UK’s electrical safety body NICEIC to open in Dubai
National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) to work with authorities across the GCC to minimise fire incidents
The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC), an independent body responsible for the safety of electrical installations across the UK, is establishing a regional base in Dubai.
The 60-year old organisation mandates independent third party inspections, strict accountability, and issues fines for non-compliance or breach of standards.
A Dubai Statistics Centre study revealed that 22% of fires between 2011 and 2013 were caused by electrical faults. In Oman, one third of all fires in 2015 could be traced back to electrical malfunctions, while Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense estimates 70% of all fires in the Kingdom are due to electrical faults. In Qatar, the Doha Villagio Mall tragedy was also caused by an electrical fault.
“A large number of fires in the region can be traced back to electrical faults, which puts thousands of lives at risk every day. Along with development corporations, major international design and construction firms have created highly sophisticated buildings, which have transformed cities throughout the GCC. It is of paramount importance that these buildings are maintained professionally, to ensure that they continue to provide safe and efficient offices and homes, that are fit for purpose, and do not pose a risk to residents or occupants,” commented Eddie Arrowsmith, regional engineering manager of NICEIC’s Middle East operations.
The NICEIC says it has established a reputation for promoting integrity, safety, and technical excellence within the electrical industry. The organisation plans to bring the same standards to the GCC, and plans to provide training, technical advice, certification, and information on all the latest industry developments.
The firm aims to put each contractor through an assessment process, which will cover a sample of their work, premises, documentation, equipment, and the competence of key supervisory staff. Re-assessment will take place on a regular basis to ensure continued compliance.
In 2015, the NICEIC carried out its first work in the region, when it was asked to provide third party accreditation for an employer keen on demonstrating the competency of its electrical workers.
