Here is a brief explanation as to why electrical testing is essential and why it should form part of your routine electrical maintenance programs.
All electrical installations should be tested and inspected to ensure adequate protection of people, livestock and buildings from electric shock and potential fires.
Regular inspection and testing of a customer’s electrical infrastructure is required to prove the electrical installation is safe and well maintained.
If you’re the person responsible for safety in your organisation you will know that the ownness is on you to prove that you have taken all necessary measures to ensure the electrical safety of the premises.
Interested stakeholders like the HSE and insurance company will want to see evidence that the site is well maintained.
The industry-standard way to demonstrate compliance with the various regulations and thereby demonstrate the necessary proof to all stakeholders is to have your electrical infrastructure tested and inspected.
This process will culminate in you receiving a Fixed Wire Testing Report, otherwise known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
Most commercial premises must be tested every five years. In other types of premises, the testing period can vary some examples below.
| Installation Type | Maximum Period between Inspections |
| Domestic Accommodation | 10 Years |
| Private Rented accommodation | 5 Years |
| Offices | 5 Years |
| Schools/Colleges/Churches/village hall | 5 Years |
| Hotel/Restaurant/Pubs | 5 Years |
| Laboratories/Medical/Hospital* | 5 Years (can be 1 year for medical rooms) |
| Cinemas/ | 1-3 Years |
| Leisure Complex | 3 Years |
| Theatre | 3 Years |
| Swimming Pools | 1 Year |
It’s worth pointing out that it’s the on-site engineer who decides the period between testing, yes it’s usually five years, but if the infrastructure is in an inferior condition and unsafe this period can be reduced
The type of installation, how well it’s maintained and the records kept will also have a direct impact on the time, and amount of testing required when this service is carried out.
Once the report has been generated, it will state the condition of the electrical installation.
Whatever the report states you should seek advice on what is the best way to proceed to ensure you “Duty of Care” is intact
As you would expect, we offer a complete end to end service for our clients so that they can be sure of full compliance when it comes to the electrical safety of their Premises.
Lastly, if you want to know in more depth what the reports cover, why not head over to an article we wrote here that covers the main elements of the report in more detail.
