Electrical safety practices are designed to ensure that people stay safe around both electrical wiring and appliances. But student accommodation, the legal obligation falls with the landlord. From PAT testing, to Electrical Installation Condition Reports, landlords have a legal requirement to take steps to keep students safe. But what kind of electrical safety issues can arise in student accommodation and, what can landlords, or the students themselves, do to prevent it? Well, here at Walker Electrical, we are Preston’s leading electrical experts. And we work with companies in a range of sectors, to provide electrical installations, repair and maintenance. As a result, we have produced this guide to electrical safety issues for student accommodation.
Overloaded sockets
In student accommodation, there are always a lot of sockets that are needed to power a whole plethora of gadgets and devices. And so overloaded sockets can be a common electrical safety issue. This occurs when an extension cable is plugged into the socket and too many devices are plugged in at once. Or even multiple extension leads being connected to just one socket. As a result, the socket will spark, posing an electric shock risk, as well as a fire risk, and eventually no longer work at all.
Appliance breakdown
Electrical appliances do suffer from wear and tear over time. But this can be a real risk for the tenants in your property. If any cables or wires are exposed on any electrical appliance, they really should not be using this appliance at all. To keep your tenants safe, make sure all your electrical appliances are PAT tested regularly and that you meet any requirements or recommendations highlighted by the test.
Faulty wiring
Many student accommodation properties are older buildings. And as a result, the electrics can be outdated and overused. This can lead to issues with flickering lights, or tripped fuses. But it also signals a risk to the students, from electric shocks and electrical fires. So it is important to keep on top of your Electrical Installation Condition Reports.
For more information or advice, get in touch with the experts today, here at Walker Electrical.