BS EN 50172:2024 is the British and European Standard covering the installation, verification, operation, testing, maintenance and documentation of emergency escape lighting systems. In simple terms, if BS EN 1838 is concerned with how emergency lighting should perform, BS EN Read more
What is BS EN 1838:2024? BS EN 1838:2024 is the British and European Standard that sets out the lighting performance requirements for emergency lighting in buildings. In simple terms, it deals with questions such as: How much emergency light is Read more
BS 5266-1:2025 is the current British Standard providing guidance on emergency lighting in premises. Published in October 2025, it replaced BS 5266-1:2016 and provides recommendations for the design, installation and application of emergency lighting systems when the normal lighting supply Read more
Do you need to be an electrician to carry out PAT testing? Is using a pass/fail tester enough, or should you be able to interpret electrical readings? HSE addresses this in HSG107: Maintaining portable electrical equipment, which describes two levels Read more
No. You do not legally need a specific qualification to carry out PAT testing in the UK. However, the person doing the work must have sufficient technical knowledge or experience to prevent danger, or must work under an appropriate level Read more
A recent investigation by consumer organisation Which? has found potentially dangerous phone chargers being sold through major online marketplaces and well-known retail websites. Of the 15 chargers tested, nine reportedly presented serious electric shock risks, while eight posed potential fire Read more
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and BSI have published Amendment 4 (2026) to BS 7671, the UK’s wiring regulations. This is the latest update to the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations, and it reflects how modern Read more
A new national study from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has revealed a worrying truth about electrical safety in the UK (source): Most people think their homes are safe, but many haven’t checked in years. According to the Read more
For years, the BS 546 plug was seen as a relic of older electrical installations, something you would only expect to find in period properties or specialist applications. But recently, it has been making a quiet comeback. And not by Read more
What is PAT testing? Portable appliance testing (PAT), formally referred to in standards as in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment, is a process used to verify that electrical equipment remains safe to use throughout its working life. The process Read more