Ellie Ward

Implementing EV Strategy into Your Development

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Is Britain heading for a low carbon future? The government is making the right noises but much still needs to be done before we achieve our ambitious dream of a greener future for UK’s roads.

If we’re to realise our goals of making most cars and vans electric by 2030, a combined effort is needed for this large-scale push symbolising the UK’s overall Road to Zero strategy and desire to meet higher energy efficiency standards.

This will undoubtedly require cooperation between industry players, businesses, consumer groups and government departments, as well as property developers and electrical contractors who will be tasked with putting in place the necessary infrastructure to meet the growing demand for EV charging stations at home and at the workplace.

 

A new direction

 

The UK’s EV infrastructure strategy outlines several measures to promote the use of electric vehicles, including a push for charge points to be installed in all newly-built homes. Businesses and companies will also be encouraged to install charging locations on their premises where possible.

In addition to modified fuel stations and new lampposts that double as charging points, we are likely to witness a massive expansion of the plug-in network over the coming years. All this is said to put the UK at the forefront of a global revolution to deliver cleaner air and greater protection for the environment.

 

If you’re interested in discussing how you can work with Bright Contractors to implement charging points in your future development get in touch.

 

Adapting infrastructure

 

Filling our roads with electric vehicles will take more than simply encouraging people to ‘go green’. To really implement a large scale shift such as this, infrastructure will need to completely support the practical realities of owning an electric powered car.

While certain petrol stations already offer EV charge functionality, these locations are few and far between. EV owners will need ready access to affordable and reliable energy at their homes or in the community for this transition be viable. To deliver this, properties will ultimately have to be designed or retrofitted to handle such a mammoth task.

 

Cooperation

 

The UK’s current plug-in network is currently modest, to say the least. But with significant pressure from the government to implement EV charge support across all new developments, we are likely to see developers and owners of commercial and residential units working closely with building and electrical contractors to implement the structural change necessary, to create a positive impact on the environment.

As we move forward, a closer synergy will need to form between those who are pushing for a greener UK and the people who are actually responsible for implementing the necessary changes.

For property developers who are implementing EV charging technology into their plans, an understanding of the electrical engineering and maintenance requirements will enable them to operate under the government’s recent initiatives and provide homes that are suited to this new and exciting period in our nation’s history.

 

If you’d like to learn more about how your property or development will be affected by the new demand for plug-in technology, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Bright Contractors.

 

How to Avoid Invalidation of Your Commercial Property Insurance

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Whether you’re running a business from the premises or looking at development opportunities, commercial property can be highly lucrative, but it also comes with a duty to ensure that the premises are safe and well maintained.

Commercial properties such as office blocks, shopping malls and entertainment centres experience high traffic of daily visitors, so the stakes are high when it comes to ensuring these environments are safe for people to use.

Relaxed health and safety attitudes are no longer acceptable today, and attention will always be drawn to the parties responsible for substandard health and safety conditions in the event of an accident or emergency.

As a commercial property landlord, or the person in charge of the health and safety of your property as stated in your lease agreement, you’ll want to make sure you’re completely up to date with current government legislation. Not only will this help keep your employees and any members of the public safe, but you must also be aware that neglecting to maintain fire and electrical safety issues could invalidate your insurance.

 

Health and safety

 

Health and safety duties are sometimes shared between tenants of commercial properties, especially in cases where multiple businesses rent space within a larger unit.

Commercial property owners should inform whoever is in charge of the premises of the necessary health and safety precautions for which they are responsible.

This includes regular fire alarm testing, maintenance of lifts and other facilities, and cleanliness. Any potential hazards or health risks should be controlled by a responsible individual.

 

If you’re concerned about health and safety issues with your commercial property, get in touch with Bright Contractors and we’ll happily make a full assessment of your premises.

 

Gas and electricity

 

Gas and electricity are usually the responsibility of a commercial property owner, and it’s important that licensed electricians and gas Safe engineers are employed to service the premises.

Commercial electrical contractors with the appropriate certifications can ensure that all the work is properly carried out. Gas Safe engineers and electrical contractors should be happy to provide you with gas and electrical safety certificates for you to display on site.

