Electrical Safety
Electrical Safety
Electrical Safety at Funday Entertainment Ltd
At Funday Entertainment Ltd, electrical safety is an essential part of every event we supply. From arcade games and simulators to inflatables, catering equipment, lighting and other electrically powered entertainment equipment, we take steps to ensure that electrical equipment is suitable, maintained and safe to use.
Our electrical safety procedures are designed to protect our customers, our staff, venue personnel and members of the public.
We understand that many of the events we attend take place in schools, workplaces, public venues, hotels, community centres, outdoor locations and large event spaces. Electrical equipment may therefore be used by a wide range of people and in a variety of environments. Our approach is to identify electrical hazards before they become a problem and to control those risks throughout the event.
Our Commitment to Electrical Safety
Funday operates a programme of inspection, maintenance and electrical safety testing covering the equipment we provide.
Where appropriate, electrical equipment is:
- Visually inspected before use.
- Checked for signs of damage, deterioration or wear.
- Electrically tested at appropriate intervals.
- PAT tested where required.
- Checked for damaged plugs, cables, connectors and sockets.
- Checked for exposed wires or damaged insulation.
- Checked for signs of overheating, burning or electrical arcing.
- Removed from service immediately if a safety defect is identified.
- Maintained and repaired by competent persons where necessary.
Electrical safety is not simply a once-a-year test. Equipment is also subject to ongoing visual inspection and operational checks.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
Funday maintains electrical safety records for applicable portable electrical equipment.
Portable Appliance Testing can include appropriate electrical safety checks and testing of equipment such as:
- Extension leads and cable reels
- Electrical distribution equipment
- Fans and blowers
- Arcade and electronic games
- Simulators
- Audio and entertainment equipment
- Catering equipment
- Lighting equipment
- Electrical tools and accessories
- Other portable electrical equipment used as part of an event
The frequency and nature of testing is determined by the type of equipment, how it is used, the environment in which it is operated and the level of risk.
A PAT label or test record is only one part of an effective electrical safety system. Equipment must also be visually inspected and operated correctly.
Pre-Event Electrical Checks
Before equipment leaves our premises, appropriate checks are carried out to identify obvious faults or damage.
When equipment arrives at an event, our staff also consider the condition of:
- Power cables
- Plugs and connectors
- Extension leads
- Distribution equipment
- Electrical accessories
- Equipment housings
- Switches and controls
- Fans and motors
- Connections between electrical equipment
Any equipment presenting an electrical safety concern will not be placed into service until the issue has been investigated and the equipment has been confirmed as safe.
Electrical Supply Requirements
Different items of equipment have different electrical requirements.
Where electrical equipment is supplied as part of a hire, Funday will advise the hirer of any specific power requirements that need to be available at the venue.
Customers should ensure that the electrical supply provided for the event is:
- Suitable for the equipment being operated.
- Adequately protected.
- Accessible to authorised personnel.
- Located so that cables can be routed safely.
- Not overloaded by connecting excessive equipment.
- Protected from damage, water and unauthorised interference.
Where an event requires significant electrical demand, additional electrical distribution or power supplies may be required.
The venue or event organiser should inform Funday before the event if there are any restrictions or special requirements relating to the site's electrical installation.
Extension Leads and Cable Management
Electrical cables can create significant trip hazards if they are not properly managed.
Our staff take reasonable steps to ensure that cables are:
- Routed away from pedestrian walkways wherever possible.
- Positioned to minimise trip hazards.
- Protected where they must cross pedestrian routes.
- Kept away from water and other sources of moisture.
- Protected from crushing or mechanical damage.
- Kept away from heat sources.
- Checked regularly during operation.
Where cable ramps or other suitable protection are required, these may be used depending on the venue and event layout.
Electrical cables must never be deliberately damaged, cut, modified or repaired by the hirer.
Outdoor Events
Additional precautions are required when electrical equipment is used outdoors.
Electrical equipment must be suitable for the environment in which it is being used and must be protected from adverse weather conditions where necessary.
Particular attention is given to:
- Rain and standing water.
- Wet ground conditions.
- Water activities.
- Cables running across grass or pedestrian areas.
- Unauthorised access to electrical equipment.
- Temporary power supplies.
- Generator supplies.
- Weather conditions that could affect safe operation.
Electrical equipment must not be used where conditions create an unacceptable electrical safety risk.
Funday staff may stop or prevent the use of electrically powered equipment where they believe conditions are unsafe.
Water and Electricity
Electricity and water present a potentially serious hazard.
Electrical equipment must be kept away from water wherever possible and suitable precautions must be taken where electrical equipment is required as part of a water-based activity.
