​Electrical Fixed Wiring Testing (EICR) and PAT Testing became mandatory for Private Rented Properties in Scotland in December 2015.

New Smoke/Heat/Carbon detection legislation was introduced in May 2014.

This applies to all Private Rented Properties.

Visit our website for more information as well as the view the information in the below, supplied by Stirling Council to all Private Landlords in July 2017

Article from Which? magazine.

It may be the weekend and some of us will be enjoying some downtime but electricity doesn't know its Saturday or Sunday and continues to power our lives which means electrical safety is a 24/7/365 concern and something we all must be aware of to make sure we keep safe as best as we can.

Electrical safety especially in private rented homes has improved greatly over the last few years due to a change in electrical and fire safety regulations meaning mandatory electrical wiring testing and increased fire detectors has improved the safety for the tenants.

Improving electrical safety in homes and businesses continues to be at the top of the agenda for our electrical trade organisation in Scotland SELECT and their hard work so far should be congratulated and their efforts for continual improvement supported.

Last year I wrote a small article on electrical safety and efficiency in homes which was published in the popular Love Local magazine which covers Stirling and Clackmannanshire areas.

The article can be read below and if you have any questions about how you can improve electrical safety and efficiency in your premises please ask by commenting on this post or contact me via our website. 

Another good source for safety advice within your home can be found at the Electrical Safety First website.

Electrical Fixed Wiring Testing (EICR) and PAT Testing 

LATEST SCOTLAND LEGISLATION NEWS - Electrical Fixed Wiring Testing (EICR) and PAT Testing will become mandatory for Private Rented Properties in Scotland from 1st December 2015.

Main Legislation Points:-

• The electrical safety inspection has two separate elements: An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) on the safety of the electrical installations, fixtures and fittings and a Portable Appliance Test (PAT) on portable appliances.
• EICR to be carried out by an electrician who is a member of SELECT or NICEIC.
• An electrical safety inspection must have been carried out and in place: Before a tenancy starts and during the tenancy at intervals of no more than 5 years (could be 3 years for HMO property) from the date of the previous inspection.
• A copy of the most recent EICR and PAT report must be given to a person who is to become a tenant before a tenancy starts. If an inspection is carried out during a tenancy a copy relating to that inspection must be given to the tenant.

The above information was published by the Scottish Government on 19th February 2015 and comes into effect on 1st December 2015 - Full Details and Guidance for Landlords on EICR and PAT Testing can be found here. 

View our Electrical Fixed Wiring Testing (EICR) page for details of the testing procedure.

Recent legislation has also been introduced for an increase in Smoke and Heat Alarms in Private Rented Properties - details can be found on our Landlords page.

New legislation comes into effect from 1 December 2015 making it mandatory to carry out electrical safety inspections on privately rented properties at least every five years - The testing required will be an Electrical Installation Condition Report and PAT Testing. 

The new legislation is designed to reduce the number of domestic fires caused by electrical faults. The official guidance surrounding the ruling and what it means for landlords in Scotland was officially launched on 19th February 2015 by Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess.

We will have a full blog post on Monday regarding this new legislation. 

Contact us in the meantime for more information. 

The importance of having a Residual Current Device (RCD) installed within your premises is highlighted in these photographs where this fault (screw through part of a cable) was undetected until an RCD was installed as part of a new consumer unit installation.

The life saving device which offers a level of personal protection that ordinary fuses and circuit-breakers cannot provide tripped when it sensed an imbalance between the neutral and earth wires. This fault within a socket in a family home was thankfully detected by the RCD before the cable hole increased through time and touched and exposed the red live wire where the potential of shock and fire risk would have greatly increased.

RCD's are now a very important requirement of current electrical regulations where most if not all circuits within a home should have RCD protection.

Further information on RCD's can be found at the weblink below and here at SES we offer free estimates in most circumstances if you would like us to quote for the replacement of your old fusebox with a new safer life and premises saving RCD consumer unit.

http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/electrical-items/rcds-explained/