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What is an electrical installation?
An electrical installation is the wiring system of a building from the mains position to items of electrical equipment, sockets, light fittings and everything in between and is the system in which all the electrical equipment is, or may be, electrically connected to a common source of electrical energy. Testing of electrical installations is also referred to as BS7671, periodic inspection, landlord testing, Electricity at Work, fixed appliance testing, fixed equipment, fixed machine, hard wiring, electrical wiring, fixed wiring testing, mains, circuit or insurance testing.
Electrical Installation Testing
See Legal Requirements for recommended intervals between periodic inspection and testing. All aspects of the electrical installation are inspected and tested for strength, integrity and compliance with the IEE Regulations.
Not only will any faults or defects found be recorded, but where possible suggestions for cost effective solutions will be included. Having completed testing, the results are presented in a high quality report which includes the following documentation: -
Test Results
» Periodic inspection certificate
» Detailed circuit assessment sheets
» Survey report (general site faults)
» Survey report (specific faults, locations & suggested solutions relating to distribution boards and circuits)
» Laminated "self-adhesive" circuit assessment sheets (if required)
» CAD electrical distribution drawings (if required)
» Dangerous conditions report forms (handed to a site representative at time of test)
» Dangerous conditions report forms (included with report)
Test Data
Rest assured that our attention to detail will be your guarantee of a worthwhile survey that will enable you to bring about compliance with "The Electricity at Work Regulations".
Test results are entered directly onto laptop computers on site by our engineers.
Software has been tailored specifically to the task of accurately and efficiently capturing, status checking and organising data and survey results in order to provide extremely accurate, clear and concise printed final data and Certification.
Legal Requirements
The law requires that all business owners, their directors, managers and employees comply with "The Electricity at Work Regulations".
The law simply requires that all electrical systems must be maintained to be safe at all times.
No system or part of it may give rise to danger during either normal operation or under fault conditions.
Regulation 4(2)
"All systems to be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, danger". "System" means the wiring of an electrical installation and everything connected to it.
Regulation (29) states:
"It shall be a defence for any person to prove that he took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of that offence"
Test reports, together with other preventative maintenance documentation will form the basis of this proof and will provide your best defence against prosecution should the need arise.
Duty holders are responsible for setting up adequate maintenance programmes and must assess the needs and frequency requirement of testing, maintaining and monitoring electrical systems and equipment. Generally, the following test intervals may be applied for guidance purposes: -
Electrical Installations (As outlined in 16th Edition I.E.E. regulations)
| Type Of Installation |
Period Between Inspections |
| Domestic |
10 Years |
| Commercial |
5 Years |
| Industrial |
3 Years |
| Churches (over 5 years) |
1 Year |
| Public entertainment places |
1 Year |
| Petroleum stations |
1 Year |
| Emergency lights/Fire alarms |
1 Year |
Portable Appliances
| Enviroment |
Frequency |
| Industrial / Workshops |
6 Months |
| Commercial (class I-normal) |
12 Months |
| Commercial (class II-low risk) |
2 Years or more |
Please dont hesitate to contact us regarding any of the above information. Fill out the enquiry form on the right to e-mails us your query.
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Know you requirements
Emergency lighting is required in all premises where people are employed. It is a Life Safety System and is required to assist the occupants in the event of an emergency. It will assist in the evacuation of a premises in the event of power failure.
It is a mandatory requirement to be installed where artificial lighting is installed.
Remember, Emergency Lighting is designed to help save lives.
Legal Responsibilities
All Employers, Landlords or Occupiers have a duty under the “Fire Precaution (Workplace) Regulations 1999” to carry out a risk assessment to ensure their premises and activities are able to facilitate safe escape in the event of an emergency.
Complying with the Fire Precaution (Workplace) Regulations 1997
The Emergency Lighting British Standard BS5266 defines the requirements for the correct installation of Emergency Lighting. Compliance with this standard will ensure that your premises, meets the requirements of the Fire Precaution (Workplace) Regulations.
Continued Compliance with BS5266
As you can see above, compliance with the Emergency Lighting Regulations BS5266 will ensure you meet your statutory requirements, but only if the system is fully functioning.
BS5266 part-1 further sets out the requirements for continued user checks and routine inspection & tests.
BS5266 requires inspection & tests should be carried out at the following intervals (Frequencies);
» Daily
» Monthly
» Six-Monthly
» Three Yearly
» Subsequent Annual Test
All check frequencies have specific requirements. Checks should be recorded where necessary in the Emergency Lighting Log Book.