Electrical connections, plugs, extension leads and distribution equipment must not be placed where they could become submerged or exposed to unnecessary water.
If water reaches electrical equipment or electrical connections, the equipment must be isolated and assessed before being returned to service.
Generators and Temporary Power
Where generators or temporary electrical supplies are used, appropriate precautions must be taken.
Generators should be:
- Suitable for the required electrical load.
- Positioned in a safe and suitably ventilated location.
- Protected from unauthorised access.
- Kept away from water.
- Operated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
- Located so that exhaust fumes cannot enter occupied buildings or enclosed areas.
Generators and electrical equipment must be switched off before refuelling.
Where temporary electrical distribution is required for a larger event, the installation should be designed and managed by a suitably competent person.
RCD Protection
Residual Current Devices (RCDs) can provide additional protection against electric shock by disconnecting a circuit when an imbalance in electrical current is detected.
Where appropriate, suitable RCD protection may be incorporated into the electrical supply arrangement.
RCD protection does not replace good electrical safety practices. Cables, plugs, equipment and electrical supplies must still be properly inspected and maintained.
What Happens If We Find a Fault?
If an electrical fault or suspected defect is identified, the equipment will be taken out of service.
Depending on the nature of the fault, the equipment may be:
- Isolated from the electrical supply.
- Clearly identified as defective.
- Removed from the event if necessary.
- Inspected by a competent person.
- Repaired or replaced where appropriate.
- Tested before being returned to service.
We do not believe that a piece of equipment should remain in use simply because a fault appears minor.
If there is any doubt about the electrical safety of equipment, it should not be used.
Responsibilities of the Hirer and Venue
Electrical safety is a shared responsibility.
The hirer and venue should:
- Provide suitable electrical supplies where required.
- Ensure sockets and electrical installations are accessible and suitable.
- Prevent unauthorised interference with electrical equipment.
- Inform Funday of any known electrical restrictions or hazards.
- Ensure that venue staff do not modify Funday's electrical equipment.
- Keep liquids away from electrical equipment unless the equipment is specifically designed for that environment.
- Report any damaged cable, plug, equipment or electrical connection immediately.
Customers must not attempt to repair, modify or interfere with Funday electrical equipment.
Electrical Equipment During Events
During an event, electrical equipment may be subject to repeated use by members of the public.
Funday staff therefore remain alert to:
- Damaged cables.
- Loose connections.
- Equipment overheating.
- Unusual smells.
- Sparks or electrical arcing.
- Intermittent operation.
- Unusual noises.
- Damage caused by members of the public.
- Cables being moved or tampered with.
- Water or liquid coming into contact with equipment.
Any concern should be reported immediately to the supervising Funday member of staff.
Staff Competence
Funday recognises that electrical safety depends not only on testing but also on the competence of the people installing and operating equipment.
Staff are expected to understand:
- The safe operation of the equipment they are responsible for.
- Basic electrical safety precautions.
- Cable management.
- Identification of obvious electrical defects.
- The importance of isolating defective equipment.
- Emergency procedures.
- The requirements of the manufacturer's instructions.
Where specialist electrical work is required, this should be undertaken by an appropriately competent person.
Electrical Safety Documentation
Funday maintains safety documentation relevant to the equipment and services we provide.
Depending on the equipment and event, documentation may include:
- PAT testing records.
- Equipment inspection records.
- Risk assessments.
- Method statements.
- Manufacturer's operating instructions.
- Electrical safety information.
- Equipment certification.
- Public liability insurance documentation.
- Relevant inspection and compliance certificates.
Our safety documentation is made available to customers and event organisers where appropriate.
Your Safety Matters
We want our customers to enjoy their event without having to worry about the technical safety of the equipment being supplied.
Our electrical safety procedures form part of our wider health and safety management system and work alongside our equipment inspections, risk assessments, method statements and operational procedures.
Funday already makes a range of health and safety documentation available to customers, including risk assessments, equipment safety certificates and PAT testing documentation.
If you are organising an event and require electrical safety information, certificates or supporting documentation for your venue or health and safety team, please contact us before the event and we will be happy to assist.
Need Electrical Safety Documentation?
If your venue, school, council, corporate health and safety department or event organiser requires supporting documentation for equipment supplied by Funday, please contact our team.
Funday Entertainment Ltd
Telephone: 0870 011 3993
London: 0203 434 4457
Email: office@fundayltd.com
We are committed to providing entertainment that is not only enjoyable, but supplied and operated with safety at the forefront of our service.
If you require a longer power cable than 10 mtrs please contact us prior to your event so we can arrange this for you.