Audrey
Business premises are an expensive investment for any company owner, not only bricks and mortar but also the valuable equipment contained within. With this in mind, it is surprising how many business owners continue to neglect regular electrical maintenance within their premises.
This type of negligence can be incredibly dangerous. Heavily used electrical equipment, in particular, is at risk of not only wear and tear but also overheating, which can lead to equipment damage and eventually equipment failure. This can be devastating for the operation of your business and its profits. Perhaps a more severe problem, like increasing the potential risk of a fire with possible fatalities because of poorly maintained electrical systems.
Because electrical systems and components are some of the most complex systems out there, you really shouldn’t try and fix problems yourself if you’re not qualified to. While some business owners feel they can complete electrical maintenance themselves, it’s much better to hire an electrician in Newcastle. Firstly, because proper inspection takes up much time which as a business owner, is very valuable. Most business owners will not have sufficient time to complete the extensive planning and reporting involved in electrical inspection and maintenance.
Contrastingly, electricians in Newcastle have in-depth knowledge of electrical systems regulations and know the signs to look for when inspecting an electrical system. For example, they know the signs of breakage, wear and tear, overheating, missing parts or loose fittings.
Electricians also have the formal qualifications needed for the repair, troubleshooting and maintenance of different types of electrical systems.
Regular Electrical Inspections Keep your Business Safe and Protected
Not having your electrical system regularly maintained puts you at all sorts of risks. So regularly schedule an inspection and maintenance to:
- Implement energy-saving measures. When inspecting your premises, a trained electrician will be able to suggest energy-saving measures like LED bulbs, high-efficiency motors for heavy-duty machinery, fans or pumps. These will help you save money on your energy bills.
- Keep your business up and running. Business success is reliant on vital equipment running correctly. When an electrician inspects your building, he or she can determine if any repairs need making. Finding such issues early can help prevent disruption further down the line. Repair is usually cheaper than replacement, especially with regards to things like CCTV.
- Keep your workforce safe. Electrical inspections allow early identification of hazards which can then be fixed. While equipment is a considerable asset within a business, it’s people are arguably even more so. Keep your staff safe while reducing your liability to damages.
- Protect your assets. A fire within a business can be devastating, not only putting employee safety at risk but also destroying entire premises and all of its expensive assets within. A high number of fires are down to electrical faults, so don’t be a statistic. Schedule your electrical maintenance soon.
- Keep your insurance valid. If you’re unlucky enough to experience a fire at your business, your insurance policy can become void if you haven’t had a recent electrical inspection. Protect yourself and your business by keeping your electrical inspection and maintenance record up to date.
- Prioritise maintenance and replacement. Maintaining and replacing equipment within your business may seem a daunting task. However, regular electrical maintenance can help you keep track of equipment that needs more investment, reducing the risk of a devastating breakdown. Ultimately, maintenance usually is cheaper than replacement. A card system or logbook can help you keep on top of this.
Things Electrician Newcastle Check While Completing an Inspection
Electricians will check installations according to the requirements outlined in BS 7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations. This is completed as a ‘periodic inspection’ and involves the following:
- Checking earthing and bonding
- Making sure the control gear and switchgear is fit for purpose
- Ensuring all equipment is in a ‘serviceable’ state
- Checking the condition of the wiring
- Seeing whether residual current devices (RCDs) have been installed for sockets where outdoor equipment is plugged into
- Making sure cabling is adequately identified, and essential notices are present
- Checking for damage or wear and tear
- Making sure the electrical system remains suitable if the building has changed in use
These findings are then written up as an electrical installation condition report (EICR). If the condition of the wiring is ‘satisfactory’, no remedial work is suggested. However, if it is found to be ‘unsatisfactory’, several ‘actions to be taken’ will be recorded on a scale between 1 and 4 (1 being the most urgent).
How to Complete your Own Electrical Inspection
Although we always recommend qualified electricians to carry out your electrical maintenance, there are basic things you can do yourself. Including:
- Regularly clean panels using solvents and rags, so they’re free from dust and dirt
- Keep items at least three feet away from electrical panels
- Do not install electrical panels where they could come into contact with moisture and water
- Make sure rooms containing electrical panels don’t become too hot
- Visually inspecting your electrical panels for defects like loose wiring or corrosion
- Scheduling an electrical preventative maintenance program with your local electrician
- Call a qualified electrician to repair components rather than trying to do it yourself
When Did you Last Have your Electrical Equipment Maintained?