Do Regulations Change?
Regulations have undergone a number of changes since their introduction, keeping up to date with regulations is important and failure to do so may mean that your installation does not comply.
How can Electrical Testing & Data Services help you comply with your legal requirements?
As an Emergency lighting testing Specialist, Electrical Testing & Data Services have considerable expertise in the Periodic Inspection and Test of Emergency Lighting.
After careful evaluation of your premises, its uses and its occupancy, we will carry out a Formal Inspection & test that fully complies with the requirements as set out in BS5266-1:1999.
All inspections will check that Emergency lighting is installed in required locations as well as testing the functionality of existing lighting.
Periodic Inspection Report & Emergency Lighting Log Book
Following a Periodic Inspection of your Emergency Lighting Installation, Electrical Testing & Data Services will provide a Certificate that will detail the specific nature of the inspection along with any departures from BS5266 that may exist. All certificates supplied by Electrical Testing & Data Services will clearly display our accreditation with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contractors (NICEIC) along with our enrolment number.
BS5266 requires an up to date log book to be kept that details the type of Emergency lighting Installed along with all events and checks to be logged. Where no log book is present, Electrical Testing & Data Services can supply a comprehensive log book that fully details the type of emergency lighting system installed, responsible persons, contractors and even Manufacturers should spare parts be sought. All further inspections will then be recorded within the “Events” section of the book.
Disclaimer: All information detailed above is for reference purposes only, any or all details may have changed, please refer to current Regulations & Guidelines.
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Portable Appliance Testing (PAT Testing)
The commonly accepted definition of a portable appliance is 'any item that connects to the electricity supply, directly or indirectly, by means of a removable plug'.
We offer two Service Levels - Regular and Premier. Both provide benefits in excess of other 'off-the-shelf' testing systems. The suitability of a particular service level will be determined by each customer's unique requirements.
The Regular Service Level
This is more advanced than most other testing systems. Its benefits include:
» Handheld computer technology that captures all data at source.
» Faster and more accurate reporting
» Detailed reports that are available immediately data is uploaded.
» Tests that can be performed quickly and in a cost-competitive manner.
» The ease with which an in-house technician can exercise a customer's 'due diligence' responsibility for ensuring the test programme is being performed properly.
The Premier Service Level
This is a high-integrity system where the test instruments are fully controlled by, and communicate directly with, a handheld computer. While retaining all the benefits of the Regular Service, the Premier Service offers in addition:
» The electronic transfer of test data from the appliance test instrument, so avoiding transcription errors.
» Barcoded entry of test parameters from a test card dedicated to test-sensitive and calibrated equipment.
» The ability for multi-site companies to rely on set protocols, so exercising their 'due diligence' responsibility to ensure comprehensive testing in the absence of an in-house technician.
» The recording of additional data fields are recorded which can form part of an asset register if required.
» A 'location-driven' service enabling the movement of appliances within or between sites to be tracked easily.
Company Test Policies
The detail of an appropriate Test Policy will be agreed with the customer prior to the commencement of a test programme. Consistent with the Code of Practice recommendations, we place emphasis on visual inspection as opposed to full testing.
Added Value - Socket Testing
If requested to do so, we can check a customer's socket outlets, particularly their earthing integrity, whilst testing the appliances. Performing these two tasks concurrently is worthwhile and cost-effective.
Labelling
A barcode, unique within the UK, is given to each appliance tested. Where large numbers of labels are required, we can produce them to show a customer's name and details. 'Pass' labels are applied to all appliances attaining a 'pass' condition.
Our Technology
All portable appliance testing procedures are controlled by handheld computer programmes operating on Psion hardware.
Our Costing Policy
Costs are quoted per appliance and are mainly dependent upon the Service Level required.
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Know your Legal requirements
Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 (As Amended 1999) require any business with 5 or more employees to carry out a written Risk Assessment and have an Emergency plan.
Failure to undertake and hold a written Risk assessment is a Criminal Offence.
Additionally to workplaces, other premises may also be subject to other Regulations that place further special requirements particularly if the general Public may be at Risk. Examples of these are Hotels, places used for the purpose of Public Entertainment’s, licensed premises & restaurants.
Should I carry out a Risk assessment?
Whether a Fire Alarm System has been previously installed or your premises does not have a Fire Alarm or any procedure, it is a requirement by law that the Risk assessment is undertaken.
Fire Alarm System Standard
In most instances the precautions implemented following a Risk Assessment will see the installation of (or Upgrade of) a Fire Alarm system and fire extinguishing equipment.
