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Written question asked by Apsana Begum (Labour) on Monday, 13 December 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 December 2021. It was answered by Christopher Pincher (Conservative) on Monday, 20 December 2021 on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Electrical Safety

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to BS7671 IET Wiring Regulations, whether he has plans to make the electrical regulation which requires consumer units in domestic settings to have a non-combustible enclosure retrospective following the report by the London Fire Brigade into the causes of the New Providence Wharf fire.

Answer

The Department welcomes the London Fire Brigade's report into the causes of the New Providence Wharf fire and has noted the content.

Electrical equipment is required to meet the health and safety requirements under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations before it can be placed on the market. To meet these requirements many businesses will follow voluntary designated standards.

In response to the report, the Office for Product Safety and Standards has conducted an initial review of existing designated standards relevant to timer switches. This review has established that there are already standards in place which although not specifically for timer switches in consumer units, are broadly comparable with the standards for components intended for use in consumer units.

When a new consumer unit is installed, electrical regulations require this to be a metal consumer unit or a plastic consumer unit in a non-combustible enclosure. We will keep these requirements under review through our work with the industry committee responsible for development of BS7671, the standard used to show compliance with electrical safety regulations.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
92102
Session
2021-22
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Greater London Flats Fires Electrical safety Reviews Electrical control equipment
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk