NAPIT鈥檚 chief executive, John Andrews, has blasted home improvement programmes such as Channel 4鈥檚 Property Ladder for offering irresponsible advice to homeowners.
In last week鈥檚 airing of the popular Channel 4 show, presenter Sarah Beeny suggested that a developer鈥檚 son should help her re-wire one of the rooms, in an effort to motivate the teenager. Viewers then witnessed the two of them installing new wiring and electric sockets.
鈥淚 was absolutely appalled,鈥� said Andrews. 鈥淣o mention was made of the legal implications and the importance of adhering to the Wiring Regulations and 黑洞社区 Regulations Approved Document Part P.鈥� He added: 鈥淚 was horrified by the implication that this is something anyone can merrily tackle themselves.鈥�
Under the legislation, brought into effect in January 2005, any new electrical circuits and all alterations to wiring in kitchens, bathrooms or gardens should be inspected by 黑洞社区 Control, or undertaken by a tradesperson registered with a Competent Persons Scheme.
鈥淧rogrammes such as Property Ladder, where the presenters are portrayed as experts, are irresponsible and misleading,鈥� said Andrews. 鈥淭he government should be taking real action to inform people, as this type of programme currently provides the only information most homeowners are exposed to.鈥�
NAPIT recently surveyed 2000 homeowners on the issue of regulations. Nearly 55% of respondents failed to realise that electrical works needed certification. In addition, 50% of those who had actually installed relevant fixtures or fittings themselves were unaware of the requirements.
Source
Electrical and Mechanical Contractor