Showing posts with label electrical safety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label electrical safety. Show all posts

Tuesday 5 September 2023

Ensuring Fire Safety in Glasgow's West End: The Crucial Role of Electrical Testing in Older Tenement Buildings


Introduction

Glasgow's West End is renowned for its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant community. Many of the buildings in this area have stood for centuries, housing generations of residents. While these tenement buildings exude character and charm, they also come with their fair share of challenges, especially concerning electrical safety. In this blog, we'll explore why electrical testing is essential for fire safety in older style tenement buildings in Glasgow's West End.

Aging Electrical Systems: A Hidden Hazard

The West End's tenement buildings, with their intricate facades and traditional design, often conceal an aging electrical infrastructure. Many of these buildings were constructed before modern electrical standards and regulations were in place. As a result, they may have outdated electrical systems that are prone to faults, wear, and tear.

Over the years, electrical components deteriorate due to factors like moisture, corrosion, and overloading. This degradation can lead to various issues such as faulty wiring, outdated outlets, and inadequate grounding. These problems increase the risk of electrical fires, posing a severe threat to residents, neighboring properties, and the entire community.

Electrical Fires: A Silent Menace

Electrical fires are insidious, often starting within walls or concealed spaces, making them difficult to detect until they've grown out of control. In older tenement buildings, the risk of electrical fires is exacerbated by the presence of wooden structures, which can quickly become kindling for flames.

Moreover, the West End's tenements are typically densely populated, with multiple units sharing the same building. This means that a fire originating from an electrical fault can spread rapidly, endangering the lives of numerous residents and causing extensive damage.

The Importance of Electrical Testing Eicr Westend Glasgow

To mitigate the fire risk associated with older tenement buildings in Glasgow's West End, regular electrical testing is essential. Here are some reasons why it is a crucial component of fire safety: Landlord certificates Glasgow

  1. Identifying Faults and Hazards: Electrical testing involves a thorough inspection of the building's electrical system. This process can reveal faulty wiring, outdated components, and potential hazards that might otherwise go unnoticed.

  2. Compliance with Regulations: Adhering to modern electrical safety regulations is paramount. Electrical testing ensures that the building meets current standards, reducing the risk of electrical fires and associated hazards.

  3. Preventative Maintenance: Routine testing and maintenance can prevent electrical problems from escalating, extending the lifespan of the electrical system, and reducing the likelihood of fires.

  4. Peace of Mind: For residents and property owners, knowing that their building has undergone electrical testing can provide peace of mind. It demonstrates a commitment to safety and the well-being of all occupants.

  5. Insurance and Legal Requirements: Many insurance providers require that older buildings undergo regular electrical testing to maintain coverage. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in higher premiums or even coverage denial.

Conclusion Landlord Certificates Glasgow

In the West End of Glasgow, the allure of older style tenement buildings is undeniable. However, their historical charm should not overshadow the importance of fire safety, particularly concerning electrical systems. Regular electrical testing is an essential step in ensuring the safety of residents, protecting property, and preserving the rich heritage of this remarkable neighborhood.

By identifying and addressing electrical faults and hazards, electrical testing plays a crucial role in preventing devastating fires that could otherwise jeopardize lives and the cherished architecture of Glasgow's West End. As stewards of these historic buildings, it is our responsibility to prioritize safety and ensure that this iconic neighborhood continues to thrive for generations to come.

Monday 28 August 2023

Prioritizing Electrical Safety in Rental Properties: A Guide for Letting Agents and Landlords


The safety and well-being of tenants should be the top priority for letting agents and landlords. In the realm of property management, ensuring a safe living environment is not just a responsibility; it's an ethical obligation. One crucial aspect of this is electrical safety. In this blog, we'll explore why letting agents and landlords require property safety certificates, with a focus on electrical safety, and discuss key upgrades that can significantly enhance fire safety within rental flats.

Why Landlord Property Safety Certificates?

  1. Legal Compliance: The law mandates that rental properties meet specific safety standards. Property safety certificates, such as Gas Safety Certificates and Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs), ensure compliance with regulations. Neglecting these certificates can result in legal penalties and reputational damage.

  2. Tenant Protection: Tenants have a right to live in a property that is safe and free from hazards. Property safety certificates demonstrate a commitment to tenant well-being by ensuring that potential risks are mitigated.

  3. Minimizing Liability: By obtaining the required safety certificates, letting agents and landlords can reduce their liability in case of accidents or injuries caused by unsafe conditions. These certificates serve as proof of due diligence.

