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Inspection & Testing Background

Background to Inspection & Testing

All electrical installations and electrical equipment will tend to deteriorate over time due to accidental or deliberate damage, corrosion, electrical overloading and from environmental factors. It is important, therefore, that the installation can be maintained without undue difficulty and kept in a safe condition throughout its life. The likely requirements for future maintenance should be assessed in the early stages of the electrical installation design, and taken into account in the design.

The frequency of the periodic inspection and testing must be determined taking into account:

the type of installation

its use and operation

the frequency and quality of maintenance

the external influences to which it is subjected.

The IEE give the following recommend intervals between periodic inspections:

10 years for a domestic installation (or upon change of occupancy)

5 years for a commercial installation (or upon change of occupancy)

3 years for caravans

3 year for church installations

1 year for swimming pools

1 year for emergency lighting

For a detailed schedule of property types click here

Purpose of Periodic Inspection and Testing

The purpose of periodic inspection and testing is to provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, for:

The safety of persons and livestock against the effects of electric shock and burns
Protection against damage to property by fire and heat arising from an installation defect, and
Confirmation that the installation is not damaged or deteriorated so far as to impair safety, and
The identification of installation defects and non-compliance with the requirements of the Regulations which may
    give rise to danger.

Necessity for Periodic Inspection and Testing:  Electrical Testing - Legal Requirements

Periodic inspection and testing is necessary because all installations deteriorate due to a number of factors, such as damage, wear, tear, corrosion, excessive electrical loading’ ageing and environmental influences. Consequently:

legislation requires that electrical installations are maintained in a safe condition and therefore must be
    periodically tested
licensing authorities, public bodies, insurance companies, mortgage lenders and others may require periodic
   inspection and testing of electrical installations
additionally, periodic inspection and testing should be considered:
to access compliance with BS7671 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
on change of occupancy of the premises
on change of use of the premises
after alterations or additions to the original installation
because of any significant change in the electrical loading of the installation
where there is reason to believe that damage may have been caused to the installation.

For further information or to arrange an appointment for a survey please do not hesitate to contact us.