星空传媒

The British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) is campaigning for the removal of dangerous rubber sheathed cables from all properties as soon as possible.

Chief executive Jeremy Hodge believes that the average householder gives electrical wiring too low a priority when it comes to home renovation. He states that rubber sheathed cables should, at the first opportunity, be replaced because they are potentially degraded and dangerous.

The warning has been extended to social housing providers who are not obliged to carry out electrical maintenance when renovating properties. Hodge said: 鈥淎 new kitchen or bathroom is often prioritised over a rewire. It is astonishing that a rewire is not a prerequisite during this kind of renovation. Rubber sheathed cables could become a major issue for social housing in the near future.

鈥淎lthough government and professional advice has previously been to leave this kind of cabling if it appears in good order, we feel strongly enough to issue a warning that householders and tenants should not be exposed to these kinds of risks.鈥�

Rubber sheathed cabling was first used before the Second World War, through until the 1960s. This type of cabling tends to degrade at the exposed ends, and the brittle sheathing and insulation may fall away when handled. This happens particularly when replacement switches or sockets are installed or when wiring extensions are made. Loss of insulation allows contact between the conductors, which can cause a short circuit or fire.

Last year there were more than 40 000 incidents of house fires recorded in England alone.