The main reasons why businesses should have regular electrical maintenance are that it:
- Helps you save money by identifying where energy-saving measures can be installed, cutting your bills down
- Lowers the risk of your business becoming inoperable due to equipment faults or fires
- Protects your staff from electric shock and fire while protecting your building from fire
- Keeps you organised with a full record of equipment that requires repair or replacement
With this in mind, it is possible to visually inspect your electrics. However, you should also have an electrician Newcastle to complete a periodic inspection from time to time, along with a full condition report. This is the only way to reap all of the benefits of an electrical inspection, as listed above.
How To Take Care Of The Electrical System In Your Home To Ensure Safety
Electricity is a huge part of our lives, from the moment we wake up and use the kettle to make a cup of coffee to charging our phones at night. However, sometimes it can be easy to forget about the importance of ensuring electrical safety. If you don’t take electricity seriously, you could encounter a range of problems in your home. Don’t forget that electricity could be potentially deadly, so it’s vital to take the right precautions. Today we will share our top tips on taking care of the electrical system in your home to help you prevent electrical accidents from occurring.
Be Careful With Damaged Electrical Cables
Firstly, it’s crucial to look out for damaged electrical cables around your home. Not only do they look unsightly, but they can be dangerous as well. There are many reasons why electrical cables and cords may get damaged, such as excessive temperatures, DIY damage, wear and tear, internal damage, or overloading. If you notice that electrical cables are damaged in any way, or they feel warm to the touch, you shouldn’t use them. In this case, it’s advisable to replace them entirely. You may also be able to extend the life of electrical cords by keeping appliances away from sources of heat and water.
Get Professional Help
There are some simple visual checks that you can do to ensure that your electrics are working as they should. You will also need to confirm that the electrical installation in your home is well-maintained with the help of a registered electrician. To find local electricians near you, you might want to search for ‘electricians near me’ using MyBuilder, which allows you to find great tradespeople in your area and read feedback on work they have done. This ensures that you can get support from reliable electricians who can help you maintain a safe and long-lasting electrical system. Next time you need to look for ‘electricians near me’, make sure you check out MyBuilder for the best results.
Stay Vigilant In The Kitchen
The kitchen is where you will find most household electrical appliances, so it’s crucial to stay vigilant at all times. Electrical appliances are often placed near water, which means you should always take extra care when you are using them. For example, it’s advisable to dry your hands before using switches or touching electrical equipment. Whenever you want to clean or repair your appliances, make sure you unplug them first. It’s also important to get rid of grease in your oven, as otherwise, a build-up of grease can turn into a fire hazard.
Use Energy-Saving Devices
Many homeowners are now trying to lower their energy usage and help the environment. One of the best ways you can do this is by using energy-saving devices. There are many great examples of products out on the market that you can take advantage of. For instance, instead of using a tumble dryer to dry your clothes after you have washed them, be sure to opt for a regular clothes dryer. Also, if you have traditional lighting, you can easily replace it with LED bulbs.
Ensure Your Children’s Safety
If you have children, it’s even more important to pay attention to your electrical system. Children at any age are always curious, so you should introduce measures in your home that will help you protect your little ones from shocks or burns. Make sure you block access to wires and electrical cables that your children might want to investigate. It can be a good idea to keep heated appliances out of sight and check that cables are out of reach. You should also start teaching them about the importance of electrical safety early on.
Take A Look At Your Light Switches
It’s also important to be careful if you see any flickering lights or lights that don’t switch on straightaway. If you have been using them for years now, now might be a good time to replace them. Also, you should check if your light switch feels hot, as this could indicate a more serious problem, such as a major issue with the wiring in the walls. Also, when light switches work properly, they are not supposed to many any noise, so you shouldn’t hear any clicking or buzzing.
Unplug Unused Appliances
Finally, unplugging unused appliances is something that many people know that they should do, but it can be easy to forget. However, remember that unplugged appliances are always safer in comparison to the ones that have been left plugged in. Not only is this a great way to save on energy bills, but it can also help you protect your appliances from overheating. If you have sockets that are too far to reach, it might be a good idea to look for energy-saving extension bars or invest in smart plugs.
