Time to Move on Safety Switches
In a tragic period of just 17 days in January 2009, there were three electrocutions in and around Perth. In all instances, the victims most likely would not have received a fatal electric shock if the circuits had been protected by Safety Switches. Also, in all cases, Safety Switches were installed in other parts of the installations, but not on the circuits involved.
Director of Energy Safety in WA, Ken Bowren, has urged electrical contractors to draw their clients’ attention to the importance of having two Safety Switches installed as normal circuit breakers or fuses will not protect them against electric shock.
To facilitate this Mr Bowren has written a letter to the householder drawing their attention to the importance of these vital safety devices. It is intended that electrical contractors provide a copy of this letter to their clients when attending their premises. A copy of the letter can be found on the EnergySafety website.
Installation of RCD Safety Switches in residential premises.
Results from an analysis of electricity related fatalities over the last 16 years have shown that 31 out of 36 fatalities would not have occurred if an RCD had been installed.
This analysis has resulted in EnergySafety, who is the technical and safety regulator of the energy industry in Western Australia, preparing draft regulations that will likely be in force in 2009.
It is already mandatory that residential premises constructed after 1 January 2000 have at least 2 RCDs installed. These new regulations will require that premises constructed before this date must now comply before they are sold or re-tenanted. Premises not occupied by the owner must comply in any event within 24 months of the regulations being in force. This also applies to switchboards servicing common property in strata schemes.
Further information regarding the proposed regulations can be found at www.docep.wa.gov.au/energysafety
New smoke alarm legislation
New regulations relating to the installation of mains-powered smoke alarms is currently being developed.
In simple terms, the regulations will require that homes and rental properties have mains-powered smoke alarms professionally installed before they can be sold or re-tenanted.
These regulations relate to the Local Government Act (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment (Smoke Alarms) Act 2007, which commenced on 8 January 2008.
It is expected that these regulations will be passed as law in early 2009.
Further information can be obtained at www.fesa.wa.gov.au
Electrical Installation Safety Assessment Scheme
Energy Safety is presently planning regulations to establish a home electrical installation safety assessment scheme. This scheme will allow participating electrical contractors to undertake electrical installations safety assessments and prepare a report confirming that the electrical installation is safe to use or list any defects and recommending remedial action required to make the installation safe.
Buyers making an offer to purchase a property will be able to add a condition to real estate contracts similar to subject to finance or subject to a building and termite inspection. It is also beneficial for home owners or tenants who just want to know whether their home is safe.
Home owners warned of downlight danger
An article posted on the ABC website has warned home owners about the dangers of installing downlights themselves. Another reason to always use a licensed electrician.
Charlie Hoare from the Office of the Technical Regulator in South Australia says downlights are a particular concern, as they have the potential to cause house fires.
He says the consequences can be severe if lights are installed wrongly.
"We've done tests on the lights and recorded temperatures of up to 300 degrees Celsius so it's fairly hot," he warned.
"If they're in close proximity to structural timbers or if they're covered in thermal insulation and it could even be leaves or rodents' nests in the roof, these are what catches fire and creates the problem."