TECHNIQUE BLOG - Technique Learning Solutions

Complying with Building Regulations 2010 (England & Wales)

Friday, 21 June 2019 by Cory Alton

This article looks through the Approved Documents available that help provide practical guidance to complying with the Building Regulations 2010 (England & Wales).

Whenever electrical work is undertaken on domestic premises in England or Wales it must comply with the particular requirements of Part P of the Building Regulations 2010 (England & Wales) as amended. In addition, all other Parts of the Building Regulations relevant to the work must also be satisfied. Practical guidance on ways to comply with the requirements in the Building Regulations is contained in a series of ‘Approved Documents’ ADs. This article looks at some of the ADs that may be applicable to electrical work.

Separate ADs are published for England and for Wales, covering each of the Parts detailed in Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 (England & Wales) as amended.

Approved Document A, Structure

The process of electrical installation work in domestic premises generally results in some disturbance to the fabric of the building. For example, to route cables and fix equipment and accessories it may be necessary to lift floorboards, make chases in walls and drill holes through ceilings, walls and joists. Therefore, contractors should comply with the recommendations given in this AD so that when such work is undertaken it does not adversely affect the safety of the property by damaging or weakening building structures or reducing their ability to resist the spread of fire and smoke.

Approved Document B, Fire safety

Among other fire safety recommendations, this AD provides guidance on the provision of fire detection and fire alarm systems for new and materially altered dwellings, including the type and positioning of detectors. The recommendations are generally based on BS 5839-6: 2013, and the installation of one or more smoke alarms should be certificated separately in accordance with BS 5839-6. To minimise the spread of fire and smoke, openings made to install cables, recessed lighting or ventilation fans should be appropriately sealed.

For typical domestic premises, a Grade D, Category LD2 system, as shown in fig 1, is the minimum standard recommended for protection of life against fire (Clause 9 of BS 5839-6: 2013 refers). NICEIC Snags and Solutions 5 (Domestic fire detection and alarm systems) gives more information on this topic.

Approved Documents L1A & L1B, Conservation of fuel and power

Guidance on meeting the requirements of Part L for dwellings is provided by two separate Approved Documents; L1A, applicable to new dwellings and L1B, applicable to existing dwellings (supported by the Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide).

Contractors undertaking electrical work in dwellings generally need to be aware of these recommendations when installing lighting (internal and external), electric heating and heating controls. For example, in the living accommodation of dwellings, three out of four lighting fittings should be of low energy, that is containing lamps with a luminous efficacy greater than 45 lumens per circuit watt, whilst external lighting should be provided with automatic controls to minimise the risk of lights being inadvertently left on.

Approved Document M, Access to and use of buildings

Approved Document M recommends appropriate mounting heights for light switches, socket-outlets and other equipment to assist those people whose reach is limited to use the dwelling more easily.

For new dwellings, this can be achieved by wall-mounting electrical equipment in habitable rooms at between 450 mm and 1200 mm above the finished floor level and mounting consumer units so that the switches are between 1350 and 1450 mm above the finished floor level. Approved Documents and associated guidance are subject to change so contractors need to ensure that reference is made to the relevant current documents.

Source: https://www.voltimum.co.uk/articles/complying-building-regulations-2010

Published in Blog

No Comments

EU climate plans ignore the F-gas regulations

Tuesday, 11 June 2019 by Cory Alton

EPEE has accused EU members of failing to address the potential of HVACR in their National Energy & Climate Plans (NECPs) and ignoring the importance of the F-gas regulations.

The National Energy & Climate Plans (NECPs) detail what objectives, policies and measures they are aiming to put in place from 2021 to 2030 in order to reach the EU’s goals and achieve the climate goals of the Paris Agreement.

Following an initial analysis, EPEE says that most NECPs not only lack detail and ambition, but also fail to address the potential of HVACR in helping to deliver on their climate and energy goals.

In addition, EPEE argues that despite being key to European emission reductions, only half of member states mention the F-gas regulation in their NECPs.

“As illegal trade of refrigerants is increasingly being reported, proper and systematic enforcement of the F-gas regulation should be prioritised at national level in order to ensure the safe and efficient operation of HVACR equipment,” EPEE says in a list of recommendations.

It calls for “more dissuasive fines and penalties” across the HFC supply chain in case of non-compliance, stricter controls at EU borders and increased reporting of illegal trade including online trade.

