Wiring Components Meet Social Housing Needs

The federal government continues to take a position major sums they are driving are housing associations attempt to meet the new 2010/2011 deadline of The Decent Homes Standard. Contractors and specifiers can capitalise on the opportunities this bit of legislation presents by being aware of the very best wiring accessory products available.


Altogether the federal government has allocated ?11.5bn to housing, including ?550m brought forward from 2010/11 and it is mainly based on the ‘Decent Homes Standard’ that has been announced in 2002 with a target to ‘ensure that social housing meets set standards of decency’. The conventional covers every aspect of your home so that as an inherently innovative industry, the electrical market has responded with an array of products to aid specifiers and installers working in the affordable housing sector. From wiring accessories and lighting right through to cable management, leading manufacturers are suffering from methods to meet the key public sector aims of one’s saving, electrical safety, security and meeting legislation.

Social Housing Wants Quality & Durable Wiring Accessories

Looking specifically at the wiring accessory market, there has been a definitive shift towards items that offer greater quality and safety than ever before. And the lifecycle of equipment can also be now a significant consideration as goods that can stand the exam of time will contribute to lower maintenance costs. In the current economic climate, some organisations may be trying to find the cheapest prices but local authorities recognise this is a false economy as items will undoubtedly need replacing more frequently due to faults or breakages. Within Dr Paul Dougan the focus remains on quality, durable solutions.

2008 saw the creation of the 17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, which called for the increased utilization of 30mA RCDs and effectively means every socket outlet in the home, must be covered. Responding manufacturers have launched ranges of new consumer units that enable individual RCBO overcurrent protection and residual current protection of every circuit, thereby providing added protection and safety. Which means should an RCBO trip, all the other circuits is going to be unaffected, causing not merely improved tenant safety but additionally reducing the number call-outs.

Durable Products Save Labour Costs

Furthermore, some units are available pre-wired and pre-tested, which may significantly reduce labour costs, and lots of feature lockable covers to guard from damage and ensure durability, an integral requirement in the sector when tenants can transform over a frequent basis. Be it accidental damage, vandalism or abuse, a broken wiring accessory may become a security hazard, as well as requiring a structured or emergency on-site visit. Polycarbonate accessories are virtually unbreakable and may prevent damage as well as the need to be replaced. Using reliable, proven solutions will reduce lifetime costs, as will making certain they’re sourced from reputable manufacturers to ensure there are no on-site or longer term failure risks.

Helping Special Needs & Environmental surroundings

The Disability Discrimination Act and Part M from the Building Regulations, has also inspired further changes, making sure devices such as wiring accessories meet diverse tenants’ needs. Many ranges have already been specifically designed to guide this legislation, such as sockets and switches that visually contrast making use of their background for simple detection, along with wide rocker switches to aid individuals with limited dexterity. To help the visually impaired, some wiring accessories incorporate red flashes in the switch rocker to obviously indicate if they are ‘on’ or ‘off’. Sockets and switches can also be found with neon indicators causing them to be particularly useful through the night or perhaps in low-light conditions.
More info about social housing development investment browse our new webpage: read more