REGENT ESTATES WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT TO ALL LANDLORDS SAFETY GUIDELINES.

THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT 1987 - SAFETY

THE TYPES OF GOODS INVOLVED INCLUDE:

• PORTABLE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND PLUGS
• UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE
• GAS COOKERS
  SAFETY PROVISIONS ALSO APPLY TO
• FIREGUARDS
• CARRYCOT STANDS
• BUNK BEDS
• TOYS
• OTHER GAS APPLIANCE
  
  THERE ARE DETAILED SAFETY REQUIREMENTS WHICH APPLY TO THE ITEMS ALREADY MENTIONED. BELOW, HOWEVER, THIS IS A BRIEF GUIDE TO LIKELY PROBLEMS WHICH MAY BE FOUND AND THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
  
  ELECTRICAL SAFETY - PROBLEMS TO LOOK FOR:
  
  
• FRAYED OR DAMAGED CABLES
• OLD APPLIANCES WITH METAL PARTS AND NO EARTH
• DAMAGE ALLOWING ACCESS TO LIVE PARTS
• FIREGUARD OPENINGS WHICH ALLOW ACCESS TO THE ELEMENTS -MAXIMUM GAP IS 25 X 12 MM, OR 50 X 20 MM FOR SILICON COVERED ELEMENTS
• LAMP SOCKETS WITH NO SHIELDING FOR THE METAL PART OF THE BULB
• LOOSE OR WORN CONNECTIONS -E.G. KETTLE SOCKETS OVERHEATING
• INCORRECT FUSES
• INCORRECT PLUGS (METAL PINS SHOULD BE SLEEVED)
• CORD GRIP INOPERATIVE.
  
  UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE
  
  SINCE 1 MARCH 1993, SECOND HAND FURNITURE MUST PASS THE FIRE SAFETY TESTS APPLICABLE TO NEW FURNITURE. FURNITURE WHICH COMPLIES WILL BE LABELLED WITH A PERMANENT LABEL WITH THE WORDS “CARELESSNESS CAUSES FIRE “ A BATCH NUMBER AND AN INDICATION THAT THE UPHOLSTERY WITH THE REGULATIONS.
  
  MOST COMPLYING FURNITURE MAY CONTINUE TO BE SUPPLIED IN LET ACCOMMODATION PRIOR TO 1 MARCH 1993. ANY REPLACEMENT OR ADDITIONAL UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE PUT INTO LET ACCOMMODATION MUST COMPLY WITH THE SAFETY REGULATIONS.
  
  GAS COOKERS - SAFETY REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE
  
  
• SEALED OVEN DOORS TO PREVENT ESCAPE OF GAS
• ANY BURNER IGNITING DEVICE MUST IGNITE PROMPTLY
• TAPS OR HANDLES SO DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT THEY CANNOT BE TURNED ON ACCIDENTALLY
• OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS - EITHER ON THE APPLIANCE OR IN A BOOKLET
• INSTRUCTIONS MARKED ON TAP HANDLES INDICATING WHICH TAP CONTROLS WHICH BURNER AND THE RELEVANT CONTROL POSITIONS FOR EACH TAP
• A WARNING AGAINST CLOSING LID BEFORE BURNERS ARE EXTINGUISHED - ALTHOUGH THIS DOES NOT APPLY WHERE THE LID AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF THE BURNERS.
  
  GAS SAFETY
  
  THE GAS SAFETY (INSTALLATION AND USE) REGULATIONS 1994 ARE ENFORCED BY THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE-WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL PROSECUTIONS UNDER THE ACT- AND CAME INTO EFFECT ON 31 OCTOBER 1994. THE MAIN PROVISIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
  
  
• ONLY CORGI REGISTERED FITTERS MAY BE USED TO WORK ON GAS PIPES OR APPLIANCES (DIY WORK IS NOT PERMITTED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES)
• OWNERS ARE REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT ALL GAS APPLIANCES ARE SAFE
• AMONGST OTHER THINGS, THEY MUST ENSURE THAT A CORGI INSPECTION IS CARRIED OUT ANNUALLY.
• A RECORD MUST BE KEPT OF ALL INSPECTIONS (INCLUDING THE DATE OF INSPECTION AND DETAILS OF ANY DEFECTS IDENTIFIED AND THE REMEDIAL ACTION TAKEN) AND BE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.
• ANY UNSAFE APPLIANCES MUST BE DISCONNECTED
• A RESTRICTION IS IMPOSED ON THE SIZE AND TYPE OF APPLIANCE PERMITTED IN BATHROOMS AND BEDROOMS.