An online forum, established by leading safety charity, Electrical Safety First, clarifying Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) for contractors and other interested groups, has proved a popular resource, with 87,000 views in one year \u2013 and over 5,000 in just one month.<\/p>\n
The forum \u2013 the Wiring Regulations Advisory Group (WRAG) \u2013 comprises representatives from a range of bodies involved in developing the Wiring Regulations and offers guidance on frequently asked questions, which are posted on the Charity\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we can\u2019t respond to individual queries \u2013 we would simply be snowed under \u2013 we ask contractors and installers who are seeking technical advice on the regulations to contact their registration or trade body, who can submit the question to the forum, with responses published on our website,\u201d explains Martyn Allen, Head of Electrical Safety First\u2019s Electro-technical Department.<\/p>\n
Previously, when a number of people had raised the same or similar questions about BS 7671, the issue could be dealt with directly by the committee which oversees the Wiring Regulations. But this stopped when the new Standard for Standards (BS02011) \u2013 published in 2012 by the British Standards Institution (BSI) \u2013 prohibited standards\u2019 committees from providing an individual interpretation of standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe developed WRAG because it was obvious to us that it was in no-one\u2019s interest if different industry bodies issued conflicting advice,\u201d adds Martyn. \u201cAnd although the information provided by WRAG is intended for electrical industry professionals, others, including landlords, may find it of use when looking for advice on electrical matters.\u201d<\/p>\n