Company News - FCR Electrical & Mechanical Ltd - Commercial Electrical Contractors - Page 6
06 Aug 2020

Sika Plastics, Preston – New Training Facility Building

Project Description: Install a new Schneider three phase distribution board in the new training facility building including the following installations :

  • Install 4 inch cable tray from mains switch room out to the new training facility
  • Install Sikla cable system over the drive way between the main building and the wall opposite for cable support
  • Install 35mm 5 core armoured cable along tray route using metal tie wraps to secure
  • Install 1 x new general lighting circuit including 6 x LED 5ft battern light fitting manufactured by Ansell c/w 5 year warranty
  • Install emergency lighting as required to include test key switch
  • Install 1 x 32 amp three phase circuit complete with 32A red commando socket, position to be confirmed on site
  • Install 3 x 16 single phase circuit complete with blue commando sockets for roller shutter doors
  • Install power to the roller shutter doors
  • Carry out full test and issue certificates and OEM manual
06 Aug 2020

Landlords EICR inspections for Christie King Estates, Blackpool

FCR Electrical Contractors have started working with Christie King Estates located on Highfield Road, Blackpool to help deliver landlords EICR inspections and remedial repairs to their clients properties to help with current legislation.

Current legislation in England and Wales states the following, link to this legislation is here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities/guide-for-landlords-electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector

  • Ensure national standards for electrical safety are met. These are set out in the 18th edition of the ‘Wiring Regulations’, which are published as British Standard 7671.
  • Ensure the electrical installations in their rented properties are inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every 5 years.
  • Obtain a report from the person conducting the inspection and test which gives the results and sets a date for the next inspection and test.
  • Supply a copy of this report to the existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection and test.
  • Supply a copy of this report to a new tenant before they occupy the premises.
  • Supply a copy of this report to any prospective tenant within 28 days of receiving a request for the report.
  • Supply the local authority with a copy of this report within 7 days of receiving a request for a copy.
  • Retain a copy of the report to give to the inspector and tester who will undertake the next inspection and test.
  • Where the report shows that remedial or further investigative work is necessary, complete this work within 28 days or any shorter period if specified as necessary in the report.
  • Supply written confirmation of the completion of the remedial works from the electrician to the tenant and the local authority within 28 days of completion of the works.

In executing this contract FCR Electrical are delivering Christie King estates an effective, reliable and compliant electrical service helping them deliver on the current above legislation. If you are a letting agent looking for a quality, reliable and compliant landlords electrical service then please feel free to email [email protected] for further details on how we can help.

“Residual-current device (RCD), circuit breakers and detectors on house blueprint.”
18 Jun 2020

Full electrical rewire of a three bedroom bungalow in Fleetwood

Full electrical rewire of a three bedroom bungalow in Fleetwood – 10 HOVE AVENUE FLEETWOOD

This was our next rewire project after completing 18A Leys Road. This bungalow had been surveyed just prior to lock down in March and the electrical installation had been flagged as needing attention. We had been contacted by our client initially to provide a full electrical inspection. Instead of paying for a full inspection, due to the age of the installation our client took advantage of our free electrical visual inspection. This is a free 30-minute visual inspection where we identify any major issues which may result in needing an electrical rewire. We deemed it sensible to rewire this property as the owner was planning on redecorating and installing a new kitchen and flooring throughout.

With this job our client had requested something a little different from our standard electrical rewire and requested down lights to be installed in the hallway and kitchen and some nice outside lights to the front and back of the property which will enhance the new rendering when this has been completed.

We completed the work including the plastering of the chases in five days which pleased our client as she had other trades waiting to come in behind us and make a start of the other work. Whilst in discussion with our client she was struggling to get a plasterer and kitchen fitter so we put her in contact with some of our team that we work with on a regular basis, this has allowed her to progress the work in her home and get closer to moving in.

Having had her property fully rewired we are in sound mind that she will have trouble free electrics for the next 10 years when her next electrical inspection is due. Having used Fylde Coast rewires for her installation she also has the added bonus of moving onto our unlimited 12 month Warranty cover giving her extra piece of mind.

Take a look at our electrical rewiring page for Fleetwood and surrounding areas.

16 Jun 2020

Full electrical rewire of a 3 bedroom detached house in Blackpool

Full electrical rewire of a 3 bedroomed detached house – 18A Leys Road Blackpool

Having spent most of the last 10 weeks providing an emergency electrical breakdown only service due to the dreaded Corona virus, Boris Johnson gave the nod to trades to go back to work. We spent over four days sourcing various hand gels, facemasks, gloves and PPE required to ensure our sites were safe to start work. PPE sourced and we were finally ready to start our first post lockdown electrical rewire.

