Osborne & Collins specialise in the
Periodic Inspection and Testing of
Electrical Installations of all
Industrial, Commercial and Domestic
properties. Our tests and reports
are accepted by major banks,
building societies, councils,
insurance companies, health & safety
executive and licensing authorities.
Our experience is supported by our
membership of the National
Inspection Council for Electrical
Installation Contractors since 1978.
For your complete peace of mind and
quality assurance we are also
members of the Electrical
Contractors Association, and the
government backed TrustMark Scheme
and Chas. We are also fully approved
under Part P of the building
regulations and have ISO 9001:2000
accreditation.
We use the latest software systems
to provide you with an accurate,
high quality, full colour and
readable report which can be emailed
to you as a PDF file or posted as a
hard copy report.
We will work closely with you to fit
in with shutdown periods/ holidays
(if required) to reduce any
disruption to your workplace.
A periodic
Inspection will:
reveal if any circuits or
equipment are being overloaded
find any potential electrical
shock risks and fire hazards in the
installation
identify any defective DIY
electrical work
highlight any lack of earthing or
bonding
Tests are also carried out on wiring
and associated fixed electrical
equipment to check that it is safe
and a schedule of circuits is
developed during the inspection.
What do you
get?
BS7671: 2008 Compliant Periodic
Inspection Report
Schedule of Test Results
Evidence of any defect and
departures from the IEE Wiring
Regulations
Laminated circuit chart on/near to
fuseboard
Professional technical advice from
a qualified engineer
Notification and advice, relating
to the frequency and extent of
future tests
A quotation for any remedial works
required
Peace of Mind
Ever since the Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989 came into force in
1990 and the Health & Safety at Work
Act in 1974, every business has to
be electrically safe for use by
their staff, customers and the
public.
According to Government statistics,
each year, on average, 10 people die
and approximately 750 are seriously
injured involving unsafe electrical
installations in the home and
workplace.
Routine Checks
Electrical Installations should not
be left without any attention for
the periods of years that are
normally allowed between formal
inspections. In domestic premises it
is presumed that the occupier will
soon notice any breakages or
excessive wear and arrange for
precautions to be taken and repairs
to be carried out.
In other situations, there must be
arrangements made for initiating
reports of wear and tear from users
of the premises. This should be
supplemented by routine checks. The
frequency of these checks will
depend entirely upon the nature of
the premises.
Routine checks would typically
include the steps in the following
table:
Table 1.
Activity
Check
Defects reports
All reported defects
have been rectified
Inspection
Look for:
breakages
wear/deterioration
signs of overheating
missing parts (covers,
screws)
loose fixings
Inspection
Confirm:
Switchgear accessible
(not obstructed)
Doors of enclosures
secure
Adequate labelling in
place
Operation
Operate:
Switchgear (where
reasonable)
Equipment switch on
and off
Including RCDs (using
test button)
These routine checks need not be
carried out by an electrically
skilled person but should be done by
somebody who is able to safely use
the installation and recognise
defects.
Required
information
It is essential that the inspector
knows the extent of the installation
to be inspected and any criteria
regarding the limit of the
inspection. This should be recorded.
Enquiries should be made to the
person responsible for the
electrical installation with regard
to the provision of diagrams, design
criteria, electricity supply and
earthing arrangements.
Diagrams, charts or tables should be
available to indicate the type and
composition of circuits,
identification of protective devices
for shock protection, isolation and
switching and a description of the
method used for fault protection.
The frequency of periodic inspection
and testing must be determined
taking into account:
1. the type of installation
2. the use and operation
3. the frequency and qualify of
maintenance
4. the external influences to which
it is subjected
Table 2 and 3 provides guidance on
the initial frequency of formal
inspections of electrical
installations as well as the routine
checks. The initial frequencies in
the title of the table refers to the
time interval between the issuing of
the Electrical Installation
Certificate on completion of the
work and the first inspection.
Table 2.
Type of installation
Routine check
Maximum Period between
Inspections and testing as
necessary
Reference
(see key) below)
GENERAL INSTALLATION
Domestic
-
change of occupancy /10 yrs
Commercial
1 year
change of occupancy /10 yrs
1,2
Educational
4 months
5 years
1,2
Hospitals
1 year
5 years
1,2
Industrial
1 year
5 years
1,2
Residential
change of
occupancy /1 yr
5 years
1,2
Offices
1 year
5 years
1,2
Shops
1 year
5 years
1,2
Laboratories
1 year
5 years
1,2
BUILDINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Cinemas
1 year
1 to 3 yrs
2,6,7
Church installations
1 year
5 years
2
Leisure complexes
(ex swimming pool)
1year
3 years
1,2,6
Places of public enter
1 year
3 years
1,2,6
Restaurants/hotels
1 year
5 years
1,2,6
Theatres
1 year
3 years
2,6,7
Public houses
1 year
5 years
1,2,6
Village/community
1 year
5 years
1,2
Reference Key
For Table 2.
1.
Particular
attention must be taken to comply with SI
1988 No.1057
Electricity, Safety, Quality and Continuity
Regulations 2002 (as amended)
2.
SI 1989 No 635
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (Reg
4 & Memorandum)
3.
See BS 5266:
Part 1: 2005 Code of practice for the
emergency lighting of premises
Other than cinemas and certain other
specified premises used for entertainment
4.
Other
intervals are recommended for testing
operation of batteries and generators
5.
See BS 5839:
Part 1: 2002 Code of practice for system
design installation design
and servicing (Fire detection and alarm
systems for buildings).
6.
Local
Authority Conditions of License
7.
SI 1995 No
1129 (clause 27) Cinematograph (safety)
regulations
8.
It is
recommended that a caravan is inspected and
tested annually if it is used
Frequently (see 721.514.1 and Fig 721
Instructions for electricity supply)
Table 3.
SPECIAL INSTALLATIONS
Routine check
Maximum Period between
Inspections and testing as
necessary
Reference
(see key) below)
Agricultual/
Horticultural
1 year
3 years
1,2
Caravans
1 year
3 years
8
Caravan parks
6 months
1 year
1,2,6
Highway power supplies
as convenient
6 years
Marinas
4 months
1 year
1,2
Fish Farms
4 months
1 year
1,2
Swimming Pools
4 months
1 year
1,2,6
Emergency lighting
Daily/Monthly
3 years
2,3,4
Fire Alarms
Daily/Weekly/Monthly
1 year
2,4,5
Launderettes
1 year
1 year
1,2,6
Petrol filling
1 year
1 year
1,2,6
Construction site
installations
3 months
3 months
1,2
Reference Key
For Table 3.
9.
Particular
attention must be taken to comply with SI
1988 No.1057
Electricity, Safety, Quality and Continuity
Regulations 2002 (as amended)
10.
SI 1989 No 635
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (Reg
4 & Memorandum)
11.
See BS 5266:
Part 1: 2005 Code of practice for the
emergency lighting of premises
Other than cinemas and certain other
specified premises used for entertainment
12.
Other
intervals are recommended for testing
operation of batteries and generators
13.
See BS 5839:
Part 1: 2002 Code of practice for system
design installation design
and servicing (Fire detection and alarm
systems for buildings).
14.
Local
Authority Conditions of License
15.
SI 1995 No
1129 (clause 27) Cinematograph (safety)
regulations
16.
It is
recommended that a caravan is inspected and
tested annually if it is used
Frequently (see 721.514.1 and Fig 721
Instructions for electricity supply)
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