“Illegal imports and the consequent placing on the market of such refrigerants do not only pose a major reliability and safety hazard for installers and users but are already putting at risk the achievement of the ambitious CO2-equivalent reduction goals set by the F-gas regulation.”

EPEE also recommends that member states consider the implementation of the F-gas regulation as a key pillar in their national long-term renovation strategies.

It calls on the EU members to tap into the full potential of technical building systems, ensure stronger and more effective market surveillance, harness the development of smart appliances for electricity market flexibility and promote the concept of thermal energy recovery.

EPEE (The European Partnership for Energy and the Environment) represents the interests of the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump industry in Europe.

Source: https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/eu-climate-plans-ignore-the-f-gas-regulations/

Published in Blog

No Comments

Timeline needed for mandatory electrical safety checks

Tuesday, 04 June 2019 by Cory Alton

ELECTRICAL SAFETY First calls for timeline from the government regarding mandatory electrical safety checks in the private rented sector.

Electrician working

Chief executive at Electrical Safety First Phil Buckle commented, “The Government’s decision to commit to introducing mandatory electrical safety checks in the private rented sector – after years of campaigning by Electrical Safety First – was a welcome step in improving the safety of private tenants in England. The recent, tragic death of Professor Alliston, who died of electrocution in the garden of his rented property, illustrates the importance of this essential safety requirement.

Electrical Safety First is extremely concerned that the Government has not yet provided a time-scale to implement these checks, particularly since it announced its intention of doing so last year.

It is essential that the Government provides clarity in relation to electrical inspections in the private rented sector, both in terms of timeline and how these inspections will be enforced.

We also want to emphasise the importance of ensuring that the enforcement body is funded sufficiently to undertake its work effectively and the importance of using a competent, qualified and registered electrician to undertake such checks.”

Technique currently offer electrical courses to make you fully compliant to work in domestic properties meaning you can beat the rush and prepare yourself for the new work that will come from the new legislation. Visit our Electrical page: https://learntechnique.com/product-category/electrical/ to browse the range.

Source: https://www.fsmatters.com/mandatory-electrical-safety-checks

Published in Blog

No Comments

Users warned of forthcoming R404A refrigerant ban

Wednesday, 29 May 2019 by Cory Alton

UK: DEFRA has issued warnings of new F-gas rules that will ban virgin high GWP refrigerants, like R404A, in systems of 40 tonnes CO2e or more from 1 January 2020.

Under the European F-gas phase down timetable, virgin HFC refrigerant with a GWP greater than 2500 will be banned from being used to service or refill refrigeration or freezer systems, with a refrigerant charge size of 40 tonnes of CO2e or more. This equates to around 10.2kg of R404A, a common refrigerant in medium sized systems. Smaller and hermetically sealed systems should be unaffected by this ban.

In addition to the commonly used R404A, the ban will also include R507 and the R22 replacement gas R422D, both of which have GWPs in excess of 2500. The ban applies across Europe.

This rule also applies to companies who may have stockpiled these refrigerants before that date. Reclaimed or recycled refrigerant will still be able to be used until 2030.

DEFRA warns that operators who do not comply with the service ban are breaking the law and are liable for enforcement action. Regulators in England and Scotland can now issue civil penalties up to £200,000 to operators found to have breached the requirements of the regulation. Enforcem

ent notices and possible fines can also be applied by enforcing authorities in Northern Ireland and Wales for breaches of F-gas provisions.

Source: https://www.coolingpost.com/uk-news/users-warned-of-forthcoming-r404a-refrigerant-ban/

Published in Blog

No Comments

Fire detection and alarm systems in dwellings to BS 5839-6: 2013

Thursday, 23 May 2019 by Cory Alton

A fire detection and alarm system can significantly improve the safety of occupants in dwellings by operating automatically and alerting occupants, especially those asleep, to the outbreak of fire. For these reasons, requirements for the provision of systems to provide early warning of fire are incorporated into UK building regulations.

Fig 1 Example of a Grade D, LD2 installed in a typical two-storey dwelling.

Whilst the particular requirements may vary in different parts of the UK and will be dependent on a number of factors such as the nature of the occupants, and the size, construction and layout of the building. Where a fire detection and alarm system is installed in domestic premises it should be designed, installed and commissioned in accordance with BS 5839-6: 2013 Code of practice for the design installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems within domestic premises.