 

Fire safety

 

While your tenant will usually have the responsibility of fire safety procedures, according to the lease, you should include fire safety in any risk assessment you take on the property. This includes effective escape routes, fire equipment and emergency lighting.

Electrical contractors can perform regular scheduled checks for emergency lighting to ensure that pathways, staircases or walkways are effectively covered by sufficient lighting during emergencies.

 

Fire safety responsibilities:

  • Carry out fire risk assessment and review it regularly
  • Inform staff or office managers of the risks you’ve identified
  • Establish appropriate fire safety measures
  • Plan for emergencies
  • Provide staff with information about escape routes and fire precaution training

 

Maintaining your insurance coverage

 

The best way to avoid invalidating your commercial property insurance is to perform regular scheduled checks on fire alarms, emergency lighting and any other safety requirements. You can do this with the help of reliable electrical contractors who employ licensed electricians and Gas Safe engineers.

If you are unsure about your responsibilities, or require assistance in keeping your property covered, seek assistance from a reliable contractor.

At Bright Contractors, we offer our clients a fully comprehensive service and help them meet government regulations, while keeping their commercial property insurance valid.  Whether it’s gas, electric or lighting, we are experts at keeping commercial spaces safe for businesses and customers to use.

 

If you’d like to learn more, or want to arrange regular scheduled fire and emergency lighting checks, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Bright Contractors.

Landlord Responsibilities – What You Need to Know

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Every lease between a tenant and a landlord comes with inherent obligations for both sides.

As a landlord or managing agent, there are a set of legal responsibilities that you must uphold to ensure the safety of your tenants as well as avoid any potential penalties and keep your landlords insurance valid.

 

Protecting your tenants

 

Whether you are a private landlord of a single property or a managing agent of multiple properties, you need to be aware of the current regulation under UK law to uphold certain health and safety standards in your property.

Ultimately, all properties must be free from health hazards and any potential problems arising from poorly installed gas and electrical appliances.

If your tenants request an assessment, your property may undergo a full housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS), evaluating the potential risk of hazards. This risk-assessment evaluates a number of factors so it is worth making taking a look to make sure your property falls within the acceptable status.

Potential health and safety hazards:

  • Damp and mould growth
  • Lighting
  • Water supply
  • Electrical hazards
  • Protection against fire
  • Routes of escape
  • Hot surfaces

If you’re concerned about any of these issues affecting your lease, get in touch with Bright Contractors and we’ll conduct a full assessment of your property and make any necessary recommendations.

 

Fire defence

 

Under the Regulatory Reform Order 2005, those responsible for a property must perform a full fire risk assessment to check that the property has adequate escape routes and fire detection systems in place.

Properties within buildings that have dark staircases or hallways should also pay special attention to the provision of emergency lighting in the event of an evacuation. Furniture and interior fittings should not present a barrier to escape or increase the risk of fire spreading.

While many buildings already have fitted smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, regular checks are necessary at the start of each tenancy to ensure they are actually in good working order.

Get in touch with Bright Contractors if you are concerned about the fire safety standards of your property or would like to schedule regular checks of your fire alarm and emergency lighting appliances.  

 

Gas and electric safety

 

HMOs are legally required to undergo inspection every five years, but it is also recommended that all types of properties undergo regular scheduled testing by a licensed electrician every five years. This involves checking that gas supply and appliances meet the current safety requirements which should be carried out by a gas safe engineer.

Any electrical installations, home wiring and appliances in the property must also be safe. This includes all sockets, light fittings and appliances such as kettles, microwaves and cookers.

As home wiring and appliances can become damaged over the course of multiple tenancies, added attention to this with the help of property maintenance services could significantly reduce any risk to the safety of your current tenants.

If you fail to ensure that your property is safe for tenants to live in you may also invalidate your landlord insurance and be liable to pay penalties – so be careful!

 

Do you need regular safety checks?

 

Within today’s climate of increased vigilance when it comes to fire and emergency safety regulations, it pays to be proactive as a landlord or managing agent.

The best way to ensure your property is safe is to employ fully qualified electrical technicians, gas safe engineers, or fully accredited property maintenance services to regularly check your property.

This will ensure that your property meets the appropriate standards and receives the necessary compliance certificates.

To avoid the possibility of invalidating your landlord’s property insurance, regular scheduled checks can also provide you with the confidence that your property is completely covered in the event of theft, fire and damage or unpaid rent.

