As the complexity of modern buildings increases, ensuring that all electrical equipment and electrical installations are functioning safely and effectivelyis a frontline defence againsthealth and safety issues,equipment failure and costly downtime.
As the complexity of modern buildings increases, ensuring that all electrical equipment and electrical installations are functioning safely and effectivelyis a frontline defence againsthealth and safety issues,equipment failure and costly downtime.
Electrical faults are one of the leading causes of workplace fires and equipment and power failures. Without regular inspection and testing, these hidden dangers will go undetected.
The term ‘electrical installation’ covers power and lighting cables and their associated containment systems, along with a wide range of fixed electrical equipment, including sockets and switches, distribution boards and sub-main network cables and switchgear, and fire, security and control systems.
British Standard BS 7671 (as amended) Regulation 135.1recommendsthat every electrical installation is subjected to periodic inspection and testing and an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
The required frequency of the EICR can vary from twelve months to five years depending on the type of installation - for example, a special location or a standard commercial building. This is detailed in Table 3.2 of the IET Guidance note 3.
The EICR includesa formal visual inspectionandtest results for earth continuity, polarity, insultation resistance, earth fault loop impedance and RCD testing on circuits.
The outcome of the EICR willeither be ‘satisfactory’ or ‘unsatisfactory’ depending on the classification of codes attributed to the observations found during the inspection process.
Any C1, C2 or FI observationsidentified during the inspection process will result in an unsatisfactory status of EICR. These will need to be remedied by a qualified engineer, who will then issue a Minor Work Certificate (MWC) or Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) for the remedial work, dependent on the extent of the work that was carried out.
The MWC and/or EIC completed by the engineer will supersede the unsatisfactory status of the report. Importantly,this process will also present a paper trail which clearly indicates the path to compliance, should you ever need to prove it.
Having an experienced specialist carry outperiodic inspection andtesting, and any remedial workrequired, will ensure compliance with both the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Electrical equipment that can be connected and disconnected from an electrical supply, such as laptops, computers, kettles, fridges and extension leads, requires regular Electrical Equipment Testing (EET), formerly known as Portable Appliance Testing (PAT). This is to ensure that the risks of electric shock, overheating and fire from electrical equipment is reduced.
Following the requirements of the Code of Practice for In- Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment 5th edition , EET testing by a skilled person is recommended by specialists as the best way toensure compliance with Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.This will ensure that equipment is safe to use in the workplace, including any electrical equipment employees are using when working from home.
An EET engineer will carry out a formalvisual inspection and test on the equipment. The tests carried out on the equipment include earth continuity, polarity and insultation resistance. Dependent on the results of the formal inspection and test results, the appliance will then receive a pass or fail sticker.
Failed appliances must not be used and should be removed from serviceimmediately.
Ensuring your compliance by following the recommendations for electrical installation and equipment inspection and testing is the best way to protect your business, employees and visitors.
Danny Power, Operations Director at phs Compliance
phs Compliance is the UK’s leading provider of electrical testing with a 5 star Trustpilot rating. It has the largest team of specialist statutory testing operators in the industry, bringing unrivalled expertise and the best service and value to businesses across the country.
It holds accreditation with UKAS as a Type C inspection body accredited to ISO/IEC 17020:2012, which covers the inspection of new and existing electrical installations and the in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
phs Compliance’s accreditation with UKAS ensures that every aspect of itsquality management system, including competency and impartiality of its engineers, inspection methods andmanagement system procedures are comprehensively audited at the highest level within the industry.
phsCompliance is also certified by the NICEIC as an approved contractor.
For further information for businesses, phs Compliance has created free, user-friendly guides to fixed wire and electrical equipment testing on its website www.phscompliance.co.uk
By Danny Power, Operations Director at phs Compliance
phs Compliance began working with our 'Big Four' food and grocery retail customer in 2009, delivering fixed wire and portable appliance inspection and testing services across one hundred per cent of
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phs Compliance began working with our Tier 1 facilities management firm’s central government customer delivering HVAC planned preventive maintenance (PPM) to internal and externally-mounted equipment
phs Compliance were commissioned to replace 135 existing multi-storey car park overhead lights and emergency exit signs with new energy-saving LED lights combined with motion sensors. The car park
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