  4. Professional Reputation: A property managed by professionals who prioritize safety is more attractive to potential tenants. Earning a reputation for safe and well-maintained properties can lead to better tenant retention and positive word-of-mouth referrals.

Enhancing Electrical Fire Safety in Rental Flats

  1. Westend Glasgow Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR): An EICR is a crucial certificate that assesses the condition of a property's electrical installations. It identifies potential risks, such as faulty wiring or overloaded circuits, that could lead to electrical fires. Regular EICR inspections (usually every five years) are essential.

  2. Fuse Box Upgrades: An outdated fuse box can pose a fire risk. Upgrading to a modern consumer unit with residual current devices (RCDs) and circuit breakers enhances the property's electrical safety by detecting and preventing electrical faults.

  3. Wiring Inspection: Ensuring the integrity of electrical wiring is vital. Faulty or outdated wiring can lead to short circuits and fires. Regular inspections can identify wiring issues that need immediate attention.

  4. Socket and Switch Checks: Damaged or overheating sockets and switches can be indicators of underlying electrical problems. Promptly addressing these issues prevents potential fire hazards.

  5. Appliance Safety: Encourage tenants to use only approved and well-maintained electrical appliances. Faulty appliances can overload circuits and increase the risk of electrical fires.

  6. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs): In areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens, consider installing GFCIs. These devices cut off power when they detect a ground fault, preventing electrical shock and fires.

  7. Fire-Retardant Materials: Opt for fire-resistant materials when renovating or furnishing. Flame-resistant materials can slow down the spread of fires, offering occupants more time to escape.

Conclusion

Safety should never be compromised, especially in rental properties where people call home. Prioritizing electrical safety through property safety certificates and necessary upgrades not only aligns with legal obligations but also showcases a commitment to tenant well-being. Electrical fires are preventable with proper measures in place, and letting agents and landlords play a pivotal role in making rental flats secure havens for their occupants. Remember, a safe property isn't just a legal requirement; it's an investment in peace of mind for everyone involved.

Wednesday 7 January 2015

Main Consumer Units

Fired-up over consumer units

A number of fire investigators throughout the UK have noticed a recent trend with an increasing number of fires involving plastic consumer units.

Figure 1: A consumer unit located under the stairs in a terraced three-storey house
In the last five years, the Glasgow Fire Brigade has investigated 107 fires (October 2006 to October 2011), and in the last 12 months it has identified a 100% increase in these incidents, with 45 investigations concluding that the fire originated within a plastic consumer unit. 

There are several types of fault that lead to the ignition of the plastic enclosure/casing. The most common is localised resistance heating at the connection of the neutral link (solid or flexible) terminal connection bar. These conductors are used to connect the main isolation switch and the neutral connection/terminal bar. Other areas where a neutral connection fault can occur are additional neutral conductor links to connect other components (such as the conductor linking the main neutral connection terminal bar to the Residual Current Device (RCD[s]).

In general, electrical installation contractors may perceive neutral connections as less hazardous than the live connections. However, in a single-phase consumer unit the total current for the final circuits is flowing through the main neutral connections, which are just as susceptible to poor connections as the live connections. Other locations of defective connections that have resulted in the ignition of a plastic consumer unit are the connections at the input or output of a main isolator switch or the connections of an RCD.

What are the problems that lead to these defective connections? 

Poor workmanship by the installer is a one factor. The use of inappropriate tools, distraction when making final connections, not re-checking connections (particularly on larger conductors) or not checking the tightness of factory made connections can all lead to localised resistance heating. 

The actual construction of the connections by the manufacturer is another potential issue. Indeed, Nick Carey has noticed a significant change in the construction of connections/terminations within consumer units over the last 10 to 15 years. 
The use of one fixing screw per connection instead of two screws, the use of plated steel fixing screws instead of brass screws, quality issues with threads and quality issues with burrs of metal at the end of screws that limit the conductor/screw contact area. There has also been a change from rigid plastics to more aesthetically pleasing moulded plastic enclosures. 

The change with enclosure construction has also coincided with a product that electricians find easier and quicker to install, with soft plastic openings that are simple to remove and adapt for cable entry points.
Figure 2: Typical fire damage to the enclosure of a plastic consumer unit in a fire confined to the under stairs cupboard of a two storey house
Another more recent problem affecting several brands of consumer unit is a manufacturing defect within Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) leading to resistance heating at the switching contacts area.
What are effects of these fires? 

The changes to the type of plastics used to construct consumer unit enclosures in the last 10-15 years and pressures on manufacturers to be environmentally friendly has led to a reduction or even an omission of fire retardants in the plastic used to construct the enclosures.

