Testing | The Sparks Here

Inspection & Testing

We carry out Inspection and Testing on a wide range of installations in accordance to the current wiring regulations BS7671:2018

As a domestic or commercial landlord , you are now legally obliged to have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (ECIR) carried out on your property at least once every 5 years or change of tenancy. As an 0000000 Advantage Electrical contractors are approved to carry out this inspection and provide you with the relevant certification.

A full ECIR can take several hours to complete and the actual time taken varies from property to property depending on size and how complex the installation installations is. So it is essential that we take the appropriate amount of time to ensure all safety checks are carried out correctly.

What does an EICR involve

An ECIR short for Electrical installation condition report is a official document that is produced when you have an in depth assessment of your Installation in a domestic and commercial setting.

The test carried out has to be done by a fully qualified electrician in that has been trained in City &Guilds 2391 testing and inspection.

It is vital to have EICR checks when they are required to ensure the installation is safe, correctly installed and maintained. With that any faults found put into categories that are C1,C2,C3 and FI. If any of these codes are found it is vital you act on them as it will tell you what action will be needed to keep the installation safe.

An EICR will flag up any part of the installation that will require attention. We would be looking for any signs of over loading of the system which could cause faults or fire, Any part of the installation could cause shock to human or animal, Safety issues with bonding or earthing and faulty equipment which again could cause shock or fire.

Any faults found on the installation and will noted including the reason for the failure. Once the EICR is has been done we will go over any faults we have found and give you the option if you want us to carry out any remedial work needed to rectify the faults.

It can take some time to fully complete a EICR from a few hours for a flat to weeks for a large commercial premises that would normally be completed in stages. Every property has to be taken on a case by case basis to determine how long it takes.

The purpose and necessity of periodic testing.

The whole purpose of Periodic inspection and testing is to provide an engineering view on whether it is safe or not the installation is in a satisfactory condition where it can continue to be used safely.

The periodic inspection and testing is carried out, so far as is reasonably practicable for

The safety of persons or livestock against the effects of electric shock and burns,
Protections against damage to property by fire and heat arising from an installation defect.
Confirmation that the installation is not damaged or deteriorated so as to impair safety.
Identification of installation defects and departures from the requirements of BS7671 that may rise to danger.

Periodic testing is necessary because over time all electrical installations deteriorate due to a number of factors such as damage, wear and tear, corrosion, excessive electrical loading, aging and environmental influences.

Legislation requires that all electrical installations are maintained so that they are in a safe condition.

All Licencing authorities, public bodies, insurance companies, mortgage lenders and others may require periodic inspection and testing of electrical installations.

Periodic testing of electrical installations should always be considered when there is a change of occupancy especially in a rented property as the land lord had a duty of care to the tenants.

On a change of use for the property, for example change from a office to a dwelling.

After any alterations to the original existing installation such as extra lights or sockets.

Where there is significant change (increase) in the electrical loading of the installation.

Where there is reason to believe that damage may have been caused due to flood or fire.

Electrical installations should not be left without any attention for periods of years that are normally allowed between formal inspections, in a domestic premises it is presumed that the occupier will soon notice any breakages or excessive wear and tear and arrange for precautions to be taken and repairs to be carried out.

In a commercial and industrial settings all electrical installations come under the ELECTRICITY AT WORK REGUALTIONS 1989 and formal arrangements are required for maintenance and intrim routine checks as well as periodic inspections. There should also be a facility to this report and note any defects found and the necessary steps to make it safe before it can be fixed.

Below i have made a list of the maximum time scales and requirements of when a periodic test need to be carried out on your property type.

Residential

Domestic accommodation Owned: EVERY 10 YEARS OR CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP

Domestic accommodation Rented: EVERY 5 YEARS OR CAHNGE OF TENNENT WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK TO ENSURE SAFE USAGE.

Rented accommodation (Houses of multiple occupation): EVERY 5 YEARS OR CHANGE OF TENENT WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK TO ENSURE SAFE USAGE.

Commercial

Commercial workshops/units: EVERY 5 YEARS OR CHANGE OF TENENT, WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Educational establishments: EVERY 5 YEARS, WITH A 6 MONTHLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Industrial: EVERY 3 YEARS, WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Offices: EVERY 5 YEARS WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Shops: EVERY 5 YEARS, WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Laboratories: EVERY 5 YEARS WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

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Buildings open to the public

Hospitals and medical clinics- general areas: EVERY 5 YEARS OR CHANGE OF TENENT, WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Hospitals and medical clinics- medical locations: EVERY YEAR, WITH A 6 MONTHLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Cinemas: EVERY 1-3 YEARS, WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Church/religious buildings: EVERY 5 YEARS WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Leisure complexes (gyms etc): EVERY 3 YEARS, WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Places of public entertainment: EVERY 3 YEARS WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Restaurants, cafe's B&B's and hotels: EVERY 5 YEARS WITH A

YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Theatres: EVERY 3 YEARS, WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Public houses: EVERY 5 YEARS WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Village halls/community centres: EVERY 5 YEARS WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Special and specific installations

Agricultural and horticultural: EVERY 3 YEARS, WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Caravans: EVERY 3 YEARS, WITH A YEARLY ROUTINE CHECK.

Caravan parks: EVERY YEAR, WITH A 6 MONTH ROUTINE CHECK.

Highway power supplies: EVERY 6-8 YEARS WITH A ROUTINE CHECK WHEN EVER IT IS CONVENIENT.

Marinas: EVERY YEAR, WITH A ROUTINE CHECK EVERY 4 MONTHS.

Fish farms: EVERY YEAR WITH A ROUTINE CHECK EVERY 4 MONTHS.

Swimming pools public and private: EVERY YEAR WITH A ROUTINE CHECK EVERY 4 MONTHS.

Emergency lighting: EVERY 3 YEARS, WITH CHECKS CARRIED OUT DAILY/MONTHLY

Fire alarms: EVERY YEAR WITH CHECK CARRIED OUT DAILY/WEEKLY.

Launderettes: EVERY YEAR WITH A ROUTINE CHECK CARRIED OUT EACH MONTH.

Petrol filling stations: EVERY YEAR.

Construction temporary supplies: EVERY 3 MONTHS.

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