How often should periodic electrical inspections be carried out?
6 Answers
Answered by MRBE Ltd T/A MRB Electrical
2nd May 2020
MRBE Ltd T/A MRB Electrical answered the question "How often should periodic electrical inspections be carried out?"
The frequency that periodic electrical inspections should be completed in domestic dwellings will vary depending on certain factors - privately owned, privately rented, local authority rented. For privately owned where the property is not used for any other purpose than a private home, the maximum period is recommended at 10 years, but this may be extended if the property has no alterations and is maintained electrically. For privately rented properties new legislation requires the maximum frequency is 5 years, but further inspections should be carried out at change of occupancy. Local authorities may differ as they (in theory) carry out regular maintenance so testing frequencies may be longer than 5 years. With all types of property the maximum duration may be reduced by the inspecting electrician if the installation is in a poor condition. Commercial properties differ again, typically a maximum frequency of 5 years but may be subject to annual or even 6 monthly inspections depending on their use.
Answered by Keynston Services
6th March 2020
Keynston Services answered the question "How often should periodic electrical inspections be carried out?"
For a domestic property the guideline is <10 years ***. For rental property this may be less as per the shorter gas safe guidelines. But an electrician may set a lower recommendation depending upon the nature of the property, its use and the age of the installation. Scotland, Wales and NI already have additional requirements for rentals. From 2020 onwards rented properties in England will require an electrical safety certificate, once the new legidlation is passed ( The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020). *** but rarely observed!!!!!
Answered by RCP Installations Ltd
27th February 2020
RCP Installations Ltd answered the question "How often should periodic electrical inspections be carried out?"
As a guide, the maximum frequency would be 5 years for commercial & 10 years for domestic dwelling. Upon inspection, the inspector will use judgement and may often recommend its next inspection be less than this. Typically 1 to 5 years depending on use of the premises and test results.
Answered by Orman Electrics
18th May 2019
Orman Electrics answered the question "How often should periodic electrical inspections be carried out?"
The electrical installation condition report will depend on the age of the installation and will be determined by the results found at the previous inspection. As a rule the inspection should be carried out at lest every : five years for Commercial properties Five years or change of tenancy and rented accommodation 10 years on a domestic dwelling
Answered by M.E.T Electrical Ltd
22nd March 2019
M.E.T Electrical Ltd answered the question "How often should periodic electrical inspections be carried out?"
Electrical installations should be inspected at an interval determined by the engineer carrying out the inspection. A new installation in a domestic setting should have an initial period of 10 years to the next inspection. After that, the length of time is based upon the test results from the inspection. In commercial installations the initial period is usually 5 years, depending upon the use of the installation, and again after the first inspection the time period is determined by the test results the engineer observes.
Answered by Edwards
8th February 2019
Edwards answered the question "How often should periodic electrical inspections be carried out?"
Guidance for a domestic installation is that it should be inspected & tested every 10 years privately, 5 years for tenanted properties or in both cases change of occupancy if that is sooner. In commercial, Industrial or public buildings guidance is building and use specific but commonly 1, 3 or 5 years. Landlords must ensure the electrical installations are safe when tenants move in and are maintained in a safe condition throughout their duration, in HMO’s (houses of multiple occupation) there is a further legal obligation to carry out a 5 yearly EICR - Electrical Installation Condition Report. Electrical regulations are not retrospective, the inspection and testing procedure is carried out by comparing the installation to the latest regulations at the time of inspection, faults and deviations are coded as follows C1 Immediately Dangerous, exposed bare live cables for example C2 Requires Improvement, a broken switch or socket outlet with no exposed live parts. C3 Improvement Recommended, Missing RCD protection for circuits unlikely to supply portable or mobile equipment outside, with the exception of locations containing a bath or shower. FI Further Investigation, missing or borrowed neutral for a circuit. Any C1, C2 or FI coded items result in an ‘unsatisfactory’ Report being issued. Similar to an MOT failure. There is however no requirement to ‘rewire’ a property you could for example repair defects. The number and severity of defects will inform the decision as to whether or not a rewire should be considered.