Electrical Safety
Keeping your home safe from electrical hazards is crucial. Here is what you need to know about the electrical safety checks and procedures in Council housing properties.
Electrical Safety Checks
We have a legal obligation to ensure that the electrical installation in your property is safe. Here’s what you need to know about our electrical safety checks:
- What is a fixed wire test? This test checks the consumer unit also known as fuse board and all permanent connected wiring in your home including earth cables to gas & water supplies. Accessories like sockets, lights & light switches are also checked. All results are recorded on an Electrical Installation Condition Report.
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR): The Council observes the recommended best practice of ensuring an EICR is carried out every five years. The test can take between two to four hours to complete.
- How often are electrical checks done? In Council houses, electrical fixed wire tests are carried out every five years. Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is carried out in neighbourhood centres on an annual basis.
- What happens after the test? The test will highlight any defects that require fixing in order to keep your home safe. The engineer will ensure to repair any unsafe defects at the time of testing, if this is not possible the installation will be made safe, arrangements will then be made to carry out any necessary repairs.
- Smoke Alarms: During the electrical safety check, we’ll also ensure that your smoke alarms are present and in working order.
Missed Appointments
It’s important to keep your electrical safety check appointment. If you fail to provide access for the check, we may take formal and legal action to gain access to your property. Any costs incurred from taking formal action will be charged to you.
Emergency Procedures
If you experience an electrical emergency, follow these steps:
- Power Cut: If only your home is affected, check your consumer unit for any tripped circuit breakers. If you can’t locate the issue, report the fault to us so we can send an electrician to investigate
- If it’s a full power cut, call 105, this free call will put you in touch with your local Electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO). Or you can visit www.northernpowergrid.com to report or track updates.
- What to do during a power cut: Switch off or unplug any sensitive and expensive electrical appliances, leave a light on to know when power is restored. For more information, please visit National Grid - What to do
Heating Breakdown Troubleshooting
If your heating isn’t working properly, please check:
- If you have a prepayment meter, ensure you have credit
- Try lighting the gas hob or using the gas fire if you have one. If these aren’t working, it may indicate a wider gas supply issue.
- The boiler fused spur is turned on and your display or lights are illuminated.
- The programmer illuminated and set to constant, on or override.
- The boiler pressure gauge. Most boilers require the pressure to be between 1-2 bar to operate.
- The room thermostat. Turn the room thermostat so the temperature is above the current room temperate.
Remember
These safety checks are free in Council houses. It is important to let the engineers into your home when they are scheduled. If you need help understanding this information or have any concerns about electrical safety in your home, contact the Council 01709 336009.
