The growing need for better electrical safety standards

Andrew Upton, Managing Director of Seaward, urged policy makers to think about the potential cause of the devastating fire and bring in new standards to reduce the chance of repeat events.

Government statistics for 2015-16 show more than 6,200 domestic fires were caused by an appliance or supply fault.

And in the same year there were 1,380 fatalities and injuries caused by electrical fires.

Upton said: “The Grenfell tragedy is believed to have been started via a faulty fridge freezer and the statistics for domestic fires in the UK speak for themselves. Attention has quite rightly been turned to the cladding on Grenfell Tower but the root cause has not been considered as widely. The chance of terrible events such as this happening again can be minimised by tackling the cladding issue, but we also need to think carefully about safety standards and make sure landlords and local authorities carry out very basic tests.”

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) can uncover defects in electrical appliances that are potentially dangerous. The process can highlight problems the homeowner or landlord may not be aware of, such as faults in recalled items and counterfeit appliances.  

Landlords, businesses and building operators need to ensure they meet legal obligations with regards to electrical safety, especially with insurance companies taking more interest in appliance safety when it comes to assessing claims.

Upton said: “We’ve heard a lot from businesses and politicians in the past about supposed ‘red tape’ and the detriment it can have on growth. The fact of the matter is that, used in the right way, it can help to save lives. Recent events will undoubtedly change the sentiment towards regulation - it can be a matter of life and death. As experts in the field of PAT testing, we know it is a fast, easy and affordable process that can protect lives and property. Improved PAT testing regulations for landlords will mean people can use electrical equipment safe in the knowledge that it is fit for purpose.”