Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what precautions are in place to prevent voltage surges entering the electrical system serving the Palace of Westminster.

Within the Palace of Westminster there is surge protection by way of Surge Protection Devices on low voltage switchgear. This means that any surges from incoming high voltage supplies are suppressed. The Palace’s main low voltage switchgear was replaced in 2015 and has such surge suppressors installed.

Low Voltage Boards are a key part of the electrical infrastructure within the Palace of Westminster, providing localised power across the building. There have been two new local unit boards fitted in Elizabeth Tower and these have surge protection fitted, as stipulated by the Design Authority for new boards. Both boards tripped (as per design) when the tower was struck by lightning, showing the surge protection was successful. Surveys were undertaken of existing boards under the Mechanical, Electrical Public Health & Fabric Safety (MEPFS) programme and those ranked as high risk had faulty components replaced, thus reducing the risk of significant power outages across the Palace. Surge protection of these boards will be installed under the new Mechanical, Electrical, Public Health and Fire Safety (MEPF) programme which will be completed prior to the commencement of Restoration and Renewal.