For the purpose of life protection, Table 1 of BS 5839-6 recommends that at least a Grade D system, Category LD2 standard is installed in all new or materially altered single-family dwellings of typical construction. (Typically, a dwelling three-story or less with no floor area greater than 200 m².)

As shown in Fig 1, the fire system should be comprised of at least:

one smoke alarm located in every circulation space (hallway/landing) on each storey,
one alarm (smoke or carbon monoxide) in the principal habitable room, and
one heat alarm in the kitchen.

Note: A principal habitable room is a room that is used frequently by the occupants of a dwelling for general daytime living purposes.

Wiring

In accordance with clause 15.5 fire detectors (smoke alarms and heat detectors) should be permanently connected to a circuit; either an independent circuit as shown in Fig 1 or a regularly used local lighting circuit, and all detectors should be interconnected so that the operation of any one of them causes operation of the alarm signal in all of them. (clause 13.2(c) refers).

Any cable suitable for domestic wiring may be used for the power supply and the interconnections. However, to avoid the possibility of confusion, interlinking conductors operating at extra-low voltage should be readily distinguishable from those, such as power supplies, operating at 230 V AC (clause 16.5(c)). Identification of all conductors should be in accordance with Table 51 of BS 7671.

Interconnection of the components of a Grade D system may be achieved by the use of radio-links rather than cables, where this is intended guidance is given in clause 21.

Types of Detector

The type of detector chosen should take into account the risk of unwanted (false) alarms. Table 1 provides a brief summary of the main types of detector appropriate for dwellings, detailed guidance on detectors is contained in Section 10 of BS 5839-6.

A heat alarm is not designed to provide warning of the presence of smoke and so should not be used instead of a smoke alarm to prevent unwanted alarm. A multi-sensor fire detector combines the characteristics of different types of detector and as such can help to minimise the risk of false alarms.

Siting of fire detectors

Clause 11.2 recommends smoke alarms are located in circulation spaces not more than:

3 m from every bedroom door, and
in circulation spaces more than 7.5 m long, no point within the circulation spaceshould be more than 7.5 m from the nearest smoke alarm.

All detectors should be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Ceiling mounted detectors should be sited at least 300 mm from any wall or light fittings, but not directly above heaters or air-conditioning vents. If ceiling mounting is impracticable, wall mounting may be possible but the bottom of the detection element must be above the level of any door opening (clause 11.2).

All detectors should be positioned so that they are accessible for maintenance and testing purposes, and should not be sited above staircases or in any other location that may be difficult or unsafe to access.

Certification

The installation of a Grade D fire detection and fire alarm system forms part of the fixed electrical installation so the installation of the wiring and fixed equipment must be inspected tested and certificated in accordance with BS 7671. Where appropriate a minor works electrical installation certificate may be used.

In addition to the electrical certification, a certificate appropriate for the type of building and grade of fire alarm system should also be issued to confirm that the fire detection and alarm system has been designed, installed and commissioned in accordance with BS 5839-6. As shown in Fig 2, for such purposes, the NICEIC Certificate of Design, Installation and Commissioning of a Fire Detection and Alarm System of Grade B, C, D, E, or F in Domestic Premises may be used.

The updated NICEIC and ELECSA publication, snags and solutions Part 5: Domestic Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems to BS 5839 (3rd Edition), provides guidance on the design, installation, inspection, testing, commissioning and maintenance of fire alarm systems within domestic and similar premises.

Source: https://www.voltimum.co.uk/articles/fire-detection-and-alarm-systems-1

Published in Blog

No Comments

We can make the Apprenticeship Levy work for you!

Wednesday, 22 May 2019 by Cory Alton

Whether you’re paying the apprenticeship levy or not, apprenticeships are a great option for businesses. Apprenticeships:

Increase productivity
Bring fresh ideas to your business.
Help develop new skills.
Increase staff engagement.
Improve staff retention rates.
Upskill existing staff (Apprenticeships are for any existing or new employee aged 16 to 65!)

However, despite the above business and personal benefits, it’s no secret that employers aren’t spending their levy.

Businesses with a wage bill over £3 million have been paying the apprenticeship levy since April 2017. But although they’re handing over hard-earned cash, employers don’t seem in a rush to make the most of their levy funds. In fact, only 13.7% of the levy has been spent on training – leaving £2.3 billion in the pot. All unspent funds left in employers’ levy accounts are wiped after 24 months, meaning most employers are slowly starting to lose money from their NAS accounts every month.

