The Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 has mandated that all company owners in Queensland must adhere to the policies that can make their workplace safe from electrical accidents. Among the required safety procedures is the regular testing and tagging of electrical equipment at work to ensure you and your employees are working in a hazard-free environment.

Here are more reasons why you should always do a test and tag in your workplace. Read on.

Test and tag requires a qualified electrician to inspect your electrical devices. In doing so, they are able to identify potential electrical hazards.

Among some of the important risks being addressed during the test and tag procedure are:

• Frayed or open wirings and cables
• Earth continuity
• Water Leakage
• Resistance to insulation
• Worn or damaged electrical equipment

When left unchecked, these problems can cause a short circuit, electrocution, and fire. Thus, early detection through testing and tagging is an absolute must.

When your company’s electrical equipment suddenly fails, you’ll have more concerns on your plate than the risk it may cost. Broken equipment hinders your employees from working productively. It will either be, letting them work manually or suspend their tasks until the replacement arrives. These two options are both unproductive and will take a blow on your company’s income. 

By getting your equipment regularly checked by a licensed electrician, you can detect possible problems before they emerge and get them repaired or replaced without disrupting your workflow.

Running a routine testing and tagging of electrical equipment by a licensed electrical contractor can help you in drafting your office safety and risk reduction strategy. This is crucial not only for government compliance but it also ensures the safety of your stakeholders.

Getting your workplace electrical equipment tested and tagged regularly can result in lower insurance costs because it demonstrates that there is a low probability of an electrical accident occurring in your workplace. This leaves you with a good impression on your insurance company.

The best way to avoid an accident, is, after all, to be prepared for it. Electrical testing and tagging are important in keeping electrical hazards in your workplace at bay. It is a proactive way of dealing with electrical risks that may harm your business.

Should you need a reliable electrician for testing and tagging in your workplace, then we are just a call away. Schedule an appointment with us.

We often think of repainting, adding shelves, and changing the flooring as what consists of the so-called “home renovations”. However, some of us may not know that updating your home’s electrical system, appliances, and other electrical devices is also considered part of home renovations.

Electrical renovation is a good home maintenance practice that will not only make your home safer but will also make it more functional and beautiful. Here, we listed the three most common home electrical renovations that can beautify your home without spending much money.

It might not sound much but adding electrical devices such as extra switches, power outlets, and extensions can do wonders in your home’s functionality. As your family grows, your electrical requirement at home also increases.

Ten years ago, your little ones did not have their phones which they need to recharge at least twice a day now. Once your children grow and move into their own separate bedrooms, they will also need additional power outlets for things like fans and mobile phone charging. These things must be considered for good home maintenance.

Keep in mind that the major cause of electrical accidents is overloading. When you barely have enough power outlets to support the whole household, this is likely to happen. Therefore, you have to assess whether your home needs additional electrical devices for it to be more functional.

Another common home electrical renovation in Queensland is the changing of light fixtures. For one, most homeowners who bought a new property may not prefer the lights in their new home. This encourages them to change the lighting as part of their home renovations before moving in. To some, shifting into more energy-efficient lights such as LED is a good renovation idea. Some homeowners want to upgrade their house’s lighting into smart lights that automatically turn on and off to save electricity.

Moreover, updating the lightings in your home can improve the aesthetic quality of your house. For instance, pendant lights work well with minimalist interior designs. In reality, pendant lights are the most commonly used type of lighting as far back as ancient Greece. Should you prefer a grand and classy look for your house, you can also install a chandelier on your dining room, living room, and bedroom. Wall lights and floor lights for stairs can also improve not only the aesthetics of your home but the safety as well.

Whether it’s an owned and occupied house or a rental property, there are various electrical safety devices you can find at home. We have smoke alarms, circuit breakers and safety switches, to name a few. These electrical safety devices are often installed in compliance with safety standards set by the government. Since they are mandated, homeowners and landlords/landladies must get a qualified electrician to install them on their properties. It is also crucial that these devices are constantly tested for possible repair and replacement.

Aside from compliance with the laws, homeowners also get their safety devices checked often to ensure safety within their property.

Should you find yourself planning these home electrical renovations in Brendale and Petrie or Brisbane Northside, you must seek the help of a qualified electrician. One of the electrical safety regulations set by the Queensland government is that electrical works must solely be done by licensed electricians. When you entrust your electrical renovation works to professionals, you are ensuring the safety of your family from electric hazards.

Need help with any of the renovations listed above? Send us a message.

Although we do not have white winters in Queensland, the months of June to August are still chilly compared to other seasons. Therefore, most of us still use various heating materials to make our indoors more comfortable.

In this blog, we will share with you some ways to avoid fire hazards this winter.

Heating appliances are among the major causes of fire hazard at home. Since they emit heat energy, these appliances tend to overheat if used incorrectly. Also, you have to take extra precaution when using some heating appliances as they are not advisable for certain situations. Here’s what you need to know with some of the most common residential heating appliances:

Bar Heater

A bar heater is an electric device with heating rods that diffuses heat to the room when turned on. It’s similar to the heat rods used in our oven toasters. The bar heater works fast and is effective in making the room warm. However, it cost quite a toll on your energy bill. Moreover, it is not advisable to use a bar heater for a long time as it tends to overheat. So it is best to turn it off before going to bed.

