinsulatedandsheathedcable.
Fig 5. Plastic conduit installation fixed inboard of thatch. The plastic conduit would not prevent damage from thatching needles and spars during roof repair or replacement activities.
There is some evidence that the use of high impact PVC trunking orconduitmightprovideasufficientdegreeofprotectionagainstdamagebymice.However,itisunlikelytobesufficienttopreventsignificantdamagebyratsorsquirrels.
WherePVCtrunkingorconduitisemployed,carefulconsiderationshouldalsobegiventoitslocationasitwillnot,ofitself,offersufficientprotectionforcablesfromdamagebythatchingneedlesand spars.
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.ukSwitched On
Technical16
Anywiringsystemshouldbesosealedastopreventtheingressofsolidparticlesandmaterials,andindeedtopreventsmallanimalsfromnestingintheequipment.
Arguablyitisparticularlyimportantinathatchedrooftoensurethatlidsareproperlysecuredonalljointandconduitboxesandthat, for example, where luminaires are mounted into ceilings, they havefullyenclosedterminalboxes.
Co-axialtelevisionaerialandsatellitesystemcablesshouldalsobeprotected.Whereverpossible,suchcablesshouldrundownendgablewallsandnotbefedthroughthefabricofthethatch.
Thefixingsusedwhenthatchingcanbeanywherebetweensixtoeighteeninchesinlength-longenoughtopassallthewaythroughthethatchedroof-andaretypicallyaffixedwithsufficientforcetocausesignificantdamagetoanypartsoftheelectricalinstallationwith which they come into contact.
Itisthereforerecommendedthat,whereverpossible,protectedwiringsystemsshouldrunalongthecentreoftheloft-wherecableswillbeawayfromphysicaldamagebythethatcherandalsoawayfrom rodents, which tend to travel near to the walls.
Ifthereisnoalternative,thenprotectedcablescanbefittedontheinsidesurfaceofthepurlins,butthecablerunsshouldnotbefixedtorafters.
Ideallythereshouldbenodownlightsinstalledintoloftceilings.Butwheresuchlightsareinstalled,theyshouldbepositionedwellawayfrom the slope of the roof.
Whereexistingdownlightsareencountered,thepropertyownershouldbeadvised,ifappropriate,thattheyshouldbe:
●● replacedbyfullyenclosed‘fire-rated’typedownlights,and
●● atleastcoveredoverbyaninsulationdisplacementcoverplacedbetweenthejoists
Ineithercasethiswillprovideimprovedprotectionforthedownlights from dust ingress and mechanical damage.
Fig 6. Improvised hoods over downlighters and their control gear. The main body is plastic soil pipe with a louvered vent panel resting on top of the pipe directing heat toward the thatch. The use of proprietary hoods or insulation displacement devices is preferable.
Therehavebeencaseswherethefixingsofexteriorhalogenfloodlightshavefailed,allowingthelighttoturnoverandpointtowardsthethatch,settingitalight.Intheabsenceofmorespecificinformation,theminimumdistancesbetweenaluminaireandthecombustiblematerial(inthiscasethethatch)statedinRegulation422.3.1ofBS 7671 shouldbeobserved,asappropriatetothelamprating(inwatts).
ItshouldbenotedthattheguidanceissuedbyDorsetBuildingControlTechnicalCommitteeforthatchedbuildings–‘TheDorsetModel’–makesthefollowingrecommendationswithregardtolighting:
●● lightingshouldnotbeinstalledrecessedintoceilingsbelowthatch
●● anylightfittingswithintheroofspaceshouldbeofthefullyenclosed,bulkheadtype
●● externalfloodlightsshouldnotbelocatedundertheeavesofthethatch.
Itshouldalsobenotedthatitisnotrecommendedtoinstallcentralheatingboilerswithintheloftofathatchedproperty.
Fire detection
Asmentionedearlierinthisarticle,thatchisdesignedtoshedwatersoitcanbedifficultforfireservicestodealwithfiresinaloftspace.Thismakesearlydetectionofafirewithintheloftofathatchedbuildingparticularlyimportant.
Within BS 5839-6: 2013,1indentg)ofclause11.2recommendsthatinCategoryLD12 systems,detectorsshouldbelocatedincirculationareas,andheatorsmokedetectors(asappropriate)shouldbesitedinallroomsandotherareasofthepremises,includinglofts.
