Saturday, November 30, 2019

Electrical Safety Certificate – Your Home Safety Checklist

How safe is your home? You can never truly tell until you have it thoroughly inspected by a qualified professional. One of the crucial inspections you must do is the electrical safety check. It will provide a domestic electrical safety certificate that will be helpful for different applications, such as ensuring the safety of electrical wiring and equipment. It’s also a good idea to produce an electrical certificate if you are planning to sell or rent out the property, or if you want to qualify for property insurance. Discerning home buyers may also consider having an electrical safety check done before they purchase or rent a property.

Think of the electrical safety certificate as a means for ensuring that all electrical installations and wirings in your home are safe and in will not put you at risk of accidents, fires, and shock. It will come with a comprehensive electrical report that can be helpful every ten years for fixed wire testing. This service is also available to landlords to ensure tenants of the safety of the rental property. Different kinds of electrical testing are available to landlords, and these include the PAT certificate, fixed wire testing, emergency light reports, and fire alarm inspection. All these certificates are mandatory in an HMO (House of Multiple Occupancy), while standard rental properties will only require fixed & PAT testings.

Domestic electrical testing may not be a legal requirement. Still, it is commonly requested to give landlords, property owners, tenants, homeowners, and potential buyers the confidence in the safety of the property. Moreover, local councils, authorities, and insurers will typically require the electrical safety certificate. You need to make sure that a qualified electrician will provide the testing and certification.

The cost for domestic electrical safety certificates will vary according to the size of the property, particularly on the number of rooms. Rest assuredthe EICR will be reasonable, and worth the investment if you consider the peace of mind, it will give.

What Makes Electrical Certificate for Landlords So Important?


Landlords can certainly enjoy a steady income from their property rentals, but they do have a lot of legal responsibilities, too—one of which is the need to secure UK electrical certifications. The landlord electrical certificate is among the most important documents that the government expects you to acquire as a property owner. What exactly is it and why is it so essential to get one periodically?

To earn an electrical certificate for landlords, you need to have your new or altered electrical installations inspected by qualified professionals. This document is more than just a piece of paper. It can be great especially if you find yourself in a dispute one day. Here’s why:

1. It helps you fulfil your legal obligations.

Tests are carried out to check if the electrical installations in your property are safe to use or if they pass the stringent standards set by the statutory regulations. It can prove that you are compliant with UK laws and regulations, such as the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1985, the Electrical Equipment and Safety Regulations of 1994, the Housing Act of 2004, and the Plugs and Sockets Safety Regulations of 1994.

2. It helps you spot problems before they become worse.

Prior to issuance of a certificate, your property is thoroughly inspected by an electrician. The test can reveal potential issues such as overloaded equipment, problematic electrical circuits, fire hazards, defective electrical work, and lack of earthing and bonding. Detecting these issues immediately is key to preventing major problems such as a fire.

3. It helps you avoid insurance disputes and legal issues.

In case of fire or electrical-related injuries occurred in your property, your landlord electrical safety certificate can serve as solid proof that you are not neglecting your legal obligations. By showing it to your property insurance provider, you can easily claim your insurance money. Also, with this document at hand, you can avoid paying hefty fines and facing criminal charges.

PAT Testing London: An Easy Process


Unlike the an EICR, PAT testing in London is not a legal requirement. However, it is highly recommended because it is an effective way to prove that you are doing your legal obligations as a landlord or an employer. Through PAT tests, you can guarantee that all electrical appliances in your business premises or property are safe to use and properly maintained—and that you are therefore complying with the law's requirements to keep your employees and tenants away from danger.

The following are the regulations you will meet if you get PAT testing in London:

·         Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974
·         Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989
·         Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations of 1998
·         Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations of 1999

Although any competent person in your staff can do the routine inspections of appliances, it is still best to give this job to a qualified electrician. You can find plenty of third-party providers offering London PAT testing. They can issue your PAT test certificate. 

So, what can you expect during the inspection? PAT testing in London typically involves the following steps:

1. Visual inspection of portable appliances

The first step in PAT testing is a visual check-up. Electricians inspect portable appliances as well as all stationary appliances, computers, cables, and chargers. A visual check-up involves inspecting of the outer parts of the appliances (including flexible cables) for any signs of wear and tear.

2. In-depth check-up using PAT testing equipment

Because some signs of wear and tear cannot be seen with the human eye, a more in-depth inspection is necessary. This time, the electrician will use special equipment to test the earth continuity, lead polarity, and insulation resistance of the appliances.

3. Marking of appliances

At the end of PAT testing, the electrician places stickers on every appliance that has passed the test. Stickers are also placed on those that failed to pass the test. That way, you'll know what needs to be repaired and replaced.

