In terms of electricity, there is no such thing as being too safe. According to the Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989, employers are required by law to ensure that the electrical equipment on their property is secure in order to lower the risk of any kind of serious or fatal accident.
In order to comply with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) standards for rigorous levels of inspection and reporting, especially in buildings that are open to the public, it is essential that electrical safety testing be performed on a regular basis.
What is fixed wire testing?
A crucial component of your planned preventative maintenance (PPM), which is a fixed wire test, sometimes referred to as an “Electrical System Condition Report” (EICR) or a “Periodic Inspection,” essentially inspects the electrical installation in your facility.
Not to be confused with portable appliance testing is this wire testing (PAT). In contrast to your electrical installation, PAT Testing is where your electrical appliances and equipment are maintained.
Imagine that while one checks the overall circuit and wiring integrity, the other verifies the integrity of the devices you are plugging in and powering.
What is included in fixed wire testing?
A skilled engineer will inspect and evaluate a complete building’s electrical installation during a fixed wire test to make sure it is secure and complies with all applicable laws.
The test, which also goes by the names fixed electrical wire test and Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), examines a wide range of systems including:
- Air conditioning
- Circuit breakers
- Distribution boards
- Fixed plant
- Fuses
- Hardwiring and connections
- Lighting circuits
- Residual Current Devices (RCDs)
- Sockets
- Switchboards
The examination of portable appliances that are plugged into the mains electricity is excluded from fixed wire testing. To find any flaws or damage, this equipment needs go through Portable Appliance Testing (PAT).
Major hazards acknowledged in fixed wire testing
The the fixed wire testing engineer uses a combination of electronic tests, visual inspections, and other techniques to look for the following things to reduce the possibility of an electrical fire on your property:
- Absent bonding or earthing
- Electric shock hazards
- Defective electrical work
- Frayed wiring
- Exposed live components
- Overloaded circuits
- Loose connections
How often a fixed wire test must be carried out?
The ratio of testing differs depending on a number of variables, including the size and kind of the business, the type of electrical systems, how they are used, and how long it has been since the last maintenance. For instance, heavy equipment in a manufacturing company will require more frequent inspections than in a tiny commercial office.
The minimum interval between inspections for industrial properties should be 3 years, while the maximum interval for offices and retail stores should be 5 years. For facilities like spas and swimming pools that could potentially come into contact with water, annual inspections are necessary.
Many companies make the error of disobeying the most recent health and safety regulations regarding the electrical systems in their buildings. You run the danger of having your building insurance cancelled and incurring large charges if you don’t follow the rules and regulations.