Whether it’s gas, electric or lighting, Bright Contractors can help you keep your residential spaces safe for your tenants, and your property covered by your landlord property insurance.

How to Protect Your Landlord Insurance

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We all know that effective property insurance is essential when renting out a property to tenants in houses of multiple occupation (HMOs). What most people don’t realise however, is how easy it can be to invalidate your insurance.

Something as simple as arranging regular checks and maintenance can ensure that you remain completely covered by your landlord property insurance.

Within the context of harsher attitudes to fire safety measures and emergency strategies, as well as changing legislation, it’s essential that you keep up to date with the requirements necessary to keep your property covered.

 

Landlord responsibilities

 

Landlords and managing agents of properties that house multiple tenants must be aware of their current obligations under UK law to uphold fire and emergency safety standards.

This includes regular testing of smoke alarms, gas supply, electric wiring and appliances by licensed electricians and gas safe engineers. Many buildings are already fitted with fire alarms, but over time these can deteriorate, or batteries can deplete, resulting in a lack of adequate fire detection equipment.

Home wiring and appliances can also be damaged over the course of multiple tenancies, and could result in a risk to the safety of your current tenants.

To avoid invalidating your landlord insurance you must ensure that fire detectors on each floor are in full working order at the start of each tenancy and that all appliances provided to the house are safe to use.

According to the Regulatory Reform Order 2005, those responsible for a property must also perform fire risk assessments to check that the property has adequate escape routes. In situations where there are multiple stories, dark staircases or hallways, providing emergency lighting is necessary to meet this requirement.

Also, furniture and fittings should not increase the risk of fire or present a barrier against escape during an emergency.

Having regular checks of these requirements, such as scheduled emergency lighting checks by a licensed electrician, will make sure your landlord insurance stays valid.

If you are still unsure about your responsibilities or require third party property maintenance services to assist you in regular checks and maintenance, employ qualified home maintenance services to perform scheduled checks on your behalf.

 

Helpful checklist:

 

  1. Keep your property safe for tenants, including the fitting of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
  2. Make sure that all gas and electrical equipment is safely installed and maintained
  3. Obtain the necessary energy performance, gas safety and electrical compliance certificates for the property and provide a copy to the tenant
  4. Understand the terms and conditions of your landlord insurance policy

 

If you want to learn more about any of these issues, get in touch with Bright Contractors and we’ll happily perform a full assessment of your premises to make sure you’re insurance remains valid.

 

Landlord insurance

 

Landlord insurance is designed for property owners who rent their properties to tenants, whether this is an individual or group of people. This coverage will offer landlords peace of mind when it comes to renting and avoiding potential financial liabilities.

Depending on your insurance type, your landlord insurance will cover you for financial losses relating to various scenarios.

Potential coverage:

  • Theft
  • Fire
  • Weather damage
  • Unpaid rent
  • Property damage from tenants

 

To ensure that you remain covered, make sure that your property meets the necessary standards for fire, gas and electric safety otherwise you may end up invalidating your insurance.

 

If you require regular scheduled emergency lighting checks from a qualified electrician or need help ensuring you are properly covered under your insurance policy, get in touch with Bright Contractors and we’ll be happy to help.

Fire Alarm and Emergency Lighting Checks for Commercial Properties

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The issue of fire safety is currently at the forefront of our city’s attention. Although the tragic event that befell Grenfell Tower has set the context for future attitudes regarding property safety measures, it’s not just residential buildings that require us to pay closer attention.

As we found out with Battersea Arts Centre a few years ago, commercial spaces are also susceptible to fire and damage that could lead to the loss of valuable items and potential damage to property and human life.

If you’re an owner or a manager of a commercial property, it’s crucial to know your obligations when it comes to fire safety. Failure to fulfil your obligations could result in harm to people, property and the invalidation of your property insurance, so read on to find out more.

 

A change in attitude

 

Typically, attitudes to fire safety have been more relaxed than they should be, and some of this is down to a lack of clarity in government regulations about who is responsible and what exactly ‘suitable and sufficient’ risk assessments entail.

At Bright, we take fire safety very seriously. It only takes one mistake or a chance accident to lead to a catastrophe. This drives us to take all the necessary steps in our projects to minimise the risk of extensive fire damage to people and property.

