click here to see some of our satisfied customers

Fixed Installation Testing - explained

Fixed Installation Testing is the inspection and testing of the permanent electrical systems (circuits) within premises. It is an electrical survey carried out to ascertain if there are any faults present within the fixed electrical installation and also to check that the electrical installation complies with current electrical legislation. Essential Electrical carry out fixed installation testing to BS7671 IEE (IET) Wiring Regulations standards. Our electrical engineers hold both City and Guilds 2381/2382 and 2391 electrical qualifications and are fully experienced in the inspection and testing of commercial, industrial and residential premises. Upon completion of the electrical testing, a 'periodic inspection and test report' is issued. The routine inspection and testing of your fixed electrical installation, ensures compliance under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Consumer Protection Act 1987. Electrical installation testing is also a common requirement for business and public premises insurance.

Our electrical testing prices for business premises are extremely competitive and start at just £12 per circuit. For residential dwellings we have a standard price structure, please see our electrical testing prices page for details.

Click here to email us

First and foremost we will liase with you as to the purpose for the fixed installation testing and ascertain the extent of inspection and testing to be carried out. It is our aim to minimise disruption to your premises whilst at the same time provide a thorough and professional electrical testing service.

Following a visual appraisal and verification of the entire electrical installation, the following test procedures are applied where appropriate, in order to ascertain the safety of electrical installation :

• Continuity - to ascertain that the earthing is continuous throughout the circuit.
• Bonding Conductors Continuity - to ensure bonding is in place and effective.
• Ring Circuit Continuity - ascertains whether or not the ring is complete.
• Insulation Resistance - to test whether there has been any breakdown in insulation to the installation.
• Polarity - to check that the installation is correctly wired.
• Earth Fault Loop Impedance - to ascertain the Zs of the installation.
• Earth Electrode Resistance - applies to TT systems only, to test the earthing rods.
• RCD testing - to check that Residual Current Device disconnects the supply in the event of a fault.
• Functional testing of isolators and breakers - to ensure that they disconnect the supply.

A detailed Periodic Inspection Report is supplied containing the following certification: Guidance Notes for recipients, Schedule of Inspection and Schedule of Test Results. The engineer who carried out your testing will also talk through the results with you and explain if any remedial work is necessary in order to remedy an unsafe installation.

If the electrical installation has any faults, they will be listed under the section of observations and recommendations and will be given one of the following codes:

• code one - requires urgent attention
• code two - requires improvement
• code three - requires further investigation
• code four - does not comply with current BS7671 standards

Although we are pleased to carry out any remedial work required, you may of course choose to have the work completed by a qualified third party.

We are fully insured to the value of £5m. Copies of our insurance details are available to clients upon request.

One of the new requirements under the 2008 regulations is that new electrical installations will have to be RCD protected. Plug sockets will be allowed in bathrooms or shower rooms subject to them being protected by a 30mA RCD and situated at least 3 metres away from zone 1 (the edge of bath or shower).

LANDLORDZONE - useful website for landlords

The IEE (IET) Guidance Note 3 recommended frequency of Inspection and Testing tables give the maximum period allowed between each periodic inspection and testing:

• Commercial premises - max 5 years
• Industrial premises - max 3 years
• Hotels and Public Houses - max 5 years
• Shops and Offices - max 5 years
• Domestic - max 10 years or at change of occupancy
• Residential - max 5 years or at change of occupancy
• Launderettes - max 1 year
• Community Centres/Village Halls - max 5 years
• Churches - max 5 years
• Educational premises - max 5 years
• Places of public entertainment and theatres - max 3 years
• Leisure complexes (excluding swimming pools) - max 3 years
• Swimming Pools - max 1 year
• Construction site/temporary installations - every 3 months

This list is by no means exhaustive, we are happy to provide you with the IEE (IET) frequencies of testing for your given installations. We also provide Landlord Certificates for the property rental sector.

Our legal page contains information in relation to your electrical health and safety requirements and obligations.

sitemap

©2007 Essential Electrical Services (UK) LLP. Brandon Road, Stubton, NG23 5BY  Tel 01636 626168 Mon - Fri 9am -5.00pm.