Fan-Heat-Light for Bathrooms

If you do not want to be bothered by the chill after stepping out of the shower, installing a fan-heat-light device in your bathroom is convenient. This three-in-one heating system can serve as an exhaust fan, heating appliance, and lighting. It is generally safe to use this device in your bathroom, just keep in mind to let a qualified electrician do the installation. Never try to install this device on your own to avoid short circuit and electrocution.

Electric Blankets

Electric blankets are a very comfortable sleeping aid during winter. This special blanket may be in the form of an over blanket, underblanket, or duvet. The blanket has wirings inside to produce warmth. However, you should never use an electric blanket overnight to avoid electrocution and electric burns. Pregnant women should also refrain from using this.

Should you want a smart way to keep your room warm during the winter season, an AC with a reverse feature is the best option. A reverse split type air conditioner can be used as a typical cooling system in its usual cycle. This is a better alternative because it makes use of the warm air outdoors to heat your room. This makes it a sustainable and energy-efficient option.

We also prefer to keep our patio, verandah, and balcony warm during the winter season. Although using a patio heater can be more effective, it is not entirely energy-efficient. A patio heater is very similar to a bar heater, the only difference is it has more heating capacity because it is designed for outdoor use. So for a more energy-saving method, you can use your ceiling fan instead.

Did you know that ceiling fans can warm your outdoor spaces during winter? By setting it in a clockwise direction and running it in a low cycle, you can direct the warm air down to your patio. It requires less energy consumption and is safer when it comes to fire hazards.

Conclusion

Fire hazards should be addressed promptly, especially now that the winter season has finally started. For better protection, it is also recommended to install fire alarms inside your home. This will help in the early detection of fire and is effective in preventing the accident.

Should you need help in the installation, testing, and repair of your heating devices in Brendale and Petrie or Brisbane Northside? Send us a message.

One of the best things about modern technology is the so-called “internet of things”. This principle aims to connect devices into one system that can perform several tasks in a given set up. At present, it benefits our homes more than any other environment.

A smart home isn’t called “smart” for nothing. It is a home where different devices are installed to make living easier and comfortable. A smart home offers energy efficiency, disaster preparedness, and ultimate owner control among other features.

Do you want to turn your home into a smart one? These three smart devices are a good starter. With these three energy savers, your home will surely trim down the energy consumption without compromising your comfort.

Smart Lighting

There are several advancements made to make the use of household lights as energy-efficient as possible. From using a compact fluorescent light bulb to shifting into LED lights, innovators are doing their best to provide energy saver lighting.

Smart lighting is a household lighting system that comes with heat sensors. The sensors detect if there is a person inside the room. The lights will automatically turn on and stay on as long as the room is inhabited. When the person leaves the room, the lights will automatically turn off.

Did you know that a huge part of wasted energy in the household is due to the lights being left on?

We often failed to notice this because we didn’t consider lights to be very energy-consuming. Some of us even developed the habit of not turning off the light. With smart lighting, turning the lights on and off is as simple as walking in and out of the room.

Thermostat

With a thermostat device, energy efficiency is possible with your air conditioner. A thermostat is a sensor that detects if there are occupants in the room. The air conditioner’s performance is adjusted accordingly depending on the people’s movement. Thus, even when your child forgets to turn off the AC after leaving his room, it will turn off automatically.

Another feature of a thermostat is that it can detect when a window or door is open. Openings waste so much of the AC’s performance. When a window or door is left open, the air conditioner will automatically turn off.

Energy Monitor

A sudden increase in your electrical bill can be distressing. We started to monitor household activities as though it would save energy. However, some of us cannot keep an eye on household electricity use for some reasons, such as the need to go to work. Good thing there is a smart device that can take care of the task for you.

Energy monitors are smart devices that come with mobile applications. It records the energy consumption within the house in a detailed manner. Using an energy monitor, you can keep track of the times of the day and parts of the house that consume a lot of electricity.

Conclusion

Adding smart devices into your house can do wonders in energy efficiency. Should you need to upgrade your house into a smart home? Lederlec can help, talk to us today to learn more about smart devices we can add to your homes.

Sometimes, we think fixing electrical problems is as easy as changing a light bulb. Indeed, we do not need an electrician to change our light bulbs at home, but other electrical works aren’t as simple.

Electrical Protection Act 2002 states define electrical work as “the manufacturing, constructing, installing, testing, maintaining, repairing, altering, removing, or replacing of electrical equipment” in residential and commercial properties. These activities are meant to be handled only by licensed electricians. Attempting DIY electrical work can cause you a lot of problems. In this blog, we will share with you why you shouldn’t try electrical works on your own.

What is considered electrical works?

