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Publication - Advice and guidance

Building standards technical handbook 2020: non-domestic

Published
2 December 2020
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design
ISBN
978-1-78544-329-9

The building standards technical handbooks provide guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. This handbook applies to a building warrant submitted on or after 1 March 2021 and to building work which does not require a warrant commenced from that date.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

4.5 Electrical safety

Mandatory Standard

Standard 4.5

Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that the electrical installation does not:

  1. threaten the health and safety of the people in, and around, the building, and

  2. become a source of fire.

Limitation:

This standard does not apply to an electrical installation:

  1. serving a building or any part of a building to which the Mines and Quarries Act 1954 or the Factories Act 1961 applies, or

  2. forming part of the works of an undertaker to which regulations for the supply and distribution of electricity made under the Electricity Act 1989.

4.5.0 Introduction

The hazards posed by unsafe electrical installation are injuries caused by contact with electricity (shocks and burns) and injuries arising from fires in buildings ignited through malfunctioning or incorrect installations.

Concern has been expressed that risks have been increasing in recent years due to:

  • the increasing prevalence and variety of electrical systems in buildings and the demands being made on them

  • the reduction in subscription to voluntary industry self-regulation schemes.

The intention of this standard is to ensure that electrical installations are safe in terms of the hazards likely to arise from defective installations, namely fire, electric shock and burns or other personal injury. Installations should:

  • safely accommodate any likely maximum demand, and

  • incorporate appropriate automatic devices for protection against overcurrent or leakage, and

  • provide means of isolating parts of the installation or equipment connected to it, as are necessary for safe working and maintenance.

The standard applies to fixed installations in buildings. An installation consists of the electrical wiring and associated components and fittings, including all permanently secured equipment, but excluding portable equipment and appliances.

Appendix 6 of BS 7671: 2008 (The Wiring Regulations) provides specimen certificates that may be completed by the person responsible for the installation. These can be issued to the person ordering the works as evidence of compliance with the recommendations of the British Standards.

‘Socket outlet’ means a fixed device containing contacts for the purpose of connecting to a supply of electricity the corresponding contacts of a plug attached to any current-using appliance.

Conversions - in the case of conversions, as specified in regulation 4, the building as converted shall meet the requirement of this standard (regulation 12, schedule 6).

4.5.1 Electrical installations

Electricity, when properly used, is a safe and convenient source of energy for heat, light and power within buildings. However misuse may lead to significant harm to individuals and buildings alike.

Risk of fire from an electrical installation should be minimised. In normal operation, taking into account the surroundings, it should not create the risk of fire, burns, shock or other injury to people.

An electrical installation should be designed, constructed, installed and tested such that it is in accordance with the recommendations of BS 7671: 2008.

Professional expertise - electrical installation work should be inspected and tested by persons who possess sufficient technical knowledge, relevant practical skills and experience for the nature of the electrical work undertaken.

An approved certifier of construction who has been assessed to have the professional skills and relevant experience, can certify compliance of an electrical installation (see clause 4.0.5).

4.5.2 Extra-low voltage installations

To avoid the risk of harm, any circuit which is designed to operate at or below extra-low voltage should be protected against both direct and indirect contact with any other circuit operating at higher than extra-low voltage.

Extra-low voltage is defined as not more than 50 volts alternating current or 120 volts direct current, measured between conductors or to earth. This might include installations for alarm or detection purposes, or for transmission of sound, vision, data or power.

Any such installation should be designed, constructed, installed and tested such that it is in accordance with the recommendations of BS 7671: 2008.

4.5.3 Installations operating above low voltage

To avoid the risk of harm, any circuit which is designed to operate at a voltage higher than low voltage should be provided with a cut-off switch for use in emergency in accordance with the recommendations of BS 7671: 2008.

Low voltage is defined as not more than 1000 volts alternating current or 1500 volts direct current, measured between conductors or not more than 600 volts alternating current or 900 volts direct current between conductors and earth.

A fireman’s switch, in a conspicuous position, should be provided to any circuit supplying exterior electrical installations or internal discharge lighting installations (including luminous tube signage) operating at a voltage exceeding low voltage.

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