Electrical safety standards for a home are not designed just so there will be certain rules to follow. These serve as guidelines for people to follow so that they can be sure that electrical work is properly installed and designed for everyone’s safety. For a homeowner to be sure his home meets standards for electrical design, he must call a reliable electrician who only does his work based on standards. Being proactive regarding this matter should be everyone’s responsibility. Who wouldn’t want to protect his loved ones by avoiding hazards in every way he can?
In the US, the years 2005 to 2009 reported fires caused by electrical failures. Electrical works are crucial because if not done properly, it may cause fire and damage property and take lives. Some people resort to shortcuts and do not follow standard procedures because they want to reduce cost and time. Unknowingly, their desire to minimize spending may actually cost them a fortune if something worst happens. Safety standards should be followed not just in electrical wiring, but also in upgrades and even small fixes. It is because most reported short circuits come from fixes not properly done.
The most basic way of ensuring safety for your home is asking for the service of a qualified electrician who doesn’t just know how to do electrical work but also knows how to do it based on standards. Safety should always be the foremost concern of anyone. It is best to know when to call a professional. It is highly critical to determine whether you can do repairs on your own or count on a skilled worker to handle the job. It is also important to know if the repair or installation requires a permit or inspection from the local government. Some repairs need not require permits, but works must be able to follow standards set by national codes for electrical works. Most cities or states issue permits to electricians before they can be qualified to do work based on standards so request your electrician to show his or her permits if you want to be sure. Most states design codes based on national codes. Those that do not have state codes leave the matter to local jurisdictions. Contractors are also required to secure a necessary permit before they can operate.
If you are planning to build your dream home, pay attention to hiring competent contractors for electrical works who have the required permits and licenses and make sure you also have the needed license for electrical design for your soon to be home. Never underestimate these things and settle with cheap, standards work and materials. It is because you and your entire family’s well-being are at stake. You should open up your mind that standards are not created to make things difficult for you, but rather to protect you and your loved ones in the long run. They are designed to keep things right and in order and provide safety for everyone concerned. Complying with safety standards also protects the worker in the process.
Aside from safety standards, one of the main issues added in new codes is going green. That means ensuring that electrical work is designed in order to use less energy. This is an important feature because it protects the overall welfare of people and the environment as a whole.