You must be aware of what-not-to-do to avoid doing them, right? According to the Electrical Safety Board of Queensland Government, these activities are considered as electrical works:

• replacing the switch of house lights
• installation of power points
• changing the location of a powerpoint
• replacing the plug at the end of the extension leads
• installing a ceiling fan in place of a light fitting
• repairing household appliances no matter the size and issue

All of these activities must be done by professional and licensed electricians. However, buying an electrical appliance and other necessary materials for electrical work is not prohibited. Still, the condition remains that the electrical work is handled only by authorized tradesmen.

What are the negative effects of DIY electrical work?

Apart from being illegal, people who do unlicensed electrical work are faced with the dangers of electrical shock. This accident can be fatal for them as well as their families. Even when you think you have managed to do the electrical work successfully, you are not sure when it will backfire. Will you risk your loved one’s safety when they come in contact with faulty electrical work?

DIY electrical work can also cause an electrical fire. Unlike ordinary fire, extinguishing electrical fire has a different method. Whether you are knowledgeable about it or not, it is more difficult to deal with electrical fire. Therefore, preventing such an occurrence is the best thing to do.

As mentioned above, unauthorized electrical work is punishable by law. Electrical safety officers in Queensland are investigating unlicensed electrical work and can cause you a huge sum of money for penalty and/or imprisonment.

What are the penalties for unlicensed electrical work?

DIY electrical work is considered unlicensed electrical work. People caught doing DIY electrical work can be faced with penalties of up to $40,000.

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In more serious cases, which typically involve the destruction of properties and causing injuries to other individuals, penalties are stricter. An incident caused by DIY and unlicensed electrical work can get you a maximum penalty of $600,000 ($3,000,000 for a corporation) or five years imprisonment.

Conclusion

Therefore, doing unauthorized electrical work is a no-no. Don’t attempt to work on your household electrical system as it can endanger you and your family. It can lead to disasters that are better off prevented with the help of a licensed electrician.

Should you need the help of licensed electricians for your electrical works at home? Talk to us today so we can give you the appropriate solutions.

Are you renting a property in Queensland or planning to rent a house in the Northern Brisbane area? Do you have a rental property? If you are in any of these circumstances, you have to know the electrical safety laws for rental properties in Queensland, because strict compliance with these laws is expected from both rental owners and tenants alike.

What are the electrical safety laws for rental properties in Queensland?

Electrical safety laws for rental properties seek to ensure the safety of the tenants. These laws also aim to prevent injuries, casualties, and damages to public and private properties. Here are some of the important things you should remember:

Installation of Safety Switch

As a rental property owner, you must always secure that your rentals have an installed and working safety switch. It can help protect your tenants from electrical emergencies. In the same way, it is also advantageous to protect your investment from such an incident.

On the other hand, if you are a tenant who will be moving into a rental property; then you have to check if your unit has safety switches installed in the switchboard. You should be able to see at least one safety switch in the property you’re renting. It is mandated for property rentals in Queensland to have at least one safety switched installed.

You can easily tell if there is a safety switch at your property as it will be labelled with “TEST” on your switchboard. If you couldn’t find one, you should ask the property owner about it. If there is one, ensure that it gets tested every three months or change in season. Remember that compliance with safety switch installation is both the owner and the tenant’s responsibility.

Compliance with Smoke Alarm Regulation

Smoke alarms can save lives. The installation of smoke alarms for properties whether privately owned or rented are mandated in Queensland. As a tenant, you must check if the property you are renting has complied with the regulation, however, the property manager should provide you with a certificate of compliance within 14 days of the signing of the lease.

Additionally, it is the task of the tenants to maintain the smoke alarm installed in their rented properties. They need to check for flat or nearly flat batteries and test the test button. Should you encounter a problem with the smoke alarm, you must inform your landlord at once.

Do not attempt to fix an electrical problem in the unit

This rule applies to both the landlord and the tenant. If there is a problem with any electrical components inside the unit, the tenant must inform the owner. The owner must then contact a licensed electrician to work on the electrical problem.

Attempting to do DIY electrical work is dangerous. It can cause accidents such as electrical shock and fire. Unlicensed electrical work is also punishable by law. Violators may face penalties such as fine and imprisonment depending on the severity of the case.

Report tingles or shock immediately

As a tenant, you might experience a tingle or electrical shock when coming in contact with metals inside the property. This must not be taken for granted. When you experience such a sensation, you must immediately inform your tenant. Your landlord must call for an electric maintenance service provider as soon as possible. This will help prevent more serious accidents.

Proper use of electrical appliances

Tenants are expected to take care of the property while renting. Part of such responsibility is to ensure that the appliances are being used properly. Follow the instructions on how to use electrical appliances at all times. Do not overuse a power outlet and avoid getting appliances in close contact with water.

Buying electrical appliances online should also be minimized. Overseas appliances may not have the authorization to be used in Queensland. It will be safer to buy at registered appliance centres in the area.

Conclusion

We work with a number of Strata Property Management companies keeping rental properties safe and maintained. If you work for a Property Management Company, are a Property Manager, or even own a Rental Property give us a call today to discuss how we can help you and help maintain your property portfolio.