Electrical Safety Policy

1. Introduction

1.2. This policy includes the repair, upgrading, testing and inspection of all fixed electrical installations including;

• Domestic electrical installations
• Communal landlord installations
• Emergency lighting systems
• Fixed fire or carbon monoxide alarm installations
• Door entry systems
• Electrical heating systems
• Communal Automatic Opening Vent systems
• CCTV systems
• Lightning protection systems

1.3. How we will protect our employees, contractors, visitors and residents as required by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1999 and all related regulations listed in section 6.

1.4. This policy is not intended to provide detailed technical guidance on electrical safety. Interested parties should refer to the key legislation and technical guidance in section 6.

2. Policy Statement

2.1. Our Chief Executive holds the legal responsibility of the duty holder[1].  However, they have nominated the Operations Business Manager - Electrical, as the person to oversee the implementation of compliance against this policy and any associated procedures.  They will minimise the risks and manage electrical safety within the domestic and commercial assets under our management.

[1] The person with primary responsibility for H&S within Fairhive Homes Limited

2.2. We will meet our legal obligations as a landlord and seek to provide assurance that electrical safety is adequately managed, ensuring the safety of our residents, contractors, employees and the general public.

2.3. We will ensure that electrical installations in our dwellings are installed, maintained and serviced to the required standards and that they are inspected at appropriate intervals to minimise the risk of fire, damage to property, injury and/or death.

2.4. We will test our homes and communal installations in accordance with regulations and industry best practice guides.

2.5. We will ensure that all properties hold a valid electrical installation condition report (EiCR) safety certificate.

2.6. We will carry out a full electrical installation condition report (EiCR) at each occupancy change (including mutual exchange), ensuring fixed electrical wiring and any supplied equipment is safe for use before re-letting. A copy of the EiCR will be issued to the incoming resident.

2.7. We will keep accurate records, including all certification, condition reports and asset information up to date.

2.8. We will appoint only competent, qualified and accredited / registered electrical contractors in the delivery of electrical testing, repairs, upgrades and the provision of new installations for both our DLO and Contractors.

2.9. We will provide appropriate training to ensure relevant employees have up-to-date knowledge of legislative requirements and best practice through a mixture of tool box talks, e-learning and webinars, refresher and new technology/industry update trainings.

2.10. We will ensure the safety of our employees in office locations by undertaking either annual or risk assessment based Portable Appliance Testing on all portable electrical equipment.

2.11. All portable appliances owned by us will receive Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) annually or more frequently should any risk assessment deem it necessary. We are not responsible for resident owned portable appliances, leasehold or shared ownership dwellings. Appropriate recording and labelling of equipment will be undertaken in accordance with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994.

2.12. We will seek to raise awareness of electrical safety amongst our residents, including their responsibilities in terms of their own personal safety.

2.13. We will ensure all communal lighting and emergency lighting is inspected and tested in accordance with the relevant legislation with appropriate records kept.

2.14. We will ensure all fire and CO2 detection systems are inspected and tested in accordance with the relevant regulations and appropriate records are kept.

2.15. We will ensure all door entry systems and CCTV systems are regularly serviced and maintained with appropriate records kept.

2.16. Where a rewire is undertaken within a kitchen or bathroom refurbishment new wiring will be chased into the walls where possible and decent homes standard adhered to (i.e. number of sockets supplied) where possible and space permits.  The following table is taken from: Electrical Safety First – Minimum provision of electrical socket-outlets in the home Table 1

2.17. When a rewire is required within a domestic dwelling all new wiring will be surface mounted within trunking when a flush installation is deemed to be not possible.

2.18. A rewire of a property will be completed after 40 years although this will be extended as necessary if the wiring remains in a satisfactory condition after an EiCR

2.19. Existing Compact fluorescent lighting within kitchens / bathrooms will be replaced when deemed beyond economical repair & replaced for LED equivalents.  The LED fittings will be maintenance free.

2.20. All works relating to responsive repairs or planned works will be carried out by competent persons and will comply with the latest edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations (BS 7671), Electricity, Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 and part P of the Building Regulations. The relevant completion certificates will be completed, verified and retained for records.

2.21. All fixtures and fittings will be in line with our specification, which is reviewed periodically to ensure value for money. Where we cannot adhere to the specification, a suitable alternative will be used which as a minimum meets the quality and regulatory standards as set out in our specifications.

2.22. All Automatic Opening Vents (AOV’s) will be tested, serviced and maintained in accordance with relevant regulations and legislation and accurate records kept.

3. Electrical Testing Frequency 

3.1. There is no legally stipulated frequency for electrical checks for Domestic properties. In terms of periodic testing, we have adopted the timescales included within the Institute of Engineering Technology Guidance Note 3 - Inspection and Testing.

Note: EiCR’s will be subject to a 5 yearly cycle unless at time of testing it is deemed necessary to reduce this and test more frequently. This will be at the discretion of the testing electrician.

1.1. Where we undertake works to electrical systems that are classed as ‘new installations’, ‘additional’ or an ‘alteration’, e.g. where a complete rewire is required or a new fuse box installed, we will ensure that an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate is issued, verified and records kept. All required works will be notified & registered with Building Control.

1.2. On completion of an EiCR, the contractor or operative will provide certification in the form of an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). All recommendations will be reviewed and works arranged as necessary. 

Electrical works identified on the EICR are recorded using the following categories:

All Code C1 will be actioned immediately (prior to leaving the property) C2 recommendations will be actioned as a matter of urgency (within 28 days). Code C3 and Code F1 recommendations will be reviewed and actioned as appropriate. 

4. Monitoring

4.1. This policy and its associated procedures will be reviewed on a 3-yearly basis but will be reviewed earlier if there are legislative changes. 

5. Impacts

Resident/Employee Implications —

We will communicate to all residents the importance of electrical safety, and enforce access for safety inspections to ensure resident safety.

We will ensure that all relevant employees are suitably trained to allow them to safely undertake their duties relating to this policy and associated procedures.  We will have suitable procedures to ensure all adhere to this policy.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion — 

We will ensure that all residents, visitors and personnel are safe when working, living or visiting one of our properties, in line with our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy. 

Value for Money — 

The cost and quality of electrical installations has been considered in producing this policy alongside the key aim of ensuring the safety of our residents, contractors, employees and the general public.

Data Protection — 

A data sharing agreement is in place between us and any contractor used to enable correspondence to be sent to residents to book appointments. Our in-house operatives and office-based employees are required to complete online learning for understanding and compliance with data sharing.

Accountability — 

We will take on responsibility for the H&S and maintenance of all fixed electrical and portable appliances owned and managed by us ensuring it complies with the necessary legal requirements and standards. We will also ensure all employees and contractors working on and within our assets are suitably qualified and trained for the tasks they are performing.

Quality — 

We look to ensure that our residents are safe in their own home by supporting the provision of well-maintained homes which are in line with legislative and regulatory requirements.

When things go wrong — 

Residents can communicate concerns through our formal channels: via telephone, email, our website or our social media channels.

6. Related Legislation and other Documents:

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1999

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)

Defective Premises Act 1972

Landlord and Tenant Act 1985

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016

Building Regulations (Part P)

Electricity, Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002

18th edition of IEE Wiring Regulations BS7671: 2008, as amended

IET Guidance Note 3 – Inspection and Testing