liability for electrical safety in the office

[jessica]

quick question.
just had the office meter changed it was very old and not suitable. Reputable electricity supplier insisted this was done. Prior the the event the electrics in the office (rented) appeared to be fine. After the new meter fitted lights are all not functioning and plug sockets are dangerous. As in colleague got a shock off one. electric man says the electrics are dangerous. We as a business who rent the office from a landlord contacted him and he says we are 100% liable for the electrics and the gas. It was my understanding as this is not in our contract that he is liable for suitable maintnenance(we do pay a maintenance fee every month to him ) and if this means re wiring then isnt he liable. Or are the electric company liable as the new meter could have shorted everything.
The man that came to change the meter at the electrics request stated that our meter was previously an industrial one and not suitable. As we assume the electricity board fitted it originally are the electric company also liable for fitting the old unsuitable meter.
Obviiously for health and safety reasons staff are not in work until this matter is resolved allowed into the office.
I do appreciate that as a business we have to have certain safety certificates in place. However if the electric is faulty due to lack of care from the landlord is he not liable to replace the outdated system>

Thanks in advance for any advice

[john_p]

Something must be very wrong with the meter installation and you should get straight onto the electricity company straight away. Can your electrician not diagnose it?

The electricity meter is not your property (nor is it the landlord's) and so I can't see how you can have any responsibility for it.

[speedyman]

You state "After the new meter fitted lights are all not functioning and plug sockets are dangerous".
Sounds like someone didn't connect something up properly. Get the company back asap and ask for a report in writting.

Also you should have a test and report done by an electrician for your side of the the installation.
The electrician can test from your consumer unit and verify if "your side" of the installation is faulty or not.

speedyman

[MonkeyHanger]

Get an Electrician in ASAP, if not before. If i were closer i'd have a look at it for you myself.

With regards to who is "liable", in the first instance it is the Employer's responsibility to provide a safe environment for their staff. If someone has already had a shock, you need to attend to it immediately and then argue the toss with your Landlord later.

Without seeing the problem it's pointless speculating on what may be wrong.

[jessica]

Thanks Guys........
checking lease as we speak.
and electrician in tomorrow to check our side of things.
if us then landlord responsible.
if meter side . then reputable electric company responsible.
staff all at home safe until its sorted.

[528Sport]

I guess it was a 3 phase meter fitted. Glad your staff are at home.
IF it is wired in wrongly I'd send the electric company a bill for loss of revenue as it sounds like you have had to close your office.

[hairyben]

I'd echo the others in getting an electrician to have a look, pronto. It's difficult from your post to so much as guess whats going on, but given the meters been changed & work done on the mains side my first item to check would be for earth and neutral breakages. the electricity board people aren't proper electricians and sometimes aren't very good at all, just monkeys trained to do one specific job - ie swap meters - without any deeper understanding.

BTW your landlord could be correct in the electrics being your responsibility, commercial letting differs from domestic letting.

Edited by hairyben on Thursday 29th April 15:25

[jessica]

Landlord ignoring request for a copy of lease agreement. We cannot find our copy as its in a filing cabinet in the office in pitch dark....... he also ignoring calls and emails suggesting the he knows HE is liable. We have been advised that the whole office needs re wiring. I dont think that falls in our remit. However as we are a charity, we are not able to work at present. Only limited stuff from home.

[randlemarcus]

jessica said:

Landlord ignoring request for a copy of lease agreement. We cannot find our copy as its in a filing cabinet in the office in pitch dark....... he also ignoring calls and emails suggesting the he knows HE is liable. We have been advised that the whole office needs re wiring. I dont think that falls in our remit. However as we are a charity, we are not able to work at present. Only limited stuff from home.

Off at the mains, use a torch.
Out of interest, its an office, so you make calls and type stuff. What part of that is difficult from home?

[Xerstead]

I would guess at computers and software are in the office. Along with physical filing systems, business phone number, call routing systems, company servers down so no access to network from home...
Could still grab that torch and head to the filing cabinet.

[john_p]

So reading again - you had an "industrial" meter before - presume this means three phase
Did they replace it with a "domestic" one - i.e. single phase?

You are going to have to bite the bullet and get a sparky in to test it, if the electricity company has screwed up then they will foot the bill - if it's the landlord's problem you can charge him - and if it's your problem, then the quote will probably be the least of your worries..

Find the PHer who wanted to get an apprentice job somewhere else in this forum and pay him to do it!

[D1bram]

I am an electrical engineer, but without carrying out a survey it is difficult to assess what is going on here.

I would not have thought the would (or could) have changed a 3phase meter for a single phase, as it is a completely different arrangement. A photo of the incoming meter would help.