Thisissupportedbythe‘DorsetModel’,whichrecommendstheinstallationofadomesticmainsandbatterypowered,interlinkedsmoke alarm system with one smoke detector sited in the roof void.
Itisimportantthatthefirealarmsystemissoarrangedthatthetriggering of a smoke detector in the roof space raises the alarm throughout the whole of the premises. One way of achieving this wouldbetointerlinkallthedetectors.
Whilstthesitingofsmokedetectorsintheloftsofdomesticpremises was considered in greater length in issue 26 of Switched On(autumn2012),forloftsunderthatchedroofsitisfurtherrecommendedthatdetectorsaremountedonahorizontalbattenfixedacrosstheroofbelowtheridge,withthesupplycableattachedtoaverticaltimberandwiththeinterconnectingwiringruninthecentreoftheloft.Thedetectorsalsoneedtobereadilyaccessiblesothattheycanbetestedandcleanedregularly.
Chimneyheatmonitorsandautomaticfireextinguishersystemsmayalsobespecifiedinafireriskassessmentforapropertywithathatched roof.
1Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings – Part 6: Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises.2BS 5839-6: 2013 defines a category LD1 system as a system installed throughout the premises, incorporating detectors in all circulation spaces that form part of the escape routes from the premises, and in all rooms and areas in which fire might start, other than toilets, bathrooms and shower rooms.*Charles Chalcraft, now a thatch consultant, has been a thatcher since 1986. A member of the National Society of Master Thatchers and the Residential Property Surveyors Association, he also carries out surveys of properties, specialising in those with thatched roofs and older buildings. The images in this article are reproduced with the kind permission of Charles Chalcraft.
17Technical
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk Switched On
Have you ever been asked...
»AlthoughtheUKagreed35yearsagotoadoptthecolourblueforneutralconductors,andhassinceusedharmonised(brown/
blue/green-and-yellow)coloursfortheidentificationofthecoresofflexiblecablesandflexiblecordsforelectricalappliancesetc,nosimilarmovewasmadeatthetimetowardsharmonisingthecoloursofnonflexiblecablesusedforfixedwiring.
Wesimplycarriedonusingred,yellowandblueforthelineconductors,blackfortheneutral,andgreen-and-yellowfortheprotectiveconductor.
Unfortunately,whilstfordecadestheUKcontinuedtoignoretheneedtoconsiderharmonisingitsfixedwiringcolours,muchoftherestofEuropehadbeenstandardisingonbluefortheneutral,withbrownand/orblacklineconductors.
ThefollowingchartshowsthecablecoloursituationacrossEuropein1996,withtheUK(GB)clearlybeingverymuchoutofstep.
Cable colours across Europe in 1996. Courtesy IET
Whenin1999iteventuallybecameevidentthat,withinafewyears,anewEuropeanStandard(EN60446)wouldbylawrequiretheuseofthecolourblue(ratherthanblack)fortheneutralconductorsoffixedwiringthroughoutEurope,itbecamenecessaryfortheUKtoaddressthecablecolourissueasamatterofurgency.
TheJointBSI/IEEcommitteeresponsibleforthetechnicalcontentoftheUKstandardforthesafetyofelectricalinstallations(BS7671)establishedaworkinggrouptoconsiderthepositiontheUKshouldtakewithrespecttotheharmonisationofthecoloursofthecoresofnonflexiblecablesforfixedwiring.
TheworkinggroupconcludedthattheUKhadnorealisticoptionbuttoagreetousethecolourbluefortheneutral,andbrownforthelineconductorofsingle-phasecircuits.
Italsoconcludedthat,duetothewidespreadadoptionacrosstherestofEurope,theUKwouldalsohavetoacceptblackforoneoftheotherlineconductorsofamultiphasecircuit.
Theworkinggroupalsoconsideredtherewasaneedtobeabletodistinguishbetweenthelineconductorsofathreephasecircuit,and decided to propose the colour grey for one of those conductors because,oftheveryfewremainingpanEuropeancolouroptions,this seemed to have the least disadvantages.
Theworkinggroup’srecommendationssubsequentlyformedthebasisofaUKproposalwhich,muchtothesurpriseofmany,wasacceptedbytheCENELECcountriesofEuropealmostunanimously.
Europe then had the opportunity to fully harmonise the colour identificationsystemnotonlyfornonflexiblecablesforfixedwiring,butalsoforflexiblecablesandcords,andpowerdistributioncables.
