Electrical Compliance Certificates: Electrical Inspection and Testing

Posted by Trade Facilities Services on January 11th, 2018

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 legally obliges all workplaces to keep their electrical systems well-maintained. Failure to comply is considered a criminal offence, resulting in £5,000 fine or a six-month imprisonment. Different regulatory bodies such as the NICEIC, ELECSA, and NAPIT are tasked to issue electrical compliance certificates to land or property owners as proof that their electrical installations meet the standards of BS 7671.

Certified electricians have to conduct electrical inspections and testing in the premises before certificates can be granted. These procedures should be done before the systems are used or put into service, in compliance with the Regulation 610.1. To determine whether the electrical installations are still good for continued service, this regulation further requires a periodic inspection and testing. Certified electricians can inspect and test both existing installations and newly installed circuits. Landlords need to get these certificates every three to five years as recommended by the regulatory bodies. Meanwhile, those who have swimming pools in their properties are advised to conduct electrical testing every year.

Professional electricians check the different aspects of the electrical system in a series of tests. Not only do they check fixed wires or circuits—they also look at portable appliances. Upon identification of potential threats like defective wiring and lack of earthing, they recommend preventive action. Thus, electrical inspection and testing help avert major security and safety risks such as electric shocks and fire. Another major benefit of regular maintenance is early detection of any overloaded electrical circuits. With a regular inspection and testing schedule, you can also get insights from professional electricians about the risk of electrical problems in your property. In the long run, property owners are able to prevent business interruptions because of faulty electrical systems. They can likewise save money from driving down their utility costs and extending the life expectancy of their electrical systems.

Are you ready to get your electrical compliance certificate? The key is to work with certified electricians who are authorised to issue such certifications. The best ones provide a full range of compliance services for domestic, commercial, or industrial settings. They can help ensure that you have all the paperwork necessary to remain compliant, including an actual electrical compliance certificate or the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) honoured by the law.

About the Author

I am James Livingstone the owner of Trade Facilities Services, we provide electrical certificates and electrical testing in London, Essex and Kent at reasonable and fair prices. The company is fully insured, and all electricians are qualified and are members of either NAPIT or the NICEIC. We believe in publishing the correct information for our consumers to ensure they get value for money.