Lloyd Electrical Building and Maintenance Services :: Periodic Inspection and Testing

All electrical systems, or installations, will deteriorate over time. It is therefore important to have them inspected and tested at regular intervals to make sure they are safe. This is known as "periodic inspection and testing".

An electrical installation is the system of wiring, sockets and other fixed electrical components that enable electricity to be used by appliances, such as fridges, TVs, computers, etc.

On completion of the inspection and testing you will receive an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

Who needs periodic inspection and testing?

Frankly, anybody who has an electrical installation.

It is particularly important for landlords and businesses because you have the safety of a lot more people to consider, not to mention your own.

What does the law require?

For HMOs (Homes of Multiple Occupancy) there is a legal requirement for periodic inspection and testing every 5 years.

For landlords and businesses, the law requires that you keep your property safe at all times. If an accident or fire is the result of a faulty electrical system, you will be required to prove that you took reasonable precautions to prevent it, otherwise you could face a hefty fine or even imprisonment. The best way to prove this is to have a periodic inspection and test conducted, and any faults remedied.

Insurance companies may require proof too

It's not just the law you might need to convince. Insurance companies may require you to prove that you have tested and maintained your electrical installation. The way to remove any doubts about your cover is to have a periodic inspection and make sure any problem areas are addressed.

How often should a periodic inspection be carried out?

The generally recommended interval for landlords and businesses is at least once every 5 years. For homeowners, it is 10 years.

However, some business uses and equipment may involve more wear and tear on the electrical installation, so an electrical engineer may recommend more frequent inspections.

The same applies to landlords - the 5 year interval is just a general recommendation. For safe property rental, an Electrical Installation Condition Report is valid for up to 5 years maximum. However, the condition of the electrical installation at the time of testing may indicate a need to re-test before the 5 year period is up. Your electrical engineer will advise you on this in the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

It is also recommended that landlords have their electrical installation inspected and tested on change of tenancy or when they acquire a property.

Who should carry out a periodic inspection and test?

Periodic inspections and testing should only be carried out by an electrically competent person, such as an electrical engineer, who is able to check that the installation conforms to BS7671 standards.

How we can help

We specialise in testing, and have many years of testing experience. As members of the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT), we are qualified to provide you with the necessary certificates to demonstrate that your electrical installation complies with BS7671 standards.

In addition to providing you with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) as proof of compliance, we also retain a copy just in case you lose yours.

To ensure you are fully compliant with the law, book a periodic inspection and test for your property today. Or, to find out more...

Alternatively, let us take care of periodic inspections and all of your other electrical requirements with a tailored maintenance package.