Barriers

The apprenticeship levy was a brand-new policy when it was brought in, so this slow start was to be expected. Employers had to get their head around the levy, figure out an apprenticeship strategy, and start the process of training apprentices within their business. It was a huge undertaking, and apprenticeship starts fell by 199,100 in one year – from 495,000 starts in 2016/17 academic year to 376,000 in 2017/18. This decline was attributed to the change in funding system, so the Government made a few policy updates to make the system more flexible to include:

The amount of time given to employers to spend their funds was extended from 18 months to 24.
The levy reallocation limit was increased from 10% to 25%.

This increase in levy allocation marked a big change of heart from the Government. When the levy was first introduced, levy funds couldn’t be transferred between employers. They then relaxed the rules so employers could transfer 10% of their funds, and this has been upped again to 25%. It’s far from the 100% transfers many employers wanted, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Levy-payers who don’t spend or transfer their funds within 24 months will have the expired funds removed from their NAS accounts. These expired funds are then allocated to SMEs – so either way, the levy is being spent on apprenticeship training.

How Technique Learning Solutions can help

Technique Learning Solutions want to help employers maximise and unlock the potential benefits of apprenticeship delivery. Our specialist team will assist your organisation through the whole process from enrolment and administration to delivery, monitoring and successful completion of apprenticeship qualifications.

At Technique we off a range of Engineering and Generic apprenticeships to Levy paying companies; these can be viewed here: https://learntechnique.com/apprenticeships/.

We pride ourselves on our ability to make the apprenticeships flexible and tailored to meet the specific needs of individual employers. Unlike colleges and many other academic establishments, we are not restricted by yearly timetables allowing Technique to enrol and deliver year-round tuition that best suits business needs.

Published in Blog

No Comments

EC quizzed over illegal refrigerant trade

Friday, 17 May 2019 by Cory Alton

EUROPE: MEPs continue to question the European Commission over its failure to stem the trade in quota-busting illegal refrigerants.

In a written question, MEP Jo Leinen of the German Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats has asked for clarification from the Commission on the steps being taken to tackle the “burgeoning’ illegal trade in refrigerants.

Leinen, a shadow rapporteur during the formulation of the latest F-gas regulations (517/2014), asks what measures the Commission can take to reach out to member states where the illicit trade in refrigerants primarily takes place? He also questions whether the Commission is cooperating with national authorities and seeking to better enforce customs checks?

The MEP maintains that the illegal trade, which, he says, is mainly coming in from Asia, is jeopardising the goals of the F-gas regulation and the phase-down mechanism. He asks whether the Commission will seek to work with its Asian counterparts to identify and track exports of refrigerants destined for the EU market?

The question was placed on April 16. Questions are normally answered within six weeks.

Nonsense

In December, Lithuanian MEP Rolandas Paksas accused the European Commission of making a “nonsense” of the F-gas quota system over its failure to tackle the issue of illegal F-gas imports, which was costing millions of euros in lost taxes.

He asked why the Commission was not taking “urgent interim” measures to combat illegal imports of bulk HFC gases and equipment, and if, and when, it planned to impose stricter controls at the EU’s borders?

In response, Arias Cañete, EU commissioner for Energy and Climate Action said the Commission would promote best practices for enforcement and continue to pass on information regarding potential illegal trade to member states for their follow-up. In addition, he said, the Commission would compare 2018 data from Eurostat and elsewhere to analyse the extent and potential sources of illegal trade.

Source: https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/ec-quizzed-over-illegal-refrigerant-trade/

Published in Blog

No Comments

Additions or alterations

Thursday, 16 May 2019 by Cory Alton

Most domestic electrical installations usually require one or more additions or alterations during their lifetime. However, before undertaking such work it is important to confirm the safety and adequacy of the existing installation.

For many smaller installations, especially domestic installations, verification is normally a matter of confirming that all installed protective devices have a greater rated braking capacity than the maximum value of prospective fault current determined for the installation.

Additions or alterations to typical domestic installation generally range from relatively minor works, such as the addition of a socket-outlet to an existing final circuit or the repositioning of a lighting point, to those involving the addition of one or more new final circuits and/or the replacement of a consumer unit. However, irrespective of the work proposed, the safety of the existing electrical installation needs to be assessed to confirm that it is safe for the work to proceed. Regulation 132.16 of BS 7671requires that no addition or alteration, temporary or permanent, is made to an existing installation, unless:

• the rating and the condition of any existing equipment, including that of the distributor, are adequate, for the altered circumstances, and
• the earthing and bonding arrangements, if necessary for the protective measure applied for the safety of the addition or alteration, are adequate.

