Category: Electrical

New Zealand Building Compliance Obligations

Electrical

If you are the manager or owner of a New Zealand building, then you
are legally obligated to provide evidence that the building meets the
health and safety requirements set out in The Building Act 2004 and the
associated regulations of that Act.

Part of the process is that
building owners have to hold a current Building Warrant of Fitness
(BWoF) if there are any safety systems installed in the building.

These
systems, also called “Specified Systems” are the parts of the building
infrastructure that, should they fail to fulfil their purpose, would
potentially endanger the health, safety, and lives of occupants within
the building. Prime examples of these specified systems are sprinkler
systems, lifts and escalators, and smoke alarms. The Ministry of
Business, Innovation, and Employment maintains a full list of Specified
Systems as defined by the Building Warrant of Fitness on their website.

These
specified systems will, of course, require regular maintenance,
inspections, and testing to ensure that they are working at the optimum
level. That is the purpose of the BWoF; to ensure that these systems are
adequately looked after, repaired, and – if necessary – replaced across
the lifespan of a building.

The Building Act 2004

Every
bit of building work across New Zealand, from construction and
demolition to renovation, is covered by the Building Act and the
regulations of the Act. This includes the New Zealand Building Code. A
local council will administer the requirements of the Act on behalf of
the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

The New
Zealand Building Act ensures that buildings are kept to a nationwide
standard in order to meet the health and safety requirements of the
future occupants of the building. The Building Code offers regulations
that focus on building durability, sanitation services and facilities,
fire safety, energy efficiency, moisture control, and building
accessibility.

Building WoF Owner Obligations

The Building
Act 2004 lays out the rules and regulations for buildings with
Specified Systems. This includes information about the Building Warrant
of Fitness, which calls on building owners to;

  • Hold a current copy of their Compliance Schedule somewhere in the building
  • Prepare BWoF documents every 12 months for renewal
  • Ensure
    that the inspection, maintenance, and reporting schedule of the
    Specified Systems as set out in the Compliance Schedule is adhered to
  • Engage
    the appropriate Independent Qualified Persons for the inspections,
    maintenance, repairs, and reporting procedures as laid out in the
    Compliance Schedule.
  • Ensure that these Independent Qualified
    Persons prepare and provide a Form 12A certificate as proof that the
    inspection, maintenance, and reporting procedures have been
    appropriately followed.
  • Keep records of building inspections, maintenance, and repairs from the past 24 months.
  • Display the Building Warrant of Fitness in a public part of the building
  • Ensure that the Compliance Schedule and any related documents are available for an authorized person to inspect as needed
  • Obtain
    professional engineering advice and then act upon that advice in the
    event of an earthquake if there are concerns over the building safety
  • Provide
    a copy of the renewed Building Warrant of Fitness to the local council
    every 12 months, along with any supporting documentation

The
local council regularly review Compliance Schedules, Building Warrant
of Fitness certificates, and Form 12As in order to ensure that the
building is in line with the regulations of the Building Act. Copies of
these documents and their related paperwork are held by the council for
the lifespan of the building.

If you need any help with Building Compliance or with a Building Warrant of Fitness then get in touch with our experts and specialists at BCI NZ.

Article From

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Getting electrical work done

Electrical

When you hire an electrician to do work on your home, make sure they are licensed and issue a Certificate of Compliance for their work. While you can do a limited amount of electrical work on your own home, unless you are sufficiently skilled, it is much better to get an electrician to undertake the work.

WorkSafe administers the principal laws governing electrical work in New Zealand. These are:

The law allows homeowners to do a limited amount of electrical work in their home.

Any person other than a homeowner who carries out prescribed electrical work is required to be registered by the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB). All electrical workers who carry out electrical work in return for payment or reward must hold an annual practising licence.

When you contract an electrical worker always ask to see their practising licence and check the expiry date. This is proof that the worker is qualified to do electrical work safely.

Note: the colour of the licence changes every two years.  If you are unsure if your electrical worker is licensed get in touch with the EWRB

Certificate of Compliance (CoC)

Electricians must issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) to customers when doing any fixed wiring work, including fitting new power points. CoCs are not issued for maintenance work, such as replacing sockets and light fittings or repairing appliances.

