Inspection and testing...
Why inspect and test an electrical installation?
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.
Periodic inspections are the formally recognized way of assessing an
existing installation.
legislation requires that electrical installations are maintained
In a safe condition and therefore must be periodically
Inspected and tested.
licensing authorities, public bodies, insurance companies,
Mortgage lenders and others may require periodic
Inspection and testing of electrical installations.
Additionally, periodic inspection and testing should be considered:
(a) To assess compliance with BS 7671 (IEE wiring regulations)
(b) On a change of occupancy of the premises
(c) On a change of use of the premises
(d) After an 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.
Where diagrams, charts or tables are not available, a degree of exploratory work is normally necessary so that inspection and testing can be carried out safely and effectively.
A survey may be necessary to identify switchgear, controlgear, and the circuits they control.
Formal inspection and testing should only be undertaken by someone competent
to do such work, such as an Approved Contractor. Formal inspection and testing
should be more frequent where the risk is found to be greater, for instance where
the installation is very old, where damage is regularly found during inspections,
etc.
Landlords and Tenants
A landlord is required to provide a tenant with an electrical installation in good condition and repair.
Landlords should ensure that the electrical installation (fixed wiring, etc) is safe to use. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords to ensure the electrical installation is safe when the tenancy begins, and that it is maintained in a safe condition throughout that tenancy.
The landlord should maintain the installation in a condition suitable for the use intended, and ensure that repairs are undertaken by a competent person. A tenant has a duty to ensure that those parts of the installation that are his or her responsibility are maintained in a safe condition, and to ensure that repairs are carried out only by a competent person.
