Introduction
When it comes to commercial electrical safety, few risks are more serious than water and electricity mixing. For pubs, restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality venues, the combination of leaking roofs, old electrical systems, and outdated inspections can quickly turn into a dangerous electrical emergency and a costly problem.
This case study looks at a recent emergency call out to a busy pub in Exeate, Devon, where repeated roof leaks had compromised the main fuse boards. With staff experiencing shocks, lights sparking, and distribution boards exposed to water ingress, the situation required urgent attention.
At Heritage Emergency Electrician, we specialise in emergency electrical work and long-term safety solutions for commercial and industrial clients. This project highlights why thorough inspections, proper equipment, and proactive maintenance are essential for keeping businesses safe and compliant.
Services Provided
- Emergency electrical call out
- Fuse board and RCD inspection
- Immediate fault finding and power restoration
- Risk assessment of three-phase load distribution
- Condition report review and compliance recommendations
Learn more about our Commercial & Industrial Electrical Installation services.
Project Overview
The pub had a long history of roof leaks in a valley gutter directly above the electrical intake and fuse boards. Despite multiple patchwork roof repairs, water continued to find its way into the building.
On this occasion, a heavy leak caused water to drip into the distribution boards and light fittings, leading to sparking, smoke, and one staff member receiving an electric shock.
The site manager admitted that this wasn’t a one-off. Whenever leaks occurred, the routine was simply to “turn the electrics back on.” This meant that electrical safety had been repeatedly compromised, with 400-volt three-phase equipment exposed to water.
The immediate task was to make the system safe, restore power where possible, and identify underlying hazards that needed long-term solutions.
Challenges
This emergency revealed a catalogue of serious safety concerns:
1. Roof Leaks Above Electrical Systems
The biggest danger came from water seeping through the roof valley directly above the main consumer units. Every heavy downpour created the potential for water ingress into live equipment.
2. Unsafe Consumer Units
The fuse boards were old plastic enclosures, made from combustible materials, with missing screws and poor cable entry sealing. These are no longer acceptable for commercial safety standards.
3. Outdated & Inadequate Inspections
The latest inspection record dated back to 2021, with only 20% of the building tested each year. Some stickers indicated “visual only” checks, which are not legally compliant for commercial properties.
If you’re unsure about your own records, see our Condition Report & EICR Service.
4. Overloaded & Unbalanced Circuits
The building operated on a three-phase supply, but circuits were heavily weighted onto L1, including kitchen sockets, showers, and high-load appliances. Other phases were under-utilised, creating a dangerous imbalance.
5. Lack of RCD Protection
Several circuits (including outdoor and high-load supplies) had no RCD protection, increasing the risk of electric shock and fire.
Our Solution
Emergency Response
- We immediately inspected the flooded boards, allowing circuits to dry where necessary.
- RCDs were tested to confirm safe operation and correct trip times.
- Light fittings were checked for water pooling, ensuring lamp holders weren’t compromised.
- Essential circuits, including bar lighting and power, were safely restored.
Fast response is critical in these situations. Learn more about our Electrical Emergency services.
Safety Assessment
Beyond the immediate call out, we carried out a wider inspection of the installation and identified:
- Combustible plastic consumer units where fire-resistant metal enclosures are now required.
- Incorrectly applied fire-stopping, sealing cables into non-fireproof boards.
- Multiple inspection stickers from different contractors with conflicting dates, some claiming compliance where no proper testing had been done.
- Lack of spare capacity in distribution boards, leaving no room for safe expansion.
Recommendations
We provided the client with a clear plan for achieving compliance and long-term safety:
- Roof repair – to permanently stop water ingress before any further electrical works.
- Full EICR – 100% inspection of the entire building, not partial or visual checks.
- Consumer unit upgrades – replacing old plastic boards with modern metal fire-resistant units.
- Load balancing – redistributing circuits evenly across three phases to prevent overheating.
- RCD installation – ensuring all high-load and outdoor circuits have adequate shock protection.
Results
After our intervention:
- Power was safely restored, allowing the pub to remain open and trading.
- RCD protection on affected circuits was verified.
- Water damage was addressed immediately, preventing further electrical failures.
- Management now has a clear, professional report highlighting the urgent steps required to bring the building up to commercial electrical safety standards.
Highlighted Features
- Rapid emergency response to a live electrical hazard caused by flooding.
- Three-phase load review, exposing overloaded and unsafe distribution.
- Non-compliance identified — visual EICRs debunked, with legal testing requirements clarified.
- Fire risk reduction — recommendations to replace combustible consumer units with fireproof enclosures.
- Roadmap for compliance — giving the client confidence moving forward.
Why Commercial Electrical Safety Matters
For businesses like pubs, hotels, and restaurants, electrical safety isn’t optional. It’s a legal requirement. Without proper testing and maintenance, you’re not only risking the safety of staff and customers, but also invalidating insurance policies and exposing your business to legal consequences.
This case study is a perfect example of why relying on “quick fixes”, like patching a roof or performing a visual inspection, is not enough. Only a full condition report (EICR) and proper upgrades can guarantee compliance.
At Heritage Emergency Electrician, we specialise in both emergency response and long-term safety solutions. From urgent call outs to complete system overhauls, our focus is on keeping your business safe, compliant, and operational.
Conclusion & Call to Action
If your business has outdated fuse boards, expired inspection records, or ongoing electrical issues, don’t wait for an emergency to expose the risks.
We work across Devon and the South West, providing expert support to pubs, restaurants, hotels, offices, and industrial sites. Whether you need a rapid response from an Emergency Electrician in Devon, or a planned inspection to meet compliance requirements, we’re here to help.
Book a Condition Report & EICR inspection.
Learn more about our Commercial & Industrial Electrical Installation services.
Call us for immediate Electrical Emergency support.
Don’t leave commercial electrical safety to chance. Get in touch today and make sure your building is safe, compliant, and ready for the future.