Regular reviews of your Risk assessment will be required to ensure any changes within your business or building layout are still compliant with the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations.
BS5839 Regulations for the design, installation and Maintenance of Fire Detection & Fire Alarms, details the specific requirements for detection & alarm equipment to satisfy the Fire Precautions Regulations.
Continued compliance
Fire Alarm Regulations BS5839 require the duty holder to undertake Periodic checks to ensure the functionality of the system.
Failure to keep the Fire Alarm System in working order could lead the local Fire Brigade to serve enforcement notices requiring compliance, they also have the authority to close any building which does not meet this act.
Check Frequencies required by BS5839 are:
» Daily
» Weekly
» Quarterly
» Annually
All check frequencies have specific requirements. Checks should be recorded where necessary in the Fire Safety Log Book.
Do Regulations Change?
Regulations have undergone a number of changes since their introduction, keeping up to date with regulations is important and failure to do so may mean that your installation does not comply.
How can Electrical Testing & Data Services help you comply with your legal requirements?
As a Fire Alarm testing Specialist, Electrical Testing & Data Services have considerable expertise in the Periodic Inspection and Test of Fire Alarms.
After careful evaluation of your premises*, its uses and its occupancy, we will carry out a Formal Inspection & test that fully complies with the requirements as set out in BS5839.
All inspections will check that the Fire Alarm is installed in the required locations* as well as testing the functionality of existing lighting.
Periodic Inspection Report & Fire Safety Log Book
Following a Periodic Inspection of your Emergency Lighting Installation, Electrical Testing & Data Services will provide a Certificate that will detail the specific nature of the inspection along with any departures from BS5266 that may exist. All certificates supplied by Electrical Testing & Data Services will clearly display our accreditation with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contractors (NICEIC) along with our enrolment number.
BS5839 requires an up to date log book to be kept that details the type of Fire Alarm System Installed along with all events and checks to be logged. Where no log book is present, Electrical Testing & Data Services can supply a comprehensive log book that fully details the type of Fire Alarm system installed, responsible persons, contractors and even Manufacturers should spare parts be sought. All further inspections will then be recorded within the “Events” section of the book.
*Viewing your risk assessment would be required to fully identify your Fire Alarm requirements.
Disclaimer: All information detailed above is for reference purposes only, any or all details may have changed, please refer to current Regulations & Guidelines.
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Fixed Wiring Inspection Testing
Electrical Mains Installation Testing & Emergency Lighting Testing
Periodic Inspection and Testing is offered in accordance with BS7671 (as amended). This means, in effect, that most systems require certifying every five years. In practical terms and to aid budget management, many of our customers now opt for a 100% visual inspection and 20% test of their installation every year.
Our Test Engineers
Senior Test Engineers are required to hold a City & Guilds 2360 (Parts I & II) certificate, or equivalent, at 16th Edition level of the IEE Wiring Regulations, together with a more advanced qualification, usually a City & Guilds 2391 (Inspection & Testing) Certificate.
Handheld Computer Technology
An advanced testing application, based upon a Windows platform, is now under development to expand the capability of a Psion programme introduced several years ago. The new programme offers benefits far in advance of any other product associated with electrical testing.
Periodic Inspection Reports
Reports are produced in NICEIC format. Consistent with the requirements of our Quality System, Category 1 failures are listed on a 4-part Failure Report that ensures the customer is advised of all dangerous faults without delay.
Local Authority Certification
Local authorities produce a range of documents requiring completion by an accredited test engineer. We will be pleased to help companies with this or any similar documentation.
Petrol Stations and Hazardous Areas
Should there be a requirement of this kind, we will be pleased to provide a suitably qualified engineer.
Repairs/Remedial Work
Each of our companies operates a separate, independently-managed Division to undertake remedial work. Duty engineers can be contacted 24-hours / 7 days-a-week.
Reporting
Fully detailed Test Results/Certificates are made available to our customers, usually within 15 working days of the Test Programme being completed.
Data Storage and Back-up
Separately from the written report, all test data is stored and managed electronically with a proper back-up facility.
Costs
Cost estimates are usually prepared for each individual site and will reflect the number of circuits to be tested, the availability of circuit data and the proportion of circuits to be tested outside normal office hours.
Where a large testing requirement exists, we will be able to agree an 'all-hours' rate per circuit to help with budgeting and planning. Should a customer have a large number of separate, smaller sites, testing costs are then based upon an agreed fee.
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