WhilstthechangeintheUKtobluefortheneutralandatleastoneblackinmultiphasecircuitsintroducedthepossibilityofconfusionwiththeblackneutralandbluelineconductorinexistingthreephasedistributioncircuits,theriskwasgenerallyconsideredtobemanageable.
Other European countries had made similarly radical changes in theircolouridentificationsystemswithoutunduesafetyproblems,andthepublicintheUKwerealreadyfamiliarwithablueneutralandbrownlineconductorintheleadsoftheirdomesticappliances.
Afterall,uptoabout1994,UKconsumershadbeenexpectedtofittheirownplugtoalmosteverynewappliancetheybought!
ThecoloursoffixedwiringintheUKhadalsochangedradicallyovertheprevious90yearsorsoascanbeseenfromthefollowingchart,apparentlywithoutserioussafetyproblems.
Cable colour specified in past editions of the IEE Wiring Regulations
Sothenewharmonisedcoloursofbrown,blackandgreyforthelineconductors,bluefortheneutral,andgreen-and-yellowfortheprotectiveconductorwereintroducedinAmendmentNo2toBS 7671: 2001(IEEWiringRegulations16thEdition),andbecamearequirementforallnewelectricalinstallationworkwitheffectfrom1April2004-AllFoolsDay,assomegleefullypointedoutatthetime!
...Why did the identification colours used in the UK for fixed wiring change around ten years ago?
18 Technical
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.ukSwitched On
Safety of electric vehicle charging pointsWiththegovernmentsupportingtheprovisionofchargingpointsatthehomesofelectricvehicle(EV)owners,andlocalauthoritiesprovidingon-streetEVchargingfacilities,theinstallationofEVchargingpointshasprovidedanewbusinessopportunityforelectricalcontractorsacrosstheUK.
»ButaccordingtothewebsiteofSource London,thebodyresponsibleforoverseeingEVchargingpointsintheCapital,
typicallyathirdofallpublicly-accessibleEVchargingpointsintheLondonareaareoutofserviceatanyonetime.
Althoughthespecificcausesarenotidentifiedthisraisesthequestion,especiallyifthehighproportionofoutofservicecharging points is common across the UK, as to whether all the
necessarystepsarebeingtakentomaintainEVchargingpointsinasafecondition.
In2012,theInstitutionofEngineeringandTechnology(IET)publishedaCodeofPractice(CoP)thataimedtoprovidedetailedguidanceonallaspectsoftheinstallationofEVchargingpoints-fromtheoriginoftheelectricalsupplytothedistributionandfinalcircuits,andfromtheinstallationofthechargingequipment
19Technical
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk Switched On
itselftothecablebetweenthechargingequipmentandvehicle’selectrical inlet.
Relatedissuesofsitelayoutandplanning,andsubsequentinspection,testing,certificationandmaintenancewerealsocovered.
WithregardtotheinspectionandtestingofEVcharginginstallations,theIETCoPsimplyrecommendsthatitiscarriedoutinaccordance with the requirements of BS 7671, the UK standard for thesafetyofelectricalinstallations.
However, those requirements apply only to the circuit from the origin of the supply up to the charging unit, not to the charging unit oritscable.
So,bycomplyingwiththerequirementsofBS 7671 alone, the installerorpersonsubsequentlycarryingoutperiodicinspectionandtestingcannotbecertainthatthechargingunitwillfunctionsafely and correctly when it is energised and charging a vehicle. The charging unit might have an internal fault, for example.
The IET CoP recommends that a charging point is tested to ensure correctfunctionality.However,itgivesnoguidanceonhowthis
shouldbeachieved,andcurrentlysuchguidanceisnotreadilyavailablefromanyothersourceeither.
ToappreciatesomeofthedifficultiesassociatedwithensuringthecorrectfunctionalityofanEVchargingpoint,itisnecessarytounderstand how such points are designed to operate, including the electricalprotectiontheyincorporate.
A ‘Mode 3’ charging point, the type most commonly installed at domesticpremisesandon-street,incorporatesanelementofintelligencethatenablesittocommunicatewithaconnectedvehicletoestablish,forexample:
●● ifthechargingcableiscorrectlyconnectedphysically
●● if the polarity is correct
●● theratingofthechargingcable
●● anappropriatechargingcycleforthebattery
●● whetherthevehiclebatteryisofatypethatrequiresventilation.