The results of fire investigations where physical evidence has identified the fire originating within a plastic consumer unit is that defective connections have led to the ignition and destruction of the plastic enclosures. The fire often develops to involve the entire plastic enclosure with burning droplets of plastic falling to the floor that on occasions can start secondary fires below. Other items stored or installed adjacent to the consumer units determine how the fire develops from this point. Some of the fires have also involved gas pipes, which has significantly increased the fire development. 

The fires have also injured a number of occupiers. Typically the injuries are smoke inhalation but there have been some burn injuries. Fortunately, to date, there have not been any recorded fatalities. However, there have been a number of near misses with the fire service rescuing occupiers trapped by the fire within their properties.
In one recent case, the consumer unit was located under the stairs in a terraced three-storey house (as shown in figure 1). The quantity of storage within the cupboard and the involvement of the timber staircase ensured the fire spread to the top floor. The fire was discovered by one of the occupiers at 1am and the other nine occupants were quickly alerted to the fire and they all successfully evacuated. The damage to the consumer unit was so extensive that it was not possible to identify the product brand.

Fires involving plastic consumer units often only leave the remains of the main switch, RCDs and MCBs with the remains suspended by the final circuit conductors. The plastics used in the casings of the main switch, RCDs and MCBs contain flame-retardants and are designed to withstand significantly higher temperatures than the plastics used in the enclosures. 

Smoke being produced by the fire began to overwhelm the dedicated extraction system of the test facility
Figure 2 details the typical fire damage to the enclosure of a plastic consumer unit in a fire confined to the under stairs cupboard of a two storey house.

Ignition tests

A recent series of ignition tests was undertaken on five brands of plastic consumer units. The tests were initiated by the Glasgow Fire Brigade and undertaken with the collaboration of Bureau Veritas Solutions and the Electrical Safety Council. Initial tests identified that three of the five plastic enclosures did not use a flame retardant in the plastic. The other two brands used enclosures with a flame retardant incorporated in the plastic.

The first series of tests were confined to replicating the hot wire material test as specified in BS/EN 60947-1: 2007 + A1:2011. Criticism could be raised by the manufactures of consumer units as BS/EN 60947 is not a ‘product test’. However, the test successfully identified the ease in which the plastics used in the construction of the enclosures were ignited. A pre-conditioned hot wire is wrapped around a plastic sample and the wire is then energised with prescriptive electrical limits for up to 30 seconds. In these tests a maximum wire temperature of 550°C was measured.

The results of the hot wire tests were that with the exception of one sample of plastic that had a flame retardant, all of the plastic samples ignited irrespective of whether they did or did not have a flame retardant incorporated in the plastic. The shortest time to flaming ignition was 11 seconds for a plastic sample without a flame retardant and 16 seconds for a plastic sample with a flame retardant. 

All five plastic consumer unit enclosures were subjected to a needle flame test in accordance with the EN 60695-11-5:2005 standard. The needle flame was introduced into the consumer unit via a small opening to enable access to the main neutral connection at the neutral connection bar.

One of the consumer units with a flame retardant did not ignite and the flame was applied at four additional areas, again without ignition. The second consumer unit with a flame retardant ignited and once the needle flame was removed, the flame self-extinguished within eight seconds. 

The remaining three consumer unit ignition tests resulted in fires that spread from the initial needle flame to involve the entire plastic enclosure. The shortest time from needle flame application to the ignition of the plastic was eight seconds. Two of the ignition tests had to be halted after four minutes as the smoke being produced by the fire began to overwhelm the dedicated extraction system of the test facility (figure 3). 

Plastic Consumer Units in the UK have to be constructed in accordance with BS EN 60439 (replaced in 2011 by BS EN 61438). The plastic enclosures have to withstand 660°C glow wire product tests. The opinion of the author is that this test is not sufficient to ensure the safety of the occupiers in properties where plastic consumer units are installed. 
The data previously detailing fires that have originated within consumer units in the Glasgow area, resulting from various types of defective electrical connections, shows an increase in these life-threatening fires. 
The plastics used in the construction of consumer unit enclosures should therefore be more resistant to ignition from an internal defective electrical connection. In addition, the product should be constructed to ensure that any localised heating within the consumer unit should be contained within the product.




Ensuring Safe Homes: The Imperative of Electrical Testing, Qualified Electricians, and EICRs for Landlords in Glasgow

https://g.co/kgs/Fsif6i Introduction Renting out a property comes with significant responsibilities, particularly when it comes to the safet...