The CoC indicates that the work done is electrically safe and has been carried out in accordance with New Zealand’s electrical safety standards and codes. It also shows they have tested their work once completed.

Keep your CoC in a safe place as a record of the work done on your property. It is an important document and may be required for insurance claims or when you are selling your home.

A CoC guarantees that the work:

  • has been completed by a licensed electrician
  • meets safety standards set by law, and
  • has been tested.

Electrical safety inspections

The law also requires some electrical work to be inspected, particularly work on the main switchboard, the main cable, and the main earth. The electrician you employ is responsible for arranging for a licensed electrical inspector to carry out the inspection. Keep the inspection report with your CoCs, a copy of this guide and other important information.

If you have any concerns about your home being electrically safe, have it checked by a licensed electrical inspector.

Buying a home

Before buying a home, get a licensed electrician or inspector to verify that all installations, outbuildings and electrical equipment are electrically safe. They can also identify any electrical problems you may face in the future.

Ask the vendor about all the electrical work undertaken and sight all CoCs. This acts as an assurance that a licensed electrical worker has performed the job safely. The CoC is also important for liability and insurance purposes, should something go wrong.

Building or renovating a home

When building a new home or renovating an existing one, plan for your present electrical needs and for what you may need in the future. Make sure you have adequate power points and fittings and ask your electrical worker to advise you of the latest electrical safety devices available.

Although you may have to spend a little more up front, it may save a life in the future.

Your rights – How to complain about sub-standard or unsafe electrical work

If you have a problem with electrical work done in your home, first discuss it with the electrical worker or company who did the job. If you are still unhappy, you can lay a formal complaint with the EWRB. For more information about making a formal complaint, contact the EWRB at 0800 66 10 00 or check their website at www.ewrb.govt.nz

Article First Appeared On  https://worksafe.govt.nz/managing-health-and-safety/consumers/safe-living-with-electricity/getting-electrical-work-done/

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Five Signs That Your House Needs Electrical Repairs

Electrical

Imagine living in a home without electrical power? That is not something that anyone would want. It is undoubtedly true that electricity is one of the best inventions so far and it has made life bearable. You can now prepare meals, store food for days without going bad, warm the house, and do other several things using electrical power. 

Nonetheless, it is crucial to understand that although electricity has made life easy, it also poses a great risk to its users. Electrical faults, if not well taken care of, can cause damage to property in the house, or even in extreme situations, electric shocks can cause death. 

Therefore, it is important to have an understanding of how to identify electrical faults that need attention in your home. Some common indicators of faulty electrical wiring include:

Flickering lights

When lights in your house are constantly flickering, that means that electrical power is not reaching them as supposed. This can be caused by short circuits in the wiring system of the house. Once you notice this, have a professional electrician check out the issue. It is important to note that short circuits are dangerous and can cause electrical fires.

Hot spots

One of the common indicators of short circuits is excess heat on some parts of the wiring system. If a short circuit occurs, the electrical energy is diverted to some parts of the wire, and the excess energy is emitted as heat. Common hot spot areas include areas close to the switches, and sockets. It is crucial for you to regularly check the path followed by electrical wires in the wall so that you can take note of such spots.

Faulty electrical outlets

It is evident that if one of the switches in your house is not functioning, there is an underlying problem. This can be caused by loose wires in the outlets, short circuits among several other reasons. You should immediately contact your electrician to have such issues fixed.

Electrical shock

It is essential to take seriously even the mildest of electrical shocks such as shocks experienced when touching electrical appliances. Such is caused by bad electrical wiring, which if not corrected, can cause significant damage in the future.

Sparks and burning odours

Sometimes when the outlets are overloaded or faulty, they cause sparks whenever something is plugged into them. In some cases, the outlets will produce a burning smell, and this should be particularly taken seriously. Burning smells from electrical systems could indicate possible electrical fires. To ensure safety in such situations, cut off electrical energy supply in the house by switching the power off from the main panel.

