According to a survey conducted by the Home Office, 11 UK home fatalities over the course of 2018/19 were attributed to electrical distribution fires, with injuries relating to electrical distribution fires totalling 321 cases.
A further 15 fatalities were also the result of other electrical appliance fires and a further 39 injuries were also related to other electrical appliance fires. These are statistics that required action.
One way in which the UK government is aiming to reduce electrical fire injuries and fatalities at home is through the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector in England.
From 1st July 2020 or from 1st April 2021 for existing tenancies, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) must be conducted by a qualified professional and acquired before the commencement of any new tenancy.
The report ensures that all electrical installations in the property, such as light fixtures and electrical sockets, are safe before the tenant moves in. Properties that pass the EICR will keep the certification for five years, however, when the EICR expires, a new one will need to be obtained.
However, amidst a pandemic, conducting a physical electrical test is not the easiest thing to do. For landlords, tenants, and tradesmen, their health is undoubtedly the first and foremost concern. Whether it’s advice on how to conduct home electrical tests as a landlord or tenant or tips on how to do the safest socially distanced work for professionals, we look into the different important factors to consider when doing the EICR test.
Conducting the EICR test at home
As the EICR is an in-depth inspection that requires a physical body within the property, the majority of landlords with long-term tenants will need to find some way of accessing the property and make sure that the tests are conducted following social distancing requirements to prevent any possibilities of contracting Coronavirus.
On some occasions, the EICR will not be required as long as there is evidence that you have tried to arrange the inspection. If this is the case, you will need to work with your tenants to plan a suitable and safe time for the inspection to be completed or give evidence that the inspection cannot be completed until a time when the risk to your tenants is lower.
But, if the test is still required, landlords must take into consideration their own safety and must instruct tenants to follow all safety requirements when conducting checks & inspections under Covid measures.
One way of conducting the EICR test is using the self-service check-in method which allows tenants to complete checks on their property themselves without interaction with any professional tradesman. Another way to do the test is through live inspections which involve property inspectors carrying out checks by video link without needing the inspector to attend.
By introducing these methods, tradesmen can maintain a safe distance from their tenants while continuing to provide a service. However, this means that tenants and landlords will have to conduct often dangerous preliminary tests without the physical support of a professional.
When conducting these home checkups, requires good knowledge and understanding of the dangers of electricity and how to conduct safe and thorough examinations. A general ability to follow clear instructions given by a professional is essential as this will guide you clearly and accurately through important stages, helping you become aware of any possible dangers before and during the test.
After listening to detailed instructions by a professional electrician prior to the EICR test, in order to ensure yours and the electrician's safety (if an in-person test is required), the electricity must be turned off for the test to take place. You will need to bear this in mind if there are already tenants in the property as failure to turn any electrical components off whilst conducting the test could prove fatal, so always double-check.
The main item to have when conducting any electrical inspection at home is insulated and suitable clothing such as gloves and dielectric shoes. These will help prevent and absorb any electrical shocks from majorly harming you. For workers and tenants coming in contact with each other, wearing the correct PPE safety gear is crucial. Recommended items for maximum safety include PPE face coverings and safety glasses.
For electricians as well as landlords and tenants, when conducting an electrical test, despite any prior initial assessments, never assume that an electrical component you are handling in a residence is safe. Always run the necessary checks. To assess the safety of the property you should follow the recommended steps of a visual test, earth test (for outdoor living), resistance test, and a leakage test. These can all help reduce the risk of electrical hazards occurring at home and in outdoor spaces.
Making sure you are 100% knowledgeable on the 18th edition of the Wiring Regulations is also vital for conducting the EICR report. Not only will this help you locate hazards and faults, but it is also a requirement for properties to ensure these regulations are met when conducting the report and final test.
We know that having accurate and up-to-date industry knowledge is key to identifying the warning signs of electrical safety, but let's not forget it is also critical to know the best type of safety equipment for dealing with electrical faults.
It’s key to always have the most proven and advanced equipment for the job. An approved voltage indicator (AVI) is a key piece of equipment used for checking electrical currents within a property. This device is an absolute must as it determines the presence/absence of electricity in an area that you are unable to identify just by looking at it. Primarily used to detect AC voltages on sockets, switches, outlets, circuit breakers, when used correctly it could save your life.
Although the correct equipment which has been approved and verified by a professional is always a safety essential, the main advice is to always seek expert advice if you are unsure. A detailed review by a professional is always the safest option so if you are a tenant or a landlord, I would recommend maintaining a safe social distance from a contractor and allow them to conduct the test.
Overall, the main intention and ultimate aim of this is to help prevent any life-threatening injuries for both tenants, landlords and electricians contracted to conduct future tests in new and existing properties. It also aims to serve as a guideline suggesting methods and ways in which you can limit contact with people during a national pandemic whilst still maintaining maximum safety in your home.
However, ultimately it’s a guide on how to help you understand the danger and effects of electrical fires within the UK and how you can help prevent these from happening by conducting thorough tests guided by experts or by making sure you contact a professional to review and properly service your property.
