PROPERTY News
Electrical problems are one of the most frequent building faults revealed in pre-purchase home inspections by Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects. And across Queensland, electrical hazards were reported in almost 20 per cent of homes inspected and many of them posed a fire risk.
Roof spaces can cause problems, especially if faulty wiring comes into contact with combustible materials, fuelling a fire above the smoke alarm that can leave residents unaware of the fire above their heads until it is well advanced.
Archicentre Queensland manager Ian Agnew said common electrical problems revealed during the property inspections included defective wiring, unearthed power points and antiquated switchboards without residual current devices (safety switches) installed.
“A large proportion of electrical problems have been caused by the owners themselves – or previous owners, personally installing additional power points. This illegal wiring is extremely dangerous and increases the risk of house fires and can be deadly for occupants or visiting tradespersons. Electrical wiring should only be undertaken by a licensed electrical contractor.”
Archicentre’s electrical safety check list includes:
• Never undertake your own electrical work unless you are a qualified electrical contractor. It is illegal and dangerous to do so.
• Use a registered licensed electrical contractor for all electrical wiring work.
• Have the electrician install safety switches on all power and light circuits in the home.
• Minimise the use of double adapters and power boards in the home, as they can overload power points. Have the electrician install enough permanent power points so the temporary double adapters and power boards can be removed. Remove all extension leads as they can cause tripping hazards for the elderly.
• When not in use, electric blankets should remain off, especially when the house is unoccupied.
• Eradicate any vermin. Rats and mice can eat through the insulated wiring in the roof and floor spaces increasing the risk of house fires. Ants like to nest in power points.
Mr Agnew said the three most common causes of winter fires were:
• Accidents or distractions from cooking in the kitchen
• Fireplace and heater-related incidents, and
•Electrical faults
“All home owners should ensure their smoke alarms are working as most fatal fires occur in the home and winter is a high fire risk time,: he said.
“Older adults are considered a high risk group in fire. Some medications decrease their mobility and hearing, which can reduce the ability to detect and escape from fire. Impairments can make it difficult for some people to respond quickly to a developing fire. Living alone can also increase their vulnerability to fire.”
Archicentre has been inspecting homes for smoke alarms since 2004 and Mr Agnew said that since then, the architects had reported a significant number of senior’s homes without smoke alarms. Of the ones that did have them, many were inactive, or had the alarm, but it hadn’t been installed.
“Many families owe their lives to working smoke alarms as you can’t smell smoke when you are asleep. A small fire can quickly grow to involve an entire room in two - three minutes. Smoke alarms are an essential early-warning system to alert you and your family to the dangers of fire and smoke and allow time to escape."
Archicentre Queensland manager Ian Agnew said common electrical problems revealed during the property inspections included defective wiring, unearthed power points and antiquated switchboards without residual current devices (safety switches) installed.
“A large proportion of electrical problems have been caused by the owners themselves – or previous owners, personally installing additional power points. This illegal wiring is extremely dangerous and increases the risk of house fires and can be deadly for occupants or visiting tradespersons. Electrical wiring should only be undertaken by a licensed electrical contractor.”
Archicentre’s electrical safety check list includes:
• Never undertake your own electrical work unless you are a qualified electrical contractor. It is illegal and dangerous to do so.
• Use a registered licensed electrical contractor for all electrical wiring work.
• Have the electrician install safety switches on all power and light circuits in the home.
• Minimise the use of double adapters and power boards in the home, as they can overload power points. Have the electrician install enough permanent power points so the temporary double adapters and power boards can be removed. Remove all extension leads as they can cause tripping hazards for the elderly.
• When not in use, electric blankets should remain off, especially when the house is unoccupied.
• Eradicate any vermin. Rats and mice can eat through the insulated wiring in the roof and floor spaces increasing the risk of house fires. Ants like to nest in power points.
Mr Agnew said the three most common causes of winter fires were:
• Accidents or distractions from cooking in the kitchen
• Fireplace and heater-related incidents, and
•Electrical faults
“All home owners should ensure their smoke alarms are working as most fatal fires occur in the home and winter is a high fire risk time,: he said.
“Older adults are considered a high risk group in fire. Some medications decrease their mobility and hearing, which can reduce the ability to detect and escape from fire. Impairments can make it difficult for some people to respond quickly to a developing fire. Living alone can also increase their vulnerability to fire.”
Archicentre has been inspecting homes for smoke alarms since 2004 and Mr Agnew said that since then, the architects had reported a significant number of senior’s homes without smoke alarms. Of the ones that did have them, many were inactive, or had the alarm, but it hadn’t been installed.
“Many families owe their lives to working smoke alarms as you can’t smell smoke when you are asleep. A small fire can quickly grow to involve an entire room in two - three minutes. Smoke alarms are an essential early-warning system to alert you and your family to the dangers of fire and smoke and allow time to escape."
