Electrical Testing

A periodic inspection is an inspection and associated testing to check whether an electrical installation is in a satisfactory condition for continued service. An inspection results in an Electrical Installation Condition Report detailing any observed damage, deterioration, defects, dangerous conditions and any non-compliances with the present-day safety standards.

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, who are registered contractors with a competent persons scheme, for example the NICEIC.

The current recommendations state the following times and frequencies for inspections:

• Tenanted properties, every 5 years or at each change of occupancy, whichever is sooner The Landlords and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical wiring in repair and in proper working order.
• Commercial premises at least every 5 years
• Industrial premises at least every 3 years
• Rented Caravans every 3 years, unless high usage then every year
• Swimming Pools every year

Part P is a building control requirement additional to the BS 7671 wiring regulations. Combined they set requirements for design, installation, inspection, testing, verification and certification of the following types of electrical work:

• Electrics in or attached to a dwelling
• Electrics in the common parts of buildings serving one or more dwellings, but excluding power supplies to lifts
• Electrics in a building that receives its electricity from a source located within or shared with a dwelling, and
• Electrics in a garden or in or on land associated with a building where the electricity supply is from a source located within or shared with a dwelling

The term dwelling includes electrical installations in business premises that share an electricity supply with dwellings, such as shops and public houses with a flat above.

• Part P applies to electrical installations located in outbuildings such as detached garages, sheds and greenhouses.
• Part P applies to parts of electrical installations located on land around dwellings such as garden lighting.
• Part P applies to electrical installations that operate at voltages not exceeding 1000 V a.c.
• Notifiable work includes new installations, house re-wires, and the installation of new circuits. Notifiable work also includes additions/ alterations to existing circuits in bathrooms, outdoors and other special locations.

The following types of work are non-notifiable:

• Replacing socket-outlets, control switches and ceiling roses
• Replacing the cable for a single circuit only, where damaged, by fire, rodent or impact
• Re-fixing or replacing the enclosures of existing installation components
• Providing mechanical protection to existing fixed installations
• Installing or upgrading main or supplementary equipotential bonding
• Work that is not in a special location as identified in section 7 of BS7671 and consists of – adding lighting points (light fittings and switches) to an existing circuit  or adding socket-outlets and fused spurs to an existing ring or radial circuit

There is a big difference between an Electrical contractor who is NICEIC approved and one who is not. Whether you are hiring an electrician for your business, or for your home, it might be useful to know what the difference is…

NATIONAL INSPECTION COUNCIL for ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONTRACTING or N.I.C.E.I.C. is the main recognised professional body for all electricians in the UK.

It means the Electrical contractor has attained specific professional standards and gives their official seal of approval that their work will be performed to the current standards.

It covers industrial, commercial and domestic electrics and includes everything from installing a light switch to designing and installing a commercial electrical system and searching for faults.

There are many different regulations to comply with for wiring, consumer boards, lighting, and commercial electrics and the NICEIC exists as the overarching professional regulatory body to ensure that the company who is working on your electrics, is in full compliance.

NICEIC guarantees that your Contractor works to safe practices and should anything go wrong, you can rely on this UK wide organisation to resolve the problem for you.

Insurance Claims prefer NICEIC Companies

Most Insurance Companies will be more likely to pay out following any damaged property or goods if you used an accredited NICEIC Contractor than if you didn’t. It may give them an excuse not to pay out on a claim.

This means it is good business practice to use a contractor who has NICEIC accreditation, especially if you have a business premises with employees and expensive stock.

All Landlords need a current EICR or Electrical Installation Condition Report when looking for a new domestic tenant.

It is a professional inspection and appraisal of the condition of the electrical installation in the property and sometimes referred to as a Domestic Electrical Safety Report.

During the inspection, the electrician will assess the safety of the electrics and will also establish whether any new laws and regulations mean that you might have a non-complying consumer unit, unsafe cabling or outdated fixtures & fittings.

This is especially necessary if you have had a long-term tenant living in the property, and not just for a one or two-year tenancy or student let.

If you own any kind of premises, that has an electricity supply and people in it, then you certainly do, whether it’s a business, a private home, a rented home, a caravan or even a swimming pool! So here are the reasons why, how often you need it, and what should happen:

How often:

• Every business premises should have one every 3-5 years
• Rented properties every 5 years – unless it changes tenancy meanwhile
• Owner occupied homes need one every 5 years – unless it changes ownership
• Caravans should be done every 3 years
• Swimming Pools need one every year because of the higher risks of water and electricity.

Why do I need a Periodic Electrical Inspection?

Electrical installations will slowly deteriorate with age and use. You may have added extra machines or sockets into the original circuit, or you may have damaged a fitting or socket without realising it.

They should be inspected and tested at regular intervals to make sure everything is working properly and it is in a satisfactory condition for continued use. These safety checks are known in the trade as ‘periodic inspection and testing’.

What will a periodic inspection reveal?

• If there is any overloading of electrical circuits or equipment
• If there are any potential Fire hazards or electric shock risks
• If there are any defective electrical parts, not earthed or bonded
• If any wiring or fixed electrical equipment is unsafe by testing it.

What Will I Get After the Inspection?

After the inspection, you will receive an Electrical Condition Report (EICR) along with a schedule of circuits, which is invaluable for any property.

Who should carry out the periodic inspection and what happens?

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, and ideally by an electrical contractor who is accredited by the NIC EIC Then you can be sure that the inspection will meet the criteria for the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations, BS 7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations (IEE Wiring Regulations).

If anything dangerous or potentially dangerous is found, the overall condition of the electrical installation will be declared to be ‘unsatisfactory’, meaning that remedial action is required without delay to remove the risks to those in the premises.