BOSSES at a Worcester firm have warned another Grenfell could happen unless action is taken by landlords.
Energy Connection Services have spent years educating owners and landlords of houses in multiple occupation (HMO) about electrical obligations passed to them by recent regulatory changes.
But despite ECS’s efforts, the majority of commercial building owners remain unaware of critical safety measures they must take at their buildings. Often, these measures are already long overdue.
Under the Electricity and Gas Internal Markets Regulations (2011), responsibility for maintenance of most electricity equipment in multi-occupancy buildings was transferred from local cabling companies like Western Power and to building owners.
This change was not widely publicised and remains a niche area of understanding. Still, legal obligation to ensure cables and some fuses are fit for purpose now rests with the building’s owner.
Distribution Network Operators like Western Power cannot – and do not – voluntarily step in to fill the gaps.
A spokesperson said: “As such, electrical gear is continuing to degrade and decay in the field, with the risk of dangerous failure growing over time. Unless the change in legislation becomes common knowledge, equipment will continue to fail, risking fire and electrocution.
“For building owners, ignorance of the changed regulation will be no defence under law, and legal responsibility for any tragedies will rest with them.