However,thefunctionalityofachargingpoint’selectricalprotectioncannotbecheckedunlesseitheranelectricvehicleisconnected,oranappropriatetestinstrumentisusedthatsimulatestheconnectionof an electric vehicle.
Such an instrument would need to simulate the signal which, when receivedbythechargingpoint,initiatesthesequencethatclosesthecontactorstoenergisethechargingcircuit,enablingtestingtobeperformed.
SothereisaquestionastowhyanEVchargingpoint,whichisahighenergysourcerelyingonrelativelycomplexelectronics,isnotrequiredtobetestedforsafetyinamorecomprehensivemanner,inadditiontotherequirementsofBS 7671.
EVchargingpointsalsoincorporateanRCDintendedtoprovideprotectioninthecaseofanearthfault,togetherwithmonitoringdevicetoensureadequatecontinuityoftheprotectiveconductorinthechargingcable.
YettheIETCoPdoesnotcallfortheRCDtobetestedtothesameextentasotherRCDsinanelectricalinstallation-itsrecommendationischecktheoperationoftheRCDbyonlyusingthetestbutton.
Withgovernmentcontinuingtoencouragetheuptakeofelectricvehicles and the growth of the charging infrastructure they need, it ismoreimportantthaneverthatbothprivately-ownedandpublicly-accessiblechargingpointsarecorrectlyinstalled,andappropriatelyinspected,testedandmaintainedtoensuretheirinitialandongoingsafeoperationintheinterestsofbothusersandpassers-by.
Insummary,thereisaclearneedforfurtherconsiderationtobegiventotherequirementsfortheinspectionandtestingofEVchargingpointsnecessarytoconfirmtheircontinuedsafetyandfunctionality.
Electrical Safety First therefore intends to develop detailed safety proposalstoputtoJPEL/64,thejointBSI/IETcommitteeresponsiblefor BS 7671,forpossibleinclusioninafutureamendmenttothatstandard.
WewouldliketothankSeawardfortheirassistanceinthedraftingofthisarticle.
20 News
Issue No. 36 | Spring 2015 | www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.ukSwitched On
PreviousissuesofSwitchedOnareavailabletoreadordownloadfromourwebsite.
Back issues of Switched On
www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/switchedon
Company prosecuted after repeated failure to act led to an electric shockIn January, a company was prosecuted at Derby Magistrates’ Court following an incident in which a 16-year-old hotel employee suffered an electric shock from a commercial dishwashing machine.
»The employee, who worked at the StuartHotelinLondonRoad,
Derby,receivedtheelectricshockinSeptember2013.
AninvestigationbyenvironmentalhealthofficersfromDerbyCityCouncilfoundthat,despitethedishwasherfirstbeingreportedfaulty over two months earlier and the fault beingreportedanddocumentedbystaffon11occasionsinthehotel’smaintenancelogbook,RidgesilverLtdofGeorgianWay,Harrow, Middlesex, had failed to have the machine repaired.
Theinvestigationalsofoundthattheinjuredemployeehadbeentakenonwithoutaspecificyoungperson’sriskassessmentbeingcarriedout.
RidgesilverLtdpleadedguiltytofouroffences:
1. Failing to ensure, so far as is reasonablypracticable,thehealth,safety and welfare of employees [The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974,Section2(1)]
2. Employing a young person without making an assessment of health and safety risks [The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999,Regulation3]
3. Failingtoensurethattheoperationand use of a commercial dishwasher was carried out in such a manner as not to give rise, so far as was reasonablypracticable,todanger[The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Regulation4(3)]
4. Failing to ensure that no person was engagedinanyworkactivityonorso near any live conductor, namely
a live conductor in a commercial dishwasher, that danger may arise [The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989,Regulation14]
RidgesilverLtdwasfined£30,000,andorderedtopaycostsof£11,977andavictimsurchargeof£120.
SpeakingafterthecaseCouncillorRawson,DeputyLeaderandCabinetMemberforPlanning,EnvironmentandRegenerationatDerbyCityCouncilsaid:“Itisimportantthatallbusinessestakehealthandsafetyseriously and ensure that risks in the workplaceareeffectivelycontrolled.
“RidgesilverLtdknowinglyallowedafaultydishwashertobeoperatedforasustainedperiodoftime,exposingseveraloftheiremployees to a risk of electric shock which couldhavecausedseriousinjuries,burnsorcouldhavebeenfatal.
“It was therefore important that we took legalactionagainstRidgesilverLtd,giventhe disregard for the health and safety of its employees in this instance.”
