Commercial Property
Electrical testing, maintenance and visual inspections are essential
You can be sure that the breakdown of electrical appliances or circuitry will be dangerous and could even be fatal. Without a certificate of testing you run the risk of prosecution and invalidating your commercial insurance policy. Electrical equipment ranges from any electrical appliance with a plug, to a 400kv overhead power cable.
The introduction of stringent UK and European safety regulations over the last 10 years has required us to become increasingly specialised in protecting our clients, by smoothing the path to compliance and removing the risks that lead to civil litigation and prosecution.
When you instruct The Power Service to conduct your inspections, we are seen as an extension of your organisation by your employees. That’s why we employ all our engineers, so that they have a vested interest in maintaining the high levels of professionalism you expect from your own staff.
We understand the challenges which you face on a day to day basis. In fact, on a number of occasions we have been invited to offer our experience and expertise in finding solutions to specific problems which were not directly related to our inspection work. All of our electrical engineering personnel are IEE 16th & 17thEdition Electricians.
The Power Service has been providing an electrical testing and maintenance service for over a decade. We are members of the NICEIC, NAPIT and Safe Contractor. We also hold the Trustmark emblem as members of NAPIT. Our Commercial Property service began with the provision of Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) and very quickly expanded into Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) and Emergency Lighting Testing and Maintenance. We now also cover Fire Alarm Testing and Maintenance.
EICR
NICEIC – EICR Requirements for Commercial Premises
Legislation/ Guidance
- Electricity at work regulations 1989
- BS7671:2008 ;IET wiring regulations 17th edition
- Health and Safety at work etc Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
What is a Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an inspection on the condition of an existing electrical installation, to identify (in order of priority) any deficiencies against the national safety standard for electrical installations.
Why is an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) required?
Every electrical installation deteriorates with use and age. It is important for the person responsible for the maintenance of the installation to be sure that the safety of users is not put at risk, and that the installation continues to be in a safe and serviceable condition.
When is an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) needed?
It is recommended by the IET that fixed electrical installations should be inspected & tested at least once every five years, dependent on the type of installation and business practice, by a qualified person. If any faults are detected these should be remedied as soon as possible.
PAT Testing
Portable Appliance Testing
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 place a “duty of care” on employers to maintain electrical systems to prevent danger where otherwise it may exist, the term electrical systems refers to all parts of an installation including portable appliances. The most efficient and comprehensive way of ensuring your duties are performed and adequate records are kept is by performing Portable Appliance testing (PAT) in accordance with the IEE Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment. By following this practice, you can be sure that your obligations have been met under the Health and Safety at Work Act so far as electrical safety is concerned and more importantly that your staffs, visitors, patients, buildings and possessions are safe.
Emergency Lighting
Emergency Lighting Testing and Maintenance
The regulations appertaining to emergency lighting and Fire Alarm Testing stem from the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for commercial buildings.
The order presents a mandatory requirement to ensure that emergency lighting systems and individual luminaires are tested and drained on an annual basis. This must be performed by a qualified electrician, as certain tests are required to be applied to the circuitry supplying the lighting system. The results of these tests must be recorded in a log book which should be kept on the premises and made available for inspection, if requested.
Fire & Smoke Alarms
Fire and Smoke Alarm Testing & Maintenance
The regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 clearly underlines the requirements for the testing and maintenance of fire detection systems.
If you fail to properly maintain your fire alarm, smoke detectors and other component parts of your fire detection system, to the standards as required iby BS5839, then you may be in violation of health and safety regulations, local authority guidelines, European legislation and even the terms of your insurance. This may subsequently invalidate any claim which you might make in the event of a fire.
The Power Service will consult with you to ensure that we implement a test and inspection regime which not only meets with your requirements, but also ensures your compliance with the relevant laws and insurers requirements.
