A global switch to efficient lighting systems would trim the world’s electricity bill by nearly one-tenth.
That is the conclusion of a study from the International Energy Agency (IEA), which it says is the first global survey of lighting uses and costs.
The carbon dioxide emissions saved by such a switch would, it concludes, dwarf cuts so far achieved by adopting wind and solar power.
And so fellow electricians, this is the next big thing and my guess is, the one true (forgive the pun) light at the end of the tunnel.
With the updated “part L” of the building regulations, place emphasis on energy saving and effeciencies, the massive savings offered by changing lighting in the home and office to new LED lighting technologies could pave the way to more installations and more profit.
We are introducing a new course on energy effeciency in buildings soon………..watch this space and web site !
Like most companies, we send out the odd press release every now and again.
We had an interesting response to something that appeared in a well known trade magazine – the response basically accused us of trying to “scare monger” and “frighten” electricians.
Well, I know that Halloween happens every year, but we aren’t in the business of scaring anyone – lets get a couple of things straight shall we!
The IET has a thing called the EAS – stands for Electrotechnical Assessment Specification – in simple terms, it is a template for all of us that work in the electrical industry – and yes that includes me!
So why am I rattling on about the 17th edition again…..(yawn)……… well it seems as though there is some confusion as to when you have to have achieved the 17th edition – well according to a number of callers out there to some of the larger enrolment bodies and competent persons schemes, and I quote “You do not have to have the 17th edition….yet”…..
Well according to the IET and one of major enrolment bodies, they are saying and publishing articles called “the clock is ticking”………. and that compliance with the 17th edition is required by the end of 2010 or by the next assessment visit – and if there is still anyone out there that is still the doubting sceptic why not check out the IET web site……http://www.theiet.org/publishing/wiring-regulations/eas
We return again in this post, to the somewhat misunderstood area of Testing and Inspecting.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAW Regulations) have been in force since the
1st of April 1990. This important regulation requires that all electrical systems to be installed and crucially, maintained to a safe standard and to ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken against the risk of death or personal injury from electricity in work activities.
These Regulations are made under The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSW Act), with the onus of absolute responsibility resting with employers, who are ultimately responsible for ensuring the health and safety of their employees But what is sometimes disregarded, is that this responsibility is extended to any member of the public who may be on the premises, and to ensure that they too, are not at risk from their activities – there is no exception.
Lets be very clear at this stage – Electricity is a killer and regrettably, even now, there are many avoidable deaths that occur because of unsafe installations.
We see here many instances of unsafe working practices where serious injury or death could arise – amongst those that we hear of are:
• Control of site earthworks, and buried cables
• Use of poorly maintained electrical equipment
• Dangerous Mains electricity supplies
• Use of unsuitable electrical equipment in explosive areas such as car paint spraying booths
• Fires started by poor electrical installations and faulty electrical appliances – all of which cause
many additional deaths and injuries.
We are now calling upon the great and the good in the electrical industry to try and lobby for a change of attitude and if needs be, a change in the law so that ALL premises – commercial, industrial and domestic – are periodically inspected and tested to the necessary standard to ensure that electrical safety is not compromised.
It came to late though for a single mother of 2 children, who died because of corrosion of the main cpc – to repeat the words of the coroner, “Anyone who has listened to the evidence today cannot but have been starkly reminded of the potential perils of electricity in our homes. But there is no requirement for periodic inspections of electricity in our homes, and that to me, seems inexplicable”
This tragic death can and should have been avoided – please post your comments on this blog
Kevin Brennan, Minister of State for Further Education, Apprenticeship Skills and Consumer Affairs at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, recently made what some may see as a radical approach to increasing the skills sets amongst the M & E community at large.
The minister has said, at a recent industry gathering, that he was considering new rules which could be built into all future public sector projects, and which would stress the duty on contractors to invest in the training of staff and apprentices.
What this would mean in practice is still somewhat vague but our investigations suggest that any public sector building and second fixing contracts offered to tender by the government, local authorities and other public organisations will have clauses which will “stress” that all staff must have received some vocational training. The spokesperson went on to say that this might include nationally recognised qualifications as inclusions in any such clauses.
So there you have it…..another solid reason to get that all important qualification!
The news is beginning to sound a lot better for all of us.
A recent announcement by the housing minister John Heal, and as reported on the BBC news website, the housing industry is in line for a significant financial boost.
Dubbed “Kickstart”, the news is all good. With sums of money in the order of £925m earmarked, the minister stated on the 27th of July 2009, that “We’ve pledged to use the power of Government investment to help Britain through the recession. This billion pound Kickstart programme will get stalled building work back on track, create jobs and help build the quality homes we need. he went onto say “I want to see builders back on these sites within weeks. So I will be calling on successful developers to pull out all the stops so construction can restart as quickly as possible.
For once, and not before time, HM Gov. is helping all of us who are involved in the house building industry – including domestic electricians.
So come on, theres a job to be done, no time for idle hands…..lets get to work and start building Britain again.
Yes…. we are radio stars for a day…
Local radio station, Ten-17 visited us today and carried out a quick interview with Chris Atkin……he was asked by the presenter, “how are things working out for you”…to which Chris replied, “We are doing just great here, and with more and more electricians needing our help, we are only to pleased to help”
Well, we couldn’t resist it………..we are now on Twitter, the micro blogging service everyone is talking about !
You can follow us by going to https://twitter.com/totalelectrical
The Cowboys are back…..that is the Part P “Refusniks!”
With the economic downturn coming to a possible end soon, we must caution customers and clients alike, who are only to easily persuaded that a electrician who is able and ready to the work will do……..beware!
It’s not often that we have smoke pouring out of our ears, but I am afraid we really started to loose it recently when we chanced upon this little gem :
Our old friend the cowboy (yeeha) is back!!!!!!
In a nutshell, this so called electrician has carried out an electrical installation involving changing over an old re-wireable fuse board to a split load consumer unit……Now this is where the story gets interesting. The electrician in question claims that as he has the 16th edition, he is “part p qualified” – he admitted that he never informed building control! He went on (and my god, did he go on) “I went on a 1 day part p training course with a training company, and they told me that after attending the course, I was part p registered, so I really know what I am doing!”
When I heard about this one, I thought to myself, Part P is still seen by some in the industry as something to get around and isn’t to be taken seriously….remember, this chap has not carried out any of the tests detailed in Part 6 of the regs, let alone any of the processes described as Initial Verification; bearing in mind that any installation test certificates, schedules of tests etc, would of course be invalid under the current building regulations, of which official document “P” is one of several building regs to be adhered to……..
Welcome to our world of comment, a bit of controversy and news…..and maybe a bit of fun as well!