Conclusion

If you notice any of the signs listed above, ensure that you contact a residential electrician to rectify them. The sooner you do so, the higher the chances of reducing the damage that electrical faults can cause. Having electrical repair done ensures that you and your family or friends are safe in your places of residence.

from https://electricianrotorua.com/five-signs-that-your-house-needs-electrical-repairs/
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Advantages and Application Area of LED Lighting Technology

Electrical

LED Lighting Technology

Light
producing diode or LED innovation is a new experience in business and
residential lighting applications. Every dark area that needs to be
lightened up and every item that requires indicator is now ending up
being dynamic with LEDs. The reason is basic, the world is aiming to
conserve energy, and LEDs are stars in the field of energy effective
innovation.

The controlling advantages of LED over the standard
lighting like; incandescent bulb and CFL, makes them the very best
option for every brand-new installation and upgrade that needs to be
brightened.

Talking about a few of the LED advantages that make them remarkable option:

Energy effective

LED
converts 80% of your electrical energy into light energy. Changing the
old lighting system with brand-new LED system on Iconic Miami Tower
helped to conserve $259,767 each year in upkeep, energy and operating
expenses.

Versatile and compact

LEDs are
adaptable to any type of lighting application due to its accessibility
in different colour and small size. It emits light in intend colouration
and works smoothly in harshest condition. A single LED is enough for
lighting indicator, and its cluster can shine an entire football
stadium.

Manageable and cool

LED lights are
much fresh and brilliant in comparison to conventional light sources.
They can likewise be dimmed very easily according to requisite strength.

Long lifespan

LED
does not stop working abruptly and reasonably have long beneficial
life. This decreases the expense in regards to maintenance and reduces
your headache for periodical replacements.

Focused and resistant to shock

With
LEDs, you don’t need to be dependent upon the reflector shape to get
concentrated light. They are currently packaged in a manner to emit
concentrated light. This is a helpful particular to feature illumination
like in jewellery shop. And, being a solid-state gadget, they are
challenging to damage with shock.

These benefits show that LEDs
in all the methods are the best appropriate choice for both indications
and illumination lighting applications. Nevertheless, as every emerging
innovation has some issues, so LED isn’t untouched with it. The only
downside that LED installation has right now is the high initial cost.
If you have guts to invest 1000 bucks for a few LED light bulbs, then
LED lighting is 100% practical choice. Low quality LED light will
degrade in colour more rapidly than the new branded one, so always look
for high-quality Energy Star rated LED bulb.

Application

Whether
you are thinking of setting up new lighting in the home or upgrading
the existing one, wanting to shine your favourite displays, or embellish
your yard swimming pool with dramatic lighting, LED is always there as
an option for you. LED stars are actively producing enchant and vibrant
environments in every possible sector like commercial, commercial,
residential, security, public places, vehicles, electronics and health
centres. LED has registered its existence in the public area and yet
expanding with many possibilities.

A few of the application areas that are identified and enhance by LEDs are:

FEATURING THE RETAIL MARKET
– Retail market that includes a shopping centre, jewellery store,
garment store, store and other general stores are now becoming a point
of attraction and interaction with the use of LED lights. LEDs can
precisely highlight the product and set the aura of the store to show
mood. The colourful and fresh lighting by LED boost the shopping
experience and makes them feel glamorous with the power of light.

SETTING STATE OF MIND AT WORKPLACE
– The right amount of creative and dramatic lighting make a state of
mind of the workers to remain at the workplace. Due to its mobility and
different colours, LED offers flexibility to illuminate any shape and
style. The controlled strength and focused instructions of LED produces a
comfort space environment to work.

Thus, LED is an intelligent
relocation for them. Switching to LED light has lowered their energy
expense without compromising with light quality.

Streets and
parking structure are now using LED lights to appeal its visibility and
security. Cities are upgrading to LED Street light to enhance light
quality and efficiency.

INDICATORS AND SIGNALING –
LEDs are actively utilized as lighting signs because of their low
energy consumption, little upkeep and small size. Mainly one colour LED
lights are being used in automobile and traffic signal indicators. LEDs
likewise act as stars for fibre optic cables that uses its light for
signalling in telecommunication and for lighting application.

ORNAMENTAL ART LIGHTING
– Use of LED for a decorative function is standard practice.
Individuals use numerous LED items to embellish their Christmas trees,
frames, showcase and variety of LED things to produce festive light.

