BS6396 relates to Electrical systems in office furniture and educational furniture. If a PDU is to be used in this way then it should comply with this standard. Employers have a duty of care as defined in the Electricity at work Regulation and the Health and Safety at Work act. A way of demonstrating compliance to these statutory requirements is to use products compliant to the relevant British Standard. The standard says that any electrical system being fed from one 13 Amp UK plug must not consist of more than six individually fused sockets rated at no greater than 3.15 amps each or four individually fused sockets rated no greater than at 5 amps each. Equipment rated higher than 5 amps or products encompassing a greater number of socket outlets should not be used. Additionally, products should be provided with an earthing terminal and the whole construction should be made from durable materials. The standard also requires that any exposed supply leads should not be greater than two metres in length to minimise trip hazards.
Obviously the intention is to discourage the use of trailing (extension) sockets and multiple adaptors which have limited overload protection or offer any personal safety. The Health & Safety Executive and insurance companies, who wish to minimise accidents and claims, would expect to see British Standard compliant products used. Penalties can be applied from the HSE and claims not accepted from the insurers if non- compliant products are found to have been used in the event of any accidents or damage.
