NICEIC ENDORSES SAFETY WHEN CREATING THE MOVIE MAGIC AMID RISE IN HOME CINEMAS

With home cinemas becoming the latest DIY trend amid ongoing coronavirus restrictions, the NICEIC is advising homeowners to ensure that all equipment is fitted correctly and safely by a professional to avoid any disappointing and potentially dangerous movie nights.

Inspired by a raft of celebrity Instagram posts during almost six-months of national lockdown, this summer saw an increasing number of Britons scrambling to create their own home cinemas. According to Pinterest, home cinemas are one of the biggest interiors’ trends of 2020, with searches up 368% compared to last year1.

More so, with local restrictions likely to spur a hankering for cosy movie nights at home during the autumn months, the NICEIC has stated that creating a home cinema – complete with various high-end audio visual equipment – must be managed carefully in terms of electrical safety.

Paul Collins, NICEIC’s Technical Services Manager, said: “As movie theatres closed during the coronavirus lockdown and with many blockbuster films now being released through home-streaming services, it’s no surprise that increasingly homeowners are looking to recreate the cinema magic at home by building their own home cinemas.

“However, it’s important to remember that this may entail complex and high-end audio-visual equipment, from projectors, screens, sound systems to new smart lighting systems. While it may be tempting for homeowners to try to install it themselves – this could lead not just to safety implications but could mean it’s not fitted to the full specification, and will fail to operate correctly – leaving any home cinema goers unable to enjoy those intended movie nights.”

According to the NICEIC, homeowners looking to create a home cinema should first call on a registered electrical contractor who can ensure that all equipment is fit for the intended environment. This is especially true when building an outdoor home cinema in the garden, as equipment may need to be waterproof and rated for protection against other elements including UV.

Paul adds: “With the popularity of home cinemas likely to continue into the winter months, instead of attempting to ‘have a go’ at installing what can be complex electrical and smart-enabled systems, we’d strongly recommend that home owners use a registered electrical contractor such as those registered with the NICEIC, in order to ensure the job is done correctly and safely.”

NICEIC’s top tips for safely creating the ultimate home cinema include:

Before set up, get confirmation that existing electrical installations are in good condition for continued use and have the ‘spare capacity’ for any additions

Make sure all audio–visual and lighting equipment is suitable for the intended environment. Remember outdoor home cinemas may require equipment with a wider temperature range, waterproofing and protection against outdoor elements 

• New socket-outlets and light fittings require additional protection from a Residual Current Device (RCD), which can be installed by a registered electrical contractor
• New circuits for the installation will need to be notified to the local building control department, for compliance with statutory building regulations in England & Wales
• Consult with your NICEIC or ELECSA registered electrical contractor before any work is carried out to ensure that you get the best and most appropriate advice.

For more information or to search for a registered electrical contractor in your area, visit www.niceic.com