SimplyPats User Forum

You may be interested to know that the National Private Tenants Organisation (NPTO) is launching a campaign on the issue of electrical safety in the private rented sector.

NPTO is calling for evidence of electrical safety hazards both in installations and appliances in the private rented sector. All evidence will be treated in confidence and no personal details will made public.

The campaign will be formed around inspection and testing and the path to competency for EICRs and in service electrical appliance inspection and testing. There will probably be a call for mandatory EICRs and electrical appliance inspection and testing and possibly a competent persons scheme for both, perhaps similar to Part P arrangements. What do people think?

Please visit their news page at: http://www.npto.btck.co.uk/news for more info. Evidence can be emailed to enquiries@npto.org.uk.

Their website is www.npto.btck.co.uk.

Hi

Thank you for your post. It is quite possible that some of our members have evidence to submit.

If the NPTO campaign achieves its goal of mandatory testing in the private rental sector it should provide a well-earned boost to the industry in the wake of the resent Löfstedt Review which states that “This is (Electricity at Work Regulations 1989) an example of a regulation that is being applied too widely and disproportionately”.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/lofstedt-report.pdf - page 125 sections 28 & 29

From what little information I can find it appears as though annual PAT testing is recommended by the HSE but it is unclear to me whether further inspection and testing is required and if any of this is a legal requirement like the annual gas safety check.

The Electrical Safety Council have released an article that discusses how confusion over electrical safety advice and regulation results in the high number of electricity related incidents within the private rental sector.

http://www.esc.org.uk/public/news-and-campaigns/press-releases/news/article/confusion-between-landlords-and-tenants-exposes-millions-to-serious-electrical-dangers/
It would be interesting to have some feedback on this subject and any clarification of regulations for this sector would be appreciated.

Regards,
Lorna

Hi Lorna,

I will forward a copy of the NPTO report when it is available. It will contain comprehensive info. on the legal framework etc for electrical appliance inspection and testing.

Regards

Kevin

Thanks Kevin that would be great.

Regards,
Lorna

Hi Lorna and forum readers,

A website for the campaign on electrical inspection and testing in private rented homes has been launched at:
http://KeepRentingSafe.weebly.com

There is a page which details current legislation which you will be interested to you Lorna.

We hope forum readers will sign up to the campaign via the website.

Regards

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for your post, I’ve signed up.

I have always been bemused by the differences between HMO regulations and those for a standard occupancy. Electrical safety concerns everybody not just those in shared accommodation.

I’m sure you are aware that the HSE have released a new publication that details a new schedule of PAT testing in ‘low risk’ environments which include offices, some parts of hotels and residential care homes. Apparently a 4th edition of the code of practice is imminent:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.pdf

Our forum thread on the subject: http://www.simplypats.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=648

Regards,
Lorna

The electrical safety tests commonly available on medical equipment safety testers. Although, HEI 95 and DB9801 are no longer current, they are referred to, in the text, since many medical electronics departments have used them, as a basis for local acceptance testing, and even routine testing protocols. Protocols based on both sets of guidance are also available, on many medical equipment safety testers.

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Electrical Safety Testing Sydney