
FKB	Electrical LTD email: fkb@fkb.co.uk \| fax: 01270 251399 \| tel: 01270 501244			Unit 10 Quakers Coppice Crewe Gates Cheshire CW1 6EW

navigation:

Inspection and Testing

Periodic Inspections

What is a periodic inspection?

A periodic inspection is an inspection that looks at the condition of an existing electrical installation, to identify any areas where the national safety standards are not met. The installation will be checked against the requirements of BS7671 - requirements for Electrical Installations. Periodic inspections can:

Check if any electrical circuits are overloaded.
Identify any potential risks of electric shock or fire hazards in the installation
Reveal any non-compliant deviations. i.e DIY electrical work.
Highlight and lack of bonding or earthing to others services (i.e water or gas).

Tests are carried out on all fixed wiring and associated fixed electrical equipment. On test completion, a report and a schedule of circuits will be provided.

Why are periodic inspections required?Electrical installations can deteriorate with use and age, The person responsible for the installation must be sure that the users safety is not put at risk, and that the installation remains in a safe and maintanable condition. UK Government statistics state that around 10 people die, and 750 are seriously injured as a result of unsafe electrical installations in the home.

When is an inspection needed?
Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out after a period not exceeding:

10 years for domestic installations (homes, aparments, etc.).
5 years for commercial and industrial installations (warehouses, shops, etc).
prior to the letting of a property.
proir to selling or buying a previously occupied property.

PAT - Portable Appliance Testing

The HSE states that 25% of all reported electrical accidents involve faulty or damaged portable applicances. The Electricity at Work Regulations place a legal responsibility on employers, employees and seld-employd persons to comply withthe provisions of the regulations and take measures to ensure that no danger results from the use of such equipment. This applies to the following:

Where appliances are used by employees.
Where members of the public may use applainces (i.e hospitals, schools, hotels, shops, etc).
Where applicances are supplied or hired.
where applicances are repaired or serviced

Levels of inspection and testing required depends on the risk of the appliance becoming faulty, the nature of its use and where it is used. Time periods between tests vary between 6 and 24 months.

FKB Electrical LTD 01270 501244 mikeh@fkb.co.uk