If you’re unsure about whether you’re responsible for the safety of a commercial property, whether this is an office block or a retail space, the code for leasing business premises or a professional electrical contractor can help when it comes to understanding your obligations in regards to regular fire alarm and emergency lighting checks.

 

Checklist for safety on commercial premises:

  • Structural integrity
  • Asbestos
  • Emergency lighting
  • Fire safety equipment (fire alarms, extinguishers etc.)
  • Lighting fixtures connected property
  • Internal wiring tucked away
  • Fire doors
  • Effective escape routes

If you’re concerned about any of these issues on your commercial property, get in touch with Bright Contractors and we’ll happily come down and make a full assessment of your premises.

 

Commercial fire safety obligations

 

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 sets out relevant obligations for those who are responsible for a non-residential property. These duties lie with the employer in the context of a work and office environment, or any individual who has control of a premise such as a trade or business space. All commercial premises must have a legally designated person responsible for fire safety.

The responsible person must carry out sufficient fire risk assessments to identify any fire hazards and ensure that the environment includes suitable escape routes, fire detection and control equipment and emergency lighting. The fact that equipment exists is not enough in itself, as equipment must be regularly maintained to ensure it’s in good working order.

For retail locations and commercial offices, procedures and preventive measures must be in place to protect all employees and customers who may be on site. A weekly fire alarm test is a recommended way to ensure the site is effectively covered as well as checks on fire doors and potential obstructions to escape routes, especially in multi-storey buildings.

 

Recommended tip:

Perform a weekly fire alarm test. If there is a problem, contact a certified contractor ASAP to get your fire alarm system fixed.

 

Emergency lighting

 

Emergency lighting is not simply a contingency for a power cut, but a necessary component of illuminating exit routes and providing emergency light for individuals in the event of a fire – when normal lighting becomes ineffective. This can be a result of fire and smoke creating low visibility or when primary lighting fails due to damaged or faulty electrics.

If you require regular scheduled emergency lighting checks from a qualified electrician, get in touch with Bright Contractors to make sure your property is sufficiently maintained with the appropriate electrical compliance certificates.

 

Electric and gas

 

The individual responsible for a site must take reasonable steps to reduce the likelihood of a fire occurring and ensure people can safely escape when necessary. As fires can often be started by faulty sockets, wiring or appliances, it is essential that these elements are regularly checked by an electrical technician during your maintenance schedules.

It is also essential that your electric and gas systems have safety certificates, and that you keep up to date with any developing rules or regulations as set out by the government. This will protect your property, employees, merchandise and customers.

 

Potentially faulty appliances:

  • Kettles
  • Microwaves
  • Lamps
  • Fans
  • Electric grills
  • Machinery

Scheduled maintenance

 

As the owner of a commercial property, an employer, landlord, or occupier of a non‐domestic premises, you may be responsible for ensuring your building meets fire safety standards. The best way to limit future fire hazards is to perform regular scheduled checks.

Did you know: 

Your buildings and business insurance could be invalidated if you do not fulfil your fire safety obligations?

 

Arranging regular checks can seem inconvenient and unnecessary, but the consequences of cutting corners can be huge. Rather than waiting for something to go wrong, the best approach is to utilise a pre-emptive and preventative approach, by keeping all equipment in working order and updating maintenance programmes regularly.

At Bright we understand this responsibility can be overwhelming, and therefore offer our professional property maintenance services as trusted safety partners. By employing us to fit, regularly check and maintain your fire alarm equipment and emergency lighting, we can pre-empt any potential malfunctions. We have worked with many commercial and retail businesses to help maintain a safe environment for everyone on site.

 

If you are still unsure about your obligations, get in touch and we’ll be happy to walk you through the process and arrange regular scheduled fire and emergency lighting checks to help you avoid severe penalties that can include substantial fines and, in the worst cases of negligence, imprisonment.

Staying Protected – Fire Alarm and Emergency Lighting Checks

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As the population continues to grow in our major cities, and more people find themselves living in high rise buildings and houses of multiple occupation (HMOs), the need for resilient fire safety and emergency strategies has never been more important.

