asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is satisfied that the safety of electricity users is ensured by the existing scope of inspection by inspectors of the Electricity Supply Board; and if he will have steps taken to ensure that electricity is not supplied to premises until the Board's inspectors examine and approve all wiring and installations in such premises.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Safety of Electrical Installations.
8.
The Electricity Supply Board's General Conditions Relating to Supply provide that an installation will be passed before being connected. The passing of an installation by the Board simply means that it has complied with the required insulation tests and by no means implies that the work has been done in the best possible manner. The Board takes no responsibility in respect of testing a consumer's installation or for any loss or damage which may be occasioned by fire or by an accident arising from the state of the installation. The responsibility for all wiring on the consumer's side of the Board's main fuse rests solely between him and the electrical contractor who installs the wiring. The Board does not and cannot accept responsibility for the safety of electrical work carried out by contractors or individuals.
It will be appreciated that the Board could not be satisfied that there would be no danger in relation to an installation unless the Board could ensure that the installation would never be loaded beyond the capacity which it was designed to carry. This would not, of course, be practicable.
Apart from the required insulation tests, the Board naturally ensures that installations, which would clearly be unsafe for the use intended, are not connected to its supply.
In relation to factories and workshops, regulations are in force in regard to the use of electricity in those premises. Inspectors of the Department of Labour carry out inspections for the enforcement of these regulations.
With regard to premises other than factories and workshops, there is provision under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 for the making of regulations. I understand that An Foras Forbartha have drafted regulations for electrical installations in such premises, which will be submitted in due course to the Minister for Local Government. I understand that these regulations cover all necessary safety precautions to be observed for new electrical installations in premises other than factories and workshops and that non-compliance with the regulations, when they come into force, will be an offence liable to prosecution.