Homeowners' responsibility to comply with safety standardsThe increased use of electrical appliances during winter significantly enhances the risk of an electrical fire occurring in South African residential homes. As a result, homeowners must ensure all electrical appliances, usage and supply comply with safety standards and that all insurance policies are up-to-date to cover possible financial losses before the colder months begin. This is according to Nazeer Hoosen, executive director of PPS Short-term Insurance, who says besides the enormous personal safety risks that these fires present, homeowners could face the possibility of having their insurance claim repudiated if electrical connectivity is found to be non-compliant with regulations in the event of a claim. Home seller must supply certificateThe Occupational Health and Safety Act (No 85 of 1993) stipulates that every electrical installation in a residential home must have an Electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC) that is issued by a registered electrician. "It is the responsibility of the home seller to provide this certificate to the deeds office before transfer and once the certificate is obtained it does not expire; however, if alterations are performed to any electrical installation in the home a new certificate must be issued for that installation." Any insurance claim resulting from a fire caused directly or indirectly by negligence or non-compliance to the requirements of the Act may be repudiated, says Hoosen. While there are no current local statistics, electrical fires present a real threat to South African homes, highlighting the importance of adequate preventative measures and compliance with industry standards. Soot can damage whole houseThe smoke and soot from a small fire located in one spot in the home can cause extensive damage throughout the entire home, resulting in the need for carpets, curtains and furniture to be replaced. Consider the added costs of accommodation while repairs are performed and homeowners can end up facing a huge financial loss should their insurance policy not cover the claim. "Compliance with regulations governing electrical installations not only mitigates the chances of an insurance claim being rejected in the event of an electrical fire, but also ensures all electrical appliances are safe for the occupants of the home to use. Thus, it is vital that all homeowners check that the certificate is in place ahead of the cold winter months or they could face severe financial repercussions," concludes Hoosen. Some tips: mitigate the threat of electrical fires in the home:Educating all occupants of the home about the importance of practising safe usage of all electrical installations is key to mitigating the risk of electrical fires. Hoosen provides a few useful tips on how to mitigate the risk of electrical fires in the home: For more information go to www.pps.co.za. |