UNDERWATER AND SWIMMING POOL LIGHTING
– With the improvement in innovation, LEDs are now offered in
water-resistant form for marine application. LEDs are now capable of
creating a significant lighting impact in your aquarium and glamorous
pool area together with cutting your energy cost.

Most of the pool
owners are now informing their pool water and landscape with LED lights.
One of the crucial factors is LED brightness and shock resistant
nature. Their multi-colour brightness will illuminate pool and health
spa features successfully, and swimmers are fearless with the current
while utilizing it. Accessibility of LED in various colours helps to
produce desire impact and improve the tourist attraction to the swimming
pool.

Water fountains, fish tank, artificial waterfalls and
several other water features are glowing up by LED in a much brighter
way and add to improve general pool’s atmosphere.

As said
previously, locations and possibilities of LED application are limitless
and are just bounded by creativity. LED technology applies to any
wanted location; you need a thoughtful and creative method to utilize it
accordingly. Knowing the necessary, installation and application of LED
innovation will help you to opt it for better lighting experience and
proves an advance for tidy and green environment.

If you have
guts to invest 1000 bucks for a couple of LED light bulbs, then LED
lighting is 100% rewarding alternative. The vibrant and crisp lighting
by LED boost the shopping experience and makes them feel glamorous with
the power of light.

Changing to LED light has reduced their energy expense without compromising with light quality.

Cities
are updating to LED Street light to enhance light quality and
effectiveness. LEDs likewise act as stars for fibre optic cables that
uses its light for signalling in telecommunication and for lighting
application.

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What Are Some Common Workplace Electrical Hazards?

Electrical

Electrical Hazards

Of all the energy sources used in the workplace, electricity has the most significant potential to injure seriously or cause fatalities. The human body is an excellent conductor of electricity, and even non-fatal electric shocks can cause severe and permanent injury.

Electrical injuries include burns, electrocution and shock. Electric shock can cause muscle spasms, breathing failure, irregular heartbeat, severe burns, unconsciousness and can be fatal.

Electric shock can arise from exposed contacts, live electrical equipment, damaged insulation and wet conditions. An electrical fire can occur from loose connections, heating equipment, short circuits and the incorrect electrical equipment in hazardous environments.

The main electrical hazards in the workplace are:

  • Contact with live parts of tools, equipment, extension cables and machinery.
  • Electrical faults causing fires.
  • Fires or explosions where electricity is the source of ignition.

Safe Work Practices

Safe work practices include ensuring that you follow these electrical safety requirements:

  • Make sure that you know where the switch is for each fixed machine so you can cut off the power in an emergency.
  • When using portable electric tools or equipment, make sure that you use socket outlets close by so that equipment can easily be disconnected in an emergency.
  • Switch off and unplug tools, machinery and equipment before cleaning, making adjustments, servicing or changing attachments. Also, unplug tools when not in use.
  • If there is an electrical problem, always try and disconnect the power by turning the main power switch off first.
  • Make sure that all electric cords are in good condition and have been tested and tagged before using them. Check for any damage or exposed wires, fraying or cracked leads, and cracked or broken power sockets or plug tops. Replace any damaged leads correctly, or have them replaced by an electrician.
  • To avoid electric shock, keep all electrical cords and electric power tools, equipment and machinery dry and clear of water or damp areas. Avoid using power tools in damp or wet locations. Preferably use cordless tools for damp or wet locations.
  • Use residual current devices (RCD) when using electric power tools and when working outside with electrical equipment. When using mains power, use an isolating transformer.
  • Keep all electrical power cords well clear of the working area.
  • Always have dry hands when touching electrical appliances or sockets.
  • Never operate electric power tools near flammable liquids or gases, or in an explosive atmosphere.
  • Ensure that the air vents in electric power tools are kept free of dust, oil, wood and plastic or metal scraps so that the motor is well ventilated and will not overheat
  • If you come across suspect or faulty equipment, do not use it and report to your supervisor.

Electrical Safety Awareness for Non-Electrical Workers

from https://electricianrotorua.com/what-are-some-common-workplace-electrical-hazards/
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