Fatally Flawed

[PC Electrics]

Not sure if we've ever highlighted this here and as i've recently been reminded I thought i would bring it to everyones attention.

FatallyFlawed

 

[Evans Electric]

I think its been done but doesn't hurt to reinforce the message . Always thought they were a carp idea on BS 13A sockets .

Also the dodgey phone and game chargers on the market are worrying . Some have the pins less than 9.5mm from the edge of the device so a child's fingers can touch them and the shelac on the transformer windings is so poor it breaks down and there is a case of a phone charger putting 240V into a cellphone while someone was using it , phone exploded , major burns apparently.

 

[Lee321]

they could of made them so the earth prong doesnt lift the shutters headbang

 

[WarrenG]

I think its been done but doesn't hurt to reinforce the message . Always thought they were a carp idea on BS 13A sockets .Also the dodgey phone and game chargers on the market are worrying . Some have the pins less than 9.5mm from the edge of the device so a child's fingers can touch them and the shelac on the transformer windings is so poor it breaks down and there is a case of a phone charger putting 240V into a cellphone while someone was using it , phone exploded , major burns apparently.

Not just dodgey and game chargers on the market either.

The PAT Testing directory - Electrical Safety Product Recall Notices

Its ironic that Ofsted enforce the use of safety socket covers in number of schools / nursery schools etc.

 

[ProDave]

This is a valid concern to raise.

But IMO a far BIGGER concern is the design of standard BC and ES light bulb holders. With the bulb removed the contacts are bare for little fingers to go and get a shock. a particular hazard on table lights etc which are within easy reach.

I cannot understand why these are still normal fitment. If they were designed today, we would all say how stupid wouldn't we?

Isn't it about time standard BC and ES light sockets were phased out, and a replacement with shrouded contacts introduced? The shrouded contacts of a GU10 would be a good place to base a replacement standard light holder on.

 

[AcombAndy]

This is a valid concern to raise.But IMO a far BIGGER concern is the design of standard BC and ES light bulb holders. With the bulb removed the contacts are bare for little fingers to go and get a shock. a particular hazard on table lights etc which are within easy reach.

At school one lad burnt the end of his finger off when he stuck it in a bedside light he found grouping around under his bed . It was switched 'on' with no bulb in...

 

[steptoe]

Electrical appliance safety - Amprobe digital clamp meter

Isn't it about time standard BC and ES light sockets were phased out, and a replacement with shrouded contacts introduced?

you do get a BC lamp holder that does this very thing when the lamp is removed,

they used to be specified by Douglas corporation IoM,

 

[Socketman]

As one of the founders of FatallyFlawed I would like to thank PC for raising this subject again.

Action to eliminate the danger of cheap and flimsy plastic gadgets posing as essential safety requirements will only be achieved by concerted efforts on the part of all those who care about the subject. Electricians are the true experts in this area.

One of the things which many contractors have done to further the cause is to highlight the issue on their own website, often with links to fatallyflawed.org.uk and sometimes by embedding the FatallyFlawed YouTube video. We thank all those who have done this.

Its ironic that Ofsted enforce the use of safety socket covers in number of schools / nursery schools etc.

Ofsted used to require the use of covers, but abandoned that policy in late 2008 as a result of FatallyFlawed warning them of the dangers. Ofsted is now officially neutral on the subject. Occasionally individual inspectors still ask for socket covers, but if that occurs then an appeal should be made to Ofsted head office who will ensure that the inspector is made to understand the error of their ways.

IMO a far BIGGER concern is the design of standard BC and ES light bulb holders. With the bulb removed the contacts are bare for little fingers to go and get a shock. a particular hazard on table lights etc which are within easy reach.

This is an important issue, but it should be remembered that ceiling lamps are usually beyond reach of a child, and a sensible parent would not use floor lamps or table lamps in areas where small children are left to play. It is up to the parent or carer to ensure that no appliances which present a danger to children are ever left within reach of a small child. The situation is very different with fixed wall sockets, they are, by definition, fixed. That is why it so important that we not allow the safety of BS 1363 sockets, which have served us very well since 1947, to be compromised by the ignorant and foolish.

There is a standard, BS 7895, for bayonet lampholders with enhanced safety. I am not aware of any regulations that demand their use in the way that the Plugs and Sockets regulations ensure that only shuttered sockets are sold in this country, but wonder if anyone knows better?

See voltimum.co.uk/news/1397/cm/mk-s-shockguard-lampholders-become-safer-still.html for information on MK's safety lampholder.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Dr Adam Hart-Davis looks like Rolf Harris.

 

[WarrenG]

Ofsted used to require the use of covers, but abandoned that policy in late 2008 as a result of FatallyFlawed warning them of the dangers. Ofsted is now officially neutral on the subject. Occasionally individual inspectors still ask for socket covers, but if that occurs then an appeal should be made to Ofsted head office who will ensure that the inspector is made to understand the error of their ways.

Many thanks for this Socketman, have a number of schools / nursery schools as customers and as you say some are still being asked for socket covers.

It would be nice to have something official in writing from Ofstead to show customers that they are neutral about the subject but I do doubt that after reinforcing the use of the devices for so long they probably would want to broadcast it too much?

 

[Socketman]

It would be nice to have something official in writing from Ofstead to show customers that they are neutral about the subject but I do doubt that after reinforcing the use of the devices for so long they probably would want to broadcast it too much?

Thanks Warren. Ofsted head office is quite clear on its position. Anyone who needs confirmation should contact them. Here is a website which has no connection to FatallyFlawed which may be a useful reference (being a newbie here I am not allowed to make this a link, but perhaps someone could repost it?:

http://www.patmarshall.co.uk/health_and_safety/socket_covers.htm

 

[PC Electrics]

I'll oblige:

Dangerous Socket Covers

 

[Socketman]

Thanks PC!

 

[user 6351]

I've allowed my missus to fit these in a few of our sockets even though I had my reservations (for the reasons quoted, i.e. that the BS covers safety anyway!!)

I shall be removing them as soon as I finish posting this (well, unless I get distracted by a site with kittens playing pianos or something similar...)

 

[wozz]

You would have to be quite cunning to defeat a shutter, unless it was broken, unshielded pins on plugs would pose a greater danger to little hands and they are fine for continued service apparently!

 

[Socketman]

For those who want to help childminders and nurseries etc, here is a link to Childminding Help with a suggested policy which can be used in those situations: sockets

 

[cadspark]

I noticed in Asda alongside their new range of sockets and light switches were packets of socket covers for sale.

 

[steptoe]

I noticed in Asda alongside their new range of sockets and light switches were packets of socket covers for sale.

well,

complain,

I have done much to the wifes annoyance,

til I pointed out it could be our kid being belted!