This rewire was an extremely important project to us as the owner of the property was a dear lady who was 91 years old. Sadly during lock-down she had been taken into a nursing home, the lady really wanted to return home where she felt safe. Social services had deemed her electrical installation unsafe after having them inspected by another contractor.

Fylde Coast rewires were contracted to provide a full electrical rewire to the property in an as efficient time as possible which would also include a full electrical rewire, the lowering of the dining room ceiling, all plastering including the skimming of the new lowered ceiling and painting of the plaster chases and ceiling. To finalise the work we provided a deep clean on completion which made her property ready to move back into.

We completed this project in full within eight days from start to finish. This would have been quicker if our regular plasterer had not just had a baby and was off on maternity leave and sourcing plaster was so difficult. Who would of thought there is only one producer producing most of the UK’s plaster supplies?

On completion the installation was signed off and inspected by social services, we are pleased to announce our customer is now back home, in the comfort of her own home where she belongs.

Take a look at our electrical rewiring page for Blackpool and surrounding areas.

05 Aug 2019

What You Need to Know About Power Surges?

The last thing you want is to have all your appliances damaged by a power surge. So what is a power surge?

Many of us are unaware of what it is, how it is generated, what damages does it cause and what is a surge protector. Let’s address each question step-by-step.

What is a Power Surge?

A power surge occurs when there is a sudden boost in the voltage supplied via a power line. This surge takes place very quickly and it may often last only for a few seconds, but always keep in mind a power surge carries tens of thousands of volts which can cause serious damage and harm if not handled with caution.

What are the Causes of a Power Surge?

A common reason for power surges is a lightning storm. When it strikes an electrical line, no matter if it is in a building, running along poles or underground, this creates an electrical energy boost, creating millions of volts that are transported through the power line. During a lightning storm, the best option to safe your valuable devices from the damages caused by a power surge, is to switch off and unplug them. Apart from this, power surges result from short circuits, downed electrical lines, tripped circuit breakers, a sudden increase in electricity usage due to a factory close by or the transition of a heavy appliance on a low voltage power line.

What Harm is Caused by a Power Surge?

The increase in voltage that is transported through the power lines is enough to ruin any device, fry circuit boards and crash hard drives that are connected to your electric grid. A huge surge that comes with a lightning boost can instantly and effectively kill your tech, regardless of it being switched on during the time of a surge. However, small and common surges are equally damaging compared to big surges. They cause unseen permanent damage, reducing the life of your devices. Therefore, in order to protect yourself and your electronics, it is best to invest in a surge protector that will safeguard all your circuits in your home or office against a particular range of voltage surges.

What is a Surge Protector?

An ideal line of defence is to unplug all your devices during a power surge. However, it is a difficult task to go around the house, unplugging all devices in time. Therefore, you should consider investing in a surge protector, which redirects the surplus power generated by a surge to the ground wire. However, keep in mind that surge protectors are useless in times of a lightning storm because they too can be damaged by the increased voltage. Before buying a particular surge protector make sure you are aware of how many volts the protector can handle, otherwise you will not only damage the surge protector but your devices as well. If you want to control large power surges, you will have to consult with a licensed electrical contractor that will install a whole-house suppressor.


30 Jul 2019

Early Signs That Show Your Property Needs Rewiring

Did you recently buy a property that is need of renovations or do you suspect the electrics in your existing house have become outdated? Either way, it is about time you considered rewiring your premise. Not only are modern properties vulnerable to electrical problems caused by old and faulty wires, but old building might also need fresh wiring to make sure all electrics are safe to use. All new rewiring needs to comply with the electrical safety regulations mentioned in the Part P of the building regulations and it is a compulsory responsibility of property owners to ensure all wires are safe and secure.

If any of the following conditions are true, it is vital that you take action immediately to avoid potential injury or financial loss:

  • The property is over 25 years old.
  • You depend upon extension cords for power.
  • Damages or cracks are visible within the property.
  • You use two prong sockets.

Read on to find out more about the early signs that show your property needs rewiring.

Early Warning Signs

Before you begin to examine the wiring in your home, it is crucial to stay safe and secure. Not many of us are aware of the electrical work, which is why it is necessary to call a professional rather than rewiring your premise yourself. It is highly recommended to keep an eye on the early warning signs that showcase a need for rewiring your premise. To start off, take a look at every room and count the number of sockets in every room. If there are only one or two, this means the building most likely has old and faulty wiring, which needs to be replaced instantly.