If nothing else, the recent tragedy of Grenfell Tower has taught us that there are huge consequences to pay when we don’t plan for and protect ourselves against the possibility of disastrous eventualities that result in the harm of individuals and serious damage to property.

Today’s attitude to health and safety regulations must be one of proactive and preventative measures, rather than reactive responses to failure. As a managing agent or a landlord, it’s on you to understand your responsibilities and take action to protect your tenants and your property from harm.

 

Taking responsibility

 

As the owner or managing agent of an HMO, it’s your responsibility to ensure your building meets the appropriate fire and emergency safety regulations. This includes the regular testing of fire alarms and emergency lighting.

While most buildings are fitted with smoke alarms on each floor, the fact that they exist is not enough. Fire detectors must be in full working order at the start of each tenancy.

The Regulatory Reform Order 2005 establishes a person’s responsibility to undertake a fire risk assessment, to assess any fire hazards within a building. This includes providing routes of escape, fire safety equipment such as working smoke alarms and emergency lighting, as well as taking care to avoid any furniture and fitting placements that may create a fire hazard.

If the person responsible is unable to take these necessary steps to reduce fire risks and ensure all fire safety equipment is maintained regularly, they should employ a qualified contractor who can perform scheduled checks on their behalf.

According to the Housing Act 2004, landlords must ensure that tenants can escape easily from the property in the case of a fire. This might require the repair or refitting of the ‘fabric’ of the property such as doors and ceilings to ensure fire can’t spread easily between rooms.

If you’re unsure about any of the government’s current regulations, make sure you seek guidance from the Landlords Association or consult a professional contractor who can walk you through the process.

 

Gas and electric

 

Landlords have a legal duty to annually arrange a gas supply and appliances check by a gas safe engineer. It is also required that any electrical installation, home wiring and appliances provided to the household are safe to use throughout the tenancy. This includes all sockets, light fittings and appliances such as kettles, microwaves and cookers.

One of the best ways to ensure this is performed effectively is to employ fully qualified electrical technicians, or property maintenance services to handle such tasks and provide electrical compliance certificates.

When choosing a registered electrician to maintain the safety standards of your property, you can rest assured that work is carried out according to government laws and to the BS7671 safety standard. Insurance for any work done will also help you conform to your responsibilities as a landlord.

 

Reactive vs proactive

 

Reactive maintenance is usually initiated by failure, resulting from a lack of preventive measures. The key to providing effective health and safety standards for all residential properties is to use proactive maintenance checks that assess the likelihood of something going wrong.

Simply waiting for problems to occur is the worst approach you can take. Proactive maintenance also keeps buildings serviced and in good working order throughout the year, avoiding the need for replacement or substantial repairs that will cost you money.

Regular scheduled checks for fire safety equipment and emergency lighting by electric contractors or home maintenance services is the best way to preserve equipment and prevent the malfunction or failure of any equipment that could result in damage to health and property.

 

Bright’s safety recommendations:

  • Use licensed electricians and gas safe engineers
  • Conduct a visual inspection at the start of each new tenancy
  • Conduct regular fire alarm and emergency lighting checks
  • Regularly check the appliances and fixtures used in the property for safety
  • Conduct periodic inspections on HMOs at least every 5 years

 

Regular checks and maintenance

 

With regular scheduled checks, you can make unexpected equipment failure and deterioration a thing of the past and the risk of disaster can be massively reduced.

If you’re unsure about the role you need to play in the proper maintenance of a residential space, make sure you take the time to understand your obligations as set out by government rules and regulations. In addition to knowing the current rules and regulations, you also should keep up to date with any changes that might take place to your property’s electrics and gas safety requirements.

While the arrangement of regular checks might seem inconvenient or a waste of money, the consequences of cutting corners can be monumental, and regular maintenance will more than likely save you money in the long term.

We believe that regular scheduled checks are the best way to pre-empt any potential electrical or gas malfunction and maintain a safe environment with working fire alarm and emergency lighting.

At Bright Contractors, we offer our clients peace of mind when it comes to securing safe residential spaces for your tenants, and avoiding any penalties that you might face as the owner or managing agent of a property.

 

If you’re still unsure about your obligations as a managing agent or a landlord or you would like to arrange your regular scheduled fire and emergency lighting checks don’t hesitate to get in touch.