Had a search here (https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/thatch-roof-spaces.430821/ was close, but an aged thread).
Just looking for ideas here if you don't mind.
We have a thatched cottage we let out, hence a repeat need for Landlord safety cert. Owned for 22 years.
Had a very thorough (recommended) electrician check recently: he wasn't happy with the wiring (T&E) in the attic to the ceiling lights, and we understand his concern: it is impossible to prevent mice from spending some time up their, despite our efforts with *cough* poison....
Upstairs has 2 bedrooms and a bathroom: the bedrooms have a centre light and 2 wall lights wired through the attic, the bathroom a pullcord light and fan.
His big meter suggested an issue (I think resistance wasn't great - 2.6 where anything below 1.0 is a 'fail'....although I confess to not fully understanding: most circuits were reading over 50....), but after speaking with his board (I think NICEIC?), they told him a pass is a pass.
He signed off a 1 year cert, and we hope to see him later in the year to figure out the best way to make things safe.
Of course it is moderately possible they have always given a low reading: our last safety certificate was 10 years before, and wasn't nearly as thorough, IIRC!
Our fella spoke about getting SWA up to the attic and just having it feed power to sealed lights in the rooms below, with wireless switches in the rooms to light them up.
Any recommendations of brands of such switches, or examples where that has been done?
Or indeed, other ideas that any thorough electrician would be happy with?
We are keen to be proactive in looking into solutions, so we can add some value when we speak with him next time we are down.
Ideally not too expensive (or at least, the most cost effective solution would be preferred!) - we already removed the woodburner to massively reduce fire risk, after reading that thatches are no more likely to burn than other houses, but something like 97% of their fires were caused by woodburners, but if we have to spend to make it a simple "pass" in future safety checks, we will.
Thanks for taking time to read & any ideas!
Just looking for ideas here if you don't mind.
We have a thatched cottage we let out, hence a repeat need for Landlord safety cert. Owned for 22 years.
Had a very thorough (recommended) electrician check recently: he wasn't happy with the wiring (T&E) in the attic to the ceiling lights, and we understand his concern: it is impossible to prevent mice from spending some time up their, despite our efforts with *cough* poison....
Upstairs has 2 bedrooms and a bathroom: the bedrooms have a centre light and 2 wall lights wired through the attic, the bathroom a pullcord light and fan.
His big meter suggested an issue (I think resistance wasn't great - 2.6 where anything below 1.0 is a 'fail'....although I confess to not fully understanding: most circuits were reading over 50....), but after speaking with his board (I think NICEIC?), they told him a pass is a pass.
He signed off a 1 year cert, and we hope to see him later in the year to figure out the best way to make things safe.
Of course it is moderately possible they have always given a low reading: our last safety certificate was 10 years before, and wasn't nearly as thorough, IIRC!
Our fella spoke about getting SWA up to the attic and just having it feed power to sealed lights in the rooms below, with wireless switches in the rooms to light them up.
Any recommendations of brands of such switches, or examples where that has been done?
Or indeed, other ideas that any thorough electrician would be happy with?
We are keen to be proactive in looking into solutions, so we can add some value when we speak with him next time we are down.
Ideally not too expensive (or at least, the most cost effective solution would be preferred!) - we already removed the woodburner to massively reduce fire risk, after reading that thatches are no more likely to burn than other houses, but something like 97% of their fires were caused by woodburners, but if we have to spend to make it a simple "pass" in future safety checks, we will.
Thanks for taking time to read & any ideas!
