• Incorrect installation of switch board, the white switchboard on the right should have been mounted horizontally
• Switchboard in need of upgrading. There is no cover and there are missing protective blanking plates.

Ensure

• A1.1.1.

  electrical safety switches are retro-fitted to older houses

• A1.1.2.

  electrical safety switches are fitted to new houses

• A1.1.3.

  each circuit, including power, lights, air conditioning, refrigerator and, where appropriate or compulsory the hot water system and stove are protected by separate electrical safety switches

• A1.1.4.

  people can easily reach the electrical safety switch to reset it or to isolate an electrical fault

• A1.1.5.

  the meter box or switchboard is robust enough for regular access.

Consider

• locating the safety switches inside the house in a consumer switchboard
• checking the location and height of safety switches, so they can be reached by people with disabilities, but out of children’s reach
• specifying a switchboard with the capacity for future expansion; such as a modular enclosure with at least two extra blank circuits
• providing a number of circuits for lights and power in large houses
• separating the power circuits for the kitchen and wet areas, so that these areas can be isolated for safer cleaning.
• switchboard should be able to accommodate an expansion of 25%

Real world examples of Solutions

• Residents shown how to check safety switches
• Switchboard fitted with dust cover
• Switchboard is installed for easy reach
• Safety switches on an electrical demonstration board designed to train community maintenance staff
• Electrician testing safety switches

• the consumer switchboard is installed in the house at a height that is easy to reach by people with disabilities but not by young children
  

  When: COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION
  AT HANDOVER

• the consumer switchboard is installed in the house at a height that is easy to reach by people with disabilities but not by young children
  

  When: AT HANDOVER
  FINAL COMPLETION

• all safety switches and circuit breakers can be turned on and off, and that the test buttons on the safety switches work
  

  When: AT HANDOVER
  FINAL COMPLETION
  TRADE TEST

• each circuit is labelled using a permanent marker, and that labels are easy to read and understand; for example, write ‘hot water system’ instead of ‘HWS’
  

  When: COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION
  AT HANDOVER
  FINAL COMPLETION
  TRADE TEST

• a qualified electrician has provided a ‘certificate of compliance’ for the electrical installation.
  

  When: AT HANDOVER
  FINAL COMPLETION
  TRADE TEST

• electrical safety switches and circuit breakers.
  

  When: AT HANDOVER
  FINAL COMPLETION
  TRADE TEST

As part of cyclical maintenance:

• show residents and community housing staff how to check that electrical safety switches are working properly and encourage regular checks; for example, check every three months as part of a community maintenance program
  

  Who : Local Maintenance Team, Housing Management

  When : 3 Months

• trade test electrical safety switches and have a licensed electrician fix or replace faulty switches. Ensure electricians lodge a ‘notice of work’ when upgrading electrical safety switches.
  

  Who : Electrician

  When : 24 Months

AS/NZS 3000:2000, Amendment 1–2001, Amendment 2–2002 Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules).

AS 1428.1–2001, Design for access and mobility⎯General requirements for access⎯New building work.

AS 4299–1995, Adaptable housing.