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If you have an enquiry please use our ENQUIRY FORM on the CONTACT PAGE. Purpose of Periodic Inspection and Testing The purpose of periodic inspection and testing is to provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, for: (i) the safety of persons and livestock against the effects of electric shock and burns in accordance with the general "requirements" Regulation 130-01, and (ii) protection against damage to property by fire and heat arising from an installation defect, and (iii) confirmation that the installation is not damaged or deteriorated rated so as to impair safety, and (iv) the identification of installation defects and non-compliance with the requirements of the Regulations which may give rise to danger. For an installation under effective supervision in normal use, periodic inspection and testing may be replaced by an adequate regime of continuous monitoring and maintenance of the installation and all its constituent equipment by skilled persons. Appropriate maintenance records must be kept. If an installation is maintained under a planned maintenance management system, incorporating monitoring and supervised by a suitably qualified electrical engineer, with the results being recorded and kept over a period of time, then a formal periodic inspection and test certificate may not be required. The records may be kept on paper or computer and should record that electrical maintenance and testing has been carried out. The results of any tests should be recorded. The results should be available for scrutiny and need not be in the standard lEE Periodic Inspection Report format. NECESSITY for periodic inspection and testing Periodic inspection and testing is necessary because all electrical installations deteriorate due to a number of factors such as damage, wear, tear, corrosion, excessive electrical loading, ageing and environmental influences. Consequently: (i) legislation requires that electrical installations are maintained in a safe condition and therefore must be periodically inspected and tested - Tables 3.1 and 3.2 (ii) licensing authorities, public bodies, insurance companies, mortgage lenders and others may require periodic inspection and testing of electrical installations -Tables 3.1 and 3.2 (iii) additionally, periodic inspection and testing should be considered: (a) to assess compliance with BS 7671 (b) on a change of occupancy of the premises (c) on a change of use of the premises (d) after alterations or additions to the original installation (e) because of any significant change in the electrical loading of the installation (f) where there is reason to believe that damage may have been caused to the installation. Reference to legislation and other documents is made below and it is vital that these requirements are ascertained before undertaking periodic inspection and testing. Electricity at Work Regulations Regulation 4(2) of the electricity at Work Regulations 1989 requires that: As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger. The Memorandum of Guidance published by the Health and Safety Executive advises that this regulation is concerned with the need for maintenance to ensure the safety of the system rather than being concerned with the activity of doing the maintenance in a safe manner, which is required by Regulation 4(3). The obligation to maintain a system arises if danger would otherwise result. There is no specific requirement to carry out a maintenance activity as such, what is required is that the system be kept in a safe condition. The frequency and nature of the maintenance must be such as to prevent danger so far as is reasonably practicable. Regular inspection of equipment including the electrical installation is an essential part of any preventive maintenance programme. This regular inspection may be carried out as required with or without dismantling and supplemented by testing. There is no specific requirement to test the installation on every inspection. Where testing requires dismantling, the tester should consider whether that the risks associated with dismantling and re-assembling are justified. Dismantling, and particularly disconnection of cables or components, introduces a risk of unsatisfactory reassembly. Design When carrying out the; design of an installation and particularly when specifying the equipment, the designer will be taking into account the quality of the maintenance to be specified including the frequency of routine checks and the period between subsequent inspections (supplemented as necessary by testing). Information on the requirements for routine checks and inspections should be provided in accordance with Section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and as required by The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994. |
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0845 230 5002 - Office (08.00 - 17.00) 
023 8068 2015 
admin@ace-electrical.co.uk