ESR: helping shape consumer electrical safety
The Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR) is an industry-leading forum bringing together experts with the aim of improving electrical safety in the home. Dominic Robinson, Eland Cables’ Technical Manager, sits on the panel, contributing to debates, research, and campaigns including the analysis of Part P enforcement.
The ESR was founded in June 2012 by NAPIT, the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers, a Government-approved membership scheme operator for the building services and fabric sector. NAPIT currently has over 10,000 UK-based registered installers across electrical, HVAC, plumbing, microgeneration, and building fabric trades, certified under their competent persons scheme.
Having been formed in response to widespread concern over enforcement of Part P of the Building Regulations, the aim of the Electrical Safety Roundtable is twofold – to help consumers make better informed decisions, and to encourage an appraised approach from government and the wider industry. In effect since January 2005, Part P requires work on fixed electrical installations to comply with British Standard BS7671:2008, as set out in the IEE Wiring Regulations (17th Edition). Meeting three times a year, Eland Cables adds its expertise to the discussion so that through specialist research projects, constructive policy debate, and expert advice, it can shape the consumer electrical safety agenda for the better.
At the most recent meeting, the updated report Electrical Safety in the home: Enforcement of Part P of the Building Regulations in England was reviewed. It outlines notifiable works which needs to be carried out by an authorised competent person. The report, one of the largest of its kind, surveyed all local authorities in England, collecting data on current practices - previously only small studies and anecdotal evidence had been available. The panel’s recommendations to Government and the industry are due to be published later in the year.
In addition to special investigations and reports, ESR assists in providing key consumer-facing electrical safety information, covering the safety and legal compliance of installations in homes. This includes the following policies:
- Electrical Certificates for important information about the safety and legal compliance of installations in homes.
- Notifiable Electrical Work which covers the set standards in building regulations for design and construction to ensure the health and safety of people in or around those buildings.
- The Competent Persons Schemes (CPS), which allows individuals and businesses to self-certify that their work is compliant with applicable building regulations.
Eland Cables is proud to provide to be part of the Electrical Safety Roundtable, and its role in providing expert, independent, electrical and home safety guidance to consumers.