Another sign to watch out for is when you touch a socket and it feels hot, this means there’s an overheating taking place somewhere. It is unusual to observe flashing light from a plug or feel a socket heat up or smell peculiar burning smell within your premise. What’s more, don’t forget to take a look at the fuse box in your home. You will be able to identify whether it is made of an older design, judging by its current condition. If in case the fuse box is updated, this is not an indication that the entire property has been rewired.

Take a closer look at the fuses in the box, if they are the re-wirable kind, then it is most like you have an old domestic wiring system that needs immediate attention. A good indication for rewiring is by checking the general condition of the plug sockets and the light switches. If there are any damages such as expired fittings, loose boxes or live wires, you will need to take action today. It is highly recommended to carry out a detailed Electrical Installation Condition Report, which will highlight the necessary damages caused to the wiring hidden behind the walls.

Never take electrical work lightly. It is always best to contact a professional electrical contractor like ourselves when it comes to rewiring your premise.

06 Jul 2019

Landlord Rewire & Inspection: 204 Promenade, Blackpool

This project initially started with a full electrical inspection to the landlord areas. It quickly became evident that the wiring was the original install from the early 1950’s. Fylde Coast rewires were contracted to provide the full rewiring to all of the landlord areas including two basement carparks, nine floors, one electrical mains room and a plant room located up on the tenth floor. We were able to carry out this project with zero loss of the existing electricity supplies to the residents which was a major factor as there are a number of elderly residents.

01 Jul 2019

Top 10 Energy Saving Tips That Will Amaze You

The primary step that many homeowners consider when reducing energy costs is to switch energy suppliers or turn down the thermostat. However, with the increase in the prices of energy stated by leading energy companies such as npower, SSE, British Gas and Scottish Power, switching energy suppliers might not be cost-effective after all. Take a look at these top 10 energy saving tips that are not well-known but highly effective when it comes to saving big on gas and electricity.

Purchase a Halogen Oven

Did you know that a halogen oven can roast a chicken in just 30 minutes and uses only 75% less than a traditional electric oven? Combine this minimized usage of energy with the fast cooking time, you will experience a huge reduction in your bills.

Close Your Chimney

It is estimated that about 80-90% of heat generated from burning wood in the fireplace is mostly lost through open chimneys. Therefore, an unblocked chimney can mean hundreds of pounds being flushed up the chimney every year.You can either cap it or block the cavity with an inflatable chimney balloon, if you use it occasionally.

Set up a Voltage optimisation Device

The variation between the voltage supplied to your home and the amount consumed by your appliances shows that a typical appliance uses 4% more current and 9% more energy than required. According to Evo Energy, installing a voltage optimisation device will save up to approximately 10% on your bills. This device will need to be installed by a professional electrical contractor. Keep in mind that it won’t work on immersion heaters, showers, ovens, hobs but it will function effectively for appliances such as tumble driers, dishwashers, televisions, washing machines and lights.

Install a High-Power Shower

Rather than filling a bath with water, install high-power showers, which use the similar amount of water in only five minutes. Were you aware that faucet aerators and energy-efficient shower heads reduce the amount of water transported from shower heads and taps by 50%, allowing you to enjoy a refreshing shower at the same time.

Insulation for Cavity Walls

Is your home uninsulated? Did you know that you can lose up to 35% of heat through walls if your home isn’t insulated. For example, if you own a standard three-bedroom semi with cavity walls and consider insulating your home, you can save big on heating bills – almost up to £140 each year. Several energy suppliers provide grants that pay for insulation.

Draught-proofing

This is considered as one of the most efficient and cost effective ways to reduce energy costs, but unfortunately, it is commonly overlooked. According to the Energy Saving Trust, you can save as much as £55 every year by simply sealing your windows, loft hatches, pipework and doors.

Fixing Solar Panels

Even though government subsidies tend to fall for solar panels, but so are the costs of installation as well. Solar panel installers are coming up with ways to make installations cost effective and a fruitful consideration since it can save up to each year on energy bills.

Insulation for Lofts

Getting your loft insulated can save about a quarter of heat, which is generally lost through uninsulated roofs. The suggested level of insulation is generally 270mm.

LED Lights

Replacing traditional incandescent lights with LED lights can help you save big on electricity bills. LED lights are becoming popular amongst many property owners since 40% of the total load is used up by lighting fixtures.

Other Essential Everyday Energy Saving Tips

Apart from the above tips, you can also save energy by performing certain everyday tasks such as reducing the heating by 1C, switching lights off when you are in a particular room and boiling water only when you need it. Sometimes, it is the small things that create a big impact on your electricity bill.