The relationship between the protective device and the cable

Where inadequacies, such as mechanical or thermal damage, are identified with the intake equipment and its enclosures, the person ordering the work should be advised to inform the distributor and/or meter operator, as appropriate.

Where, a dangerous or potentially dangerous situation is discovered in the existing installation (such as the absence of protective bonding where the method of fault protection is ADS), the addition or alteration should not proceed and the client should be advised immediately of the safety issue. To satisfy the duties imposed by the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 the details of the safety issue and action required should be given to the client (or person acting on their behalf); this may be achieved by the issue of an Electrical Danger Notification form.

Whilst compliance with Regulation 132.16 may confirm that it is safe for the addition or alteration to proceed, depending on the particular installation and the nature of the addition or alteration, there may be a range of practicalities that need to be discussed with the client. For example, new circuits may be required but the existing consumer unit may have no spare ways or may not be a suitable type of unit to install an RCD or RCBO. As cables are normally concealed in domestic installations additional protection will normally be required. Especially, considering the requirements of Regulation 411.3.3 for socket-outlets not exceeding 32 A and supplies to mobile equipment intended for use outdoors, and Regulation 411.3.4, which applies to circuits supplying luminaires within domestic premises.

Whilst the RCD providing additional protection may be installed at the point where the new work is connected to the existing installation, if a number of circuits require additional protection it may be more beneficial to upgrade the existing consumer unit. These types of practical options should be discussed and agreed with the client before the work is undertaken.

Comments on the existing installation

Whilst there is no requirement to carry out a formal inspection of parts of an existing installation unrelated to the work to which the certificate applies, any defects observed in parts of the existing installation, unrelated to the addition or alteration being carried, that may give rise to danger, should be recorded on the certificate under ‘Comments on the existing installation’ (Regulation 644.1.2). Any defect relating to the circuits or equipment that from part of the addition or alteration must be corrected before the new work is put into service.

If there is reason to believe that unrelated parts of the existing installation are in an unsatisfactory condition, you should recommend to the client that the installation (or the appropriate part of it) is inspected and tested, and an Electrical Installation Condition Report is issued.

Certification of an addition or alteration

On completion of an addition or alteration including the replacement of a consumer unit an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or Domestic Electrical Installation Certificate (DEIC) should be issued to the person ordering the work. The certificate is issued to provide a formal declaration that the work has been undertaken in accordance with the relevant requirements of BS 7671 (current at the time the work was undertaken) and does not impair the safety of the existing installation. Where an addition or alteration to an existing installation does not include the provision of a new circuit a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) may be issued (Regulation 644.4.201 refers). A separate MEIWC should be issued for each circuit that has been added to or altered.

Compliance with Part P of the Building Regulations

In addition to the certification required by BS 7671, for certain electrical installations deemed ‘notifiable’ under Part P, a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate must be issued to the owner/occupier of the premises to confirm that the work complies with the relevant parts of the Building Regulations.

In accordance with Paragraph 2.5 of the 2013 Approved Document for use in England, where electrical work is carried out in a dwelling or its surroundings, notification must be provided for the following:

• installation of a new circuit,
• replacing a consumer unit, or
• an addition or alteration to an existing circuit in a special location.

Note: For work undertaken in Wales, the 2006 edition of Approved Document P (incorporating 2010 amendments) remains applicable and so work in Wales should continue to be notified according to that document. For Approved
Documents refer to www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200135/ approved_documents

Source: https://www.voltimum.co.uk/articles/additions-or-alterations

Published in Blog

No Comments

Net zero target demands tougher action on F-gas non-compliance

Wednesday, 08 May 2019 by Cory Alton

Further F-gas emission reductions and tougher action on non-compliance will be required if the UK is to achieve a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050.

The contribution of the refrigeration and air conditioning sector is a key element of today’s report – Net Zero – The UK’s contribution to stopping global warming – published by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).

The CCC report calls for a more stringent decarbonisation target, urging net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The committee maintains that the new target can be delivered for about the same cost as the current 80% target.

While the UK is committed to reductions under the EU F-gas regulation, delivering a reduction of 68% in F-gas emissions between 2015 and 2030, the CCC report says further reductions will be required in order to reduce F-gas emissions to near zero by 2050.