Become a Licensed Electrician in Essex


Want to become a licensed electrician in Essex but don’t know where or how to start? Aspiring electricians can choose from a variety of training routes to become certified and gain the necessary competence and skills. Here are some of the steps you need to take to become a qualified electrician in Essex.

Get a Level 3 Diploma

Before you can start work as a UK electrician, you have to acquire an industry-recognised “level 3” diploma in a relevant area, which you can earn through several official bodies. Accepted qualifications include the following:

·     Level 3 Diploma in Electro-technical Services (Electrical Maintenance)
·     Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations (Buildings and Structures)
·     Level 3 Diploma in Installing Electro-technical Systems & Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment)

Join the apprenticeship scheme or take a college course

To gain any of the industry-recognised level 3 diplomas, you need to undergo an apprenticeship. This is an important step for gaining real-world and practical experiences. The good thing about on-the-job training for aspiring electricians is that you can earn as you learn.

Alternatively, you can choose to get qualified by taking a college course. You can either choose to study full-time or part-time, depending on your preferences. Some training bodies also offer intensive courses designed for those who want to learn the necessary skills quickly.

Get accredited by trusted regulatory boards

After gaining the required level of competence, you have to get accredited by regulatory boards and organisations. This will be your proof that you have the qualifications and that you are suitable for any electrical work. Some of the regulatory boards you can join in are:
·         JIB
·         NICEIC
·         NAPIT 
·         ELESCA

Any type of electrical work must only be done by a qualified electrician in Essex. That's why this career remains lucrative. But with so many electricians offering their services today, consumers have become more selective. They want to make sure that they are hiring professionals who truly have the essential credentials and experience. Thus, getting educated and trained by a reliable institution or body is a must for all aspiring electricians.

Monday, November 11, 2019

How to Choose a Qualified Electrician in London?

The maintenance and inspection of your electrical installations is a job that should be handled by qualified electricians in Essex or London. Doing these tasks yourself is not only dangerous but may also be illegal, as most regulatory boards only accept reports done by certified and registered electricians in London or Essex. Ignoring electrical tests altogether could also lead to loss of life or property—not to mention a host of legal problems.

You certainly need a reliable electrician. But with so many electricians operating in the area, it's not difficult to find one who can truly provide top-rated services. How do you know if you are hiring the right person? If this is the first time that you are using an electrician in London or Essex, then these tips are for you.

Check if the electrician is registered

The first thing you want to know about the potential electrician you are looking to hire is their registration. This will prove that they have relevant training, education, and experience. Qualified electricians meet the strict standards set by any of the three significant electrical governing bodies namely, NAPIT, NICEIC, and ECA. By checking the directory or calling their association, you can verify if the prospective electrician is indeed registered with them.

Request a list of references

Another important step to do is to call their references or at least read client reviews about them. Finding out what previous customers have to say about their work will say a lot about the electrician's experience, professionalism, and overall quality of service. If the electrician is unwilling to show you a list of references, then this could be a red flag. Certified and professional tradespersons are always willing to provide references when asked to prove their reputation and competence.

Choose an electrician who is insured

Always choose a fully insured electrician in Essex or service provider. This way, you are protected against financial liabilities should there be any damage or accidents in your property.

Electrical Safety Certificate: Why Choose a Certified Electrician in London?

As a landlord, you need to hire qualified electricians to perform all the required inspections and tests in your property so that you can secure electrical safety certificates. This is an important step to ensuring your compliance with UK regulations.  

There are many reasons why you should choose registered electricians. For one, they are the only ones who are legally qualified to provide or sign an electrical certificate for landlords. Obviously, electricians who have relevant education and experience can better ensure that the inspection is done properly and safely. They have the right tools and training to complete your electrical compliance certificate.

Just because an electrician is willing to provide you with an electrical certificate for landlord at an affordable price doesn't mean you should hire that person. Price is not everything. If you want to get comprehensive reports and a reliable landlord electrical certificate, you have to look for a competent, experienced, and skilled electrician.

Understanding how one becomes a certified electrician in London can help you in hiring the right professional. Aspiring electricians can take a variety of training routes to become competent and skilled in this field of expertise. Aside from education, they also need an apprenticeship to gain more experience and pass assessments. You can tell that an electrician has acquired an industry-recognised qualification if he/she has the following:

·         A Level 3 Diploma in Electrotechnical Services. (Electrical Maintenance)
·         A Level 3 Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems & Equipment. (Buildings, Structures and the Environment)
·         A Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations. (Buildings and Structures)

After gaining the required level of competence, electricians can register with the following regulatory boards and organizations:
·         JIB (Joint industry Board)
·         NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting)
NAPIT  (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers)