Tuesday 19th December
Commenting on yesterday’s release of the Hackitt Review – the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety: Interim Report – which was established in the light of the Grenfell tragedy, Phil Buckle, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First, said:
“We must ensure that there is never another Grenfell. So we welcome the Review’s recommendation of a complete overhaul of the regulatory system, to address a wide-range of safety issues.
“Electrical safety is fundamental to this process – an issue highlighted by the Grenfell fire being instigated by an electrical product. Not to mention the fact that electricity causes over half of all domestic fires in the UK.
“We have long campaigned for regular electrical checks in UK homes and successfully lobbied for these to be introduced in the private rented sector in Scotland, with Wales and Northern Ireland set to follow suit. Recently, the Government announced it was waiting for the Hackitt Review to implement such regulations. The outcome of this report has left no doubt that regular electrical checks are an essential – not just in the PRS but also in the social housing sector. And particularly in high-rise blocks, whatever the tenure.
“In our submission to the Hackitt Review we emphasised the importance of Part P of the Regulations. As it is the only legislation which protects people from electrical risk in their own homes, we strongly recommended this crucial piece of consumer protection be strengthened. We also recommended the Government promote and support Competent Person Schemes, to ensure high professional standards and consumer protection from rogue traders. So we fully support the Review’s call for a joined-up, effective system to ensure Grenfell will never happen again.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Sophia Alipour T: 07866702069 E : sophia.alipour@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk
Editor’s Notes:
- Electrical Safety First is the UK charity dedicated to reducing accidents, deaths and injuries caused by electricity in the home. We are recognised by government and industry as the leading campaigning charity and technical authority on electrical safety.