Testing and Inspection

Testing and Inspection

There are several reasons why you may require an electrical test and inspection. Each installation should be tested at regular intervals or at a change of occupancy. This is to ensure that all wiring is safe and fit for purpose.

This is particularly important on rented accommodation. The minister of housing communities and local government has written draft legislation proposed to come into force on 1st April 2020.

What ever the reason we will thoroughly inspect and test your property to make sure your electrical installation is safe.

The maximum recommended testing intervals varies listed below is the most of the common premises with their maximum recommended test intervals. (18^th Ed, BS7671 2018)

• Domestic accommodation (General) – 10 years or change of occupancy
• Domestic accommodation (Rented houses and flats) – 5 years or at change of occupancy
• Offices – 5 years
• Restaurants and Hotels – 5 years
• Public houses – 5
• Shops – 5 years
• Offices – 5 years

There are two parts to an electrical test, firstly the inspection.

The inspection part involves checking everything within the premises and identifying anything which is unsafe, does not comply with wiring regulations or is damaged or deteriorated.

Some of the items checked include:

• Checking for any damaged sockets, light fittings or switches
• Correctly sized circuit breakers/fuses for cables used
• Operation of circuit breakers, R.C.D. and switches
• Correctly sized earthing conductors
• Bathroom and outside lighting suitable for location
• Checking that there are no signs of heat or burning to cables or circuit breakers
• Metal light fittings, switches and sockets are earthed correctly

Once an inspection has been carried out, then the installation has various tests which will verify whether there is any damage within the cables, problems with switches or loose connections.

This will identify whether the installation is deteriorating, unsafe or is safe for continued use. The results are all recorded on a schedule of tests and will be included within the Electrical Condition Report issued following the Test and inspection. In many cases installations are found to be satisfactory, but been completed to an older version of the wiring regulations, in these circumstances we will recommend upgrades which will make your electrical wiring safer and comply with the current wiring regulations.