Compliance measures

“Existing and future F-gas regulations will only deliver the expected abatement if appropriate compliance measures are in place,” the report says.

The report supports concerns raised by the government’s Environmental Audit Committee, which claimed last year that the Environment Agency is under-resourced and failing to adequately investigate “large levels of non-compliance” with the F-gas regulations.

The CCC recommends increasing the number of inspections, expanding training for workers who handle refrigerants, and regularly reviewing the effectiveness of the compliance regime, including the impact of new civil penalties for F-gas breaches.

It also calls for increased training and certification for F-gas users. In particular it recognises that the current F-gas regulations and MAC directive do not require retrospective training for workers trained under previous regulations, and allows untrained members of the public to top-up their own car air conditioning units with high GWP refrigerants.

“The Government should consult with industry and bring forward proposals to ensure that all those who handle refrigerants have up-todate training,” it says.

Modest potential

The report sees only “modest potential” to reduce RACHP emissions further and faster than the EU F-gas regulation. This potential lies in deploying equipment that can use lower-GWP refrigerants, such as hydrocarbons or CO2, replacing the high-GWP refrigerants in some existing equipment with lower-GWP refrigerants, and reducing leakage rates further. These changes are seen as marginally cost saving but are of small size, leading to emissions reductions of around 2MtCO2e in 2050.

The committee recognises that some areas of the RACHP market are already making “very good” progress in adopting ultra-low GWP alternative refrigerants, particularly in small sealed and multi-compressor commercial refrigeration, chillers and mobile air conditioning units in cars and vans.

Some sectors, however, have no current low GWP alternative. R32 is expected to be the dominant HFC refrigerant in 2040 but there is little current progress towards an alternative, the report says.

“For small systems, hydrocarbon refrigerants such as propane are a good option, but high flammability limits the proportion of the market that can safely use hydrocarbon refrigerants,” the report says. “It is unlikely that more than 25% of the small sized air-conditioning market and 50% of the residential heat pump market could use hydrocarbons. There is little likelihood of an ultra-low-GWP refrigerant with similar properties to HFC32 becoming available.”

Source: https://www.coolingpost.com/uk-news/net-zero-target-demands-tougher-action-on-f-gas-non-compliance/

Published in Blog

No Comments

Tradesmen fined for shoddy electrical work which could have cost lives

Tuesday, 07 May 2019 by Cory Alton

Two traders have been fined £2,000 as their ‘shoddy’ electrical work could have ‘put lives at risk’.

Kevin John Wakefield was hired to build an extension and install electrics at a house in Dunns Bank, Quarry Bank in 2016 – but when he finished the job, the householder was plagued with problems and when an extension lead caught fire, the power failed to trip out.

After complaints from the home owner, 55-year-old Wakefield, trading as Beta Home Improvements, asked his former brother-in-law to check the electrical work and issue the necessary Electrical Installation Certificate.

Paul Lloyd, 48, trading as P Lloyd Electrical, issued a certificate on August 14, 2017, which displayed the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) logo – even though he was not, and never had been, registered with the organisation.

As problems persisted, the frustrated householder arranged for another electrician to test the electrical installation.

A host of issues were uncovered and the electrician had to disconnect one circuit as it was considered dangerous.

Wolverhampton Magistrates Court (Image: Graham Bedingfield)

The findings led to concerns about the validity of the certificate issued by Lloyd and the case was referred to Dudley Council’s trading standards team for investigation.

Wakefield and Lloyd both pleaded guilty to offences involving a banned practice, misleading actions and professional diligence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, when they appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court on April 11.

Magistrates said it was “an appalling case” that “could have put people’s lives at risk” and fined the pair £2,000.

Wakefield, of Beeches Close, Kingswinford , was also ordered to pay £1,144 costs, £819 compensation and a victim surcharge of £170, while Lloyd, of Gospel Ash Road, Bobbington, must pay £1,144 costs, £569 compensation and a victim surcharge of £170.

After the hearing, Martin Samuels, Dudley Council’s strategic director for people, said: “ This result should be seen as a warning to any trader tempted to use logos or quality marks that they have no right to use – a practice specifically banned by law.

“In this case, shoddy electrical work could have put the residents’ safety at risk and it is right that these traders have been brought to task for shirking their responsibilities.”

Source: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/tradesmen-fined-shoddy-electrical-work-16157686

Published in Blog

No Comments