Illegal operators must be removed in order to reduce the risk of electrical fires - NECAF

The National Electrical Contractors Association of Fiji’s Master Electricians are concerned with the increasing number of electrical fires caused by improper, non-conforming, non-compliant, sub-standard and defective electrical wiring and installation particularly for residential homes.

The association says it wants a control on illegal operators and this includes banning all advertisements from these operators on social media.

It says these advertisements mislead consumers thus posing high level fire hazards and risks to consumers.

The concern comes amid increasing number of fires linked to electrical faults.

The association is also calling on homeowners and businesses to ensure that only licensed electrical contractors attend to their properties to prevent electrical fires since licensed electrical contractors are well versed with current standards and have insurance policies in place.

It says there are a number of illegal operators without a valid EFL contracting license yet misleading consumers with false advertising on social media.

Listings on licensed electrical contractors are available on EFL’s website.

The association says it is well aware of several cases where unlicensed electricians who do wiring in homes but unethically obtain signatures from a licensed electrical contractor while paying them for their favour.

As per the Electricity Regulations, a licensed electrician is not permitted to undertake or carry out electrical wiring work except as the employee of a licensed electrical contractor but this does not apply where a licensed electrician undertakes or carries out electrical wiring work on their own premises, they are the holder of electrical contractor’s license, a person or body not trading as a licensed electrical contractor is employing a licensed electrician for the purpose of making or maintaining the installations necessary for the conduct of the business of such a person or body, such licensed electrician may carry out the duties of that employment.

Any person who contravenes this regulation commits an offence and is liable to pay penalty fine up to $5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both.

The association is disappointed that the Electricity Act is not adhered to and nothing is done about such practices which puts consumers at risk.

It also believes that they should work in collaboration with EFL, FCCC, NFA and Consumer Council of Fiji to crack down on illegal operators.