Table of Contents
All electrical installations must go through periodic inspections to check for any faults and potential risks. They are prone to deteriorate over time causing issues along the way if left unchecked for too long, and can kill, injure, and cause serious property damage.
Periodic inspections are an essential part of ensuring that your property, both residential and commercial, remain safe and habitable. They lower the risk of electrical fires, among other hazards, and help you stay compliant with the law.
As a commercial property owner, you are responsible not just for your own but for others’ safety as well, which is why you must be mindful of commercial periodic inspections and the corresponding reports that follow.
Let’s look at what commercial periodic inspections and their reports are, why they are important, and how often they must be carried out.
A commercial periodic inspection checks the condition of an existing electrical installation on a commercial property to identify any faults and discrepancies that do not comply with the BS 7671 safety standards.
It must always be carried out by a registered electrician certified by the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC).
It includes checking for:
Two kinds of checks are carried out; a visual assessment and a Periodic Inspection Report (PIR). Let’s look at both in detail:
A visual inspection is done to identify any ‘visible’ signs of damage and defect and to reveal any areas that need attention.
These visible signs may include flickering lights, frequent circuit breaker trips, broken fixtures, loose outlets, frayed wires, discolouration near the switchboards, smoke, and weird odours.
As part of the inspection, the electrician will take down notes and a corresponding Visual Inspection Report (VIR) will be issued providing an overall general summary on the health of the wiring system.
COMMERCIAL PERIODIC INSPECTION REPORT (PIR)
A commercial Periodic Inspection Report (PIR), also known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), records the findings of the commercial periodic inspection.
It is more detailed than a VIR and typically takes around 3-4 hours to complete, depending on the size of the property and the number of components to be tested.
A commercial PIR identifies any damage or defects in the existing electrical installation for which improvements are then recommended.
It describes the overall condition of the installations as either satisfactory, with no corrective work required, or unsatisfactory with corrective work required to make the installations safe to use.
The unsatisfactory classification is further classified into codes 1-3 indicating the urgency of the action needed.
Once the report has been generated and the necessary corrective measures have been taken, an appropriate certificate is issued that confirms that the installations now comply with the BS 7671 safety regulations.
A commercial electrical inspection is used to check and learn all about the condition and overall health of the electrical installations on the property.
Trained NICEIC approved electrical contractors use commercial electrical inspection checklists (CEIC) as guides when performing these inspections to make them easier and more efficient.
CEICs provide clear and concise instructions, that can be applied to several electrical components, to follow during inspection to determine whether the current installation complies with safety regulations or not.
Quite obviously, these checklists must abide by the electrical safety laws laid out by the UK government and follow all the current legal standards.
To make the process easier to follow, these lists include different pointers related to each task with a brief explanation of what is required to be done. Each item on the checklist is also accompanied by a citation from the HSE wiring regulations.
There are different kinds of commercial electrical inspection checklists for various commercial settings such as offices, buildings, warehouses, factories, dockyards, hospitals, schools, and motors and vehicles, to name a few.
It is always best to consult with a qualified and NICEIC certified electrician to choose the best and most appropriate one for your commercial needs.
It is very important to renew your electrical safety certificate for your commercial property to stay compliant with the law.
It is a requirement under The Electricity of Work Act 1989 that as a business or commercial space, you must make sure that all the electrical installations are deemed safe for use by your employees and the public.
This is done by carrying out a routine check every year and a commercial periodic inspection report (PIR) at regular intervals dependant on use, which can range from 3-5 years.
The frequency of the PIR is dependent on several factors such as the:
The cost of a PIR depends on certain factors such as:
The total cost for commercial periodic inspection reports is based on the number of electrical circuits on the property with prices typically starting from £120 (excluding VAT).
A periodic electrical inspection is vital to your workplace and business for several reasons. They are:
According to the safety laws and regulations, it is your responsibility as a business owner to have all your electrical installations checked regularly for any signs of damage or defect. All electrical installations must comply with the BS 7671 wiring regulations that set the standard for electrical installations in the country.
Electrical installations and wiring deteriorate over time with constant wear and tear, making periodic inspections a necessity to identify any faults and fix them before they become a safety hazard.
Since periodic inspections help catch any faults and defects in the electrical system, you can fix them ASAP before they cause any substantial damage to you or your property.
Two such major faults are power surges and outages that can cause long-term damage to expensive business equipment such as computers and can cause them to either malfunction or stop working completely. The resulting repairing costs could be huge and unanticipated, causing a setback in the business’s budget.
Also, faulty and inadequate electrical installations could unnecessarily add to your electricity bill despite you not consuming that much power. Regular electrical inspections check all the areas and units to inspect and rectify any such issues.
Since all the major equipment of a business runs on electricity, power outages can result in some serious downtime with the employees and their work being adversely affected by it.
Unless there is a backup power source available, the employees might be unable to complete their tasks on time and may be required to work overtime to cover for the time lost.
Also, since most of the important information these days is digital and stored in computers, sudden power surges or outages might cause them to shut down unexpectedly, resulting in vital data being lost or corrupted, which is at times very difficult to recover.
Safety is probably the biggest benefit you can get out of regular electrical inspections, all other being secondary advantages.
Faulty wiring and installations can pose a serious threat to a business and the people in it. Electric shocks and burns are very common and in serious cases, they can cause sparks in the wiring resulting in fires. Fires are a common happening in both domestic and commercial settings, and according to statistics, electrical faults are one of the biggest reasons that they happen.
A thorough inspection carried out by a certified professional will guarantee that all your installations are always compliant with the law and that there are no safety risks associated with the electrical system.
The top causes for fires in the workplace are attributed to electrical faults and misuse of equipment. These fires put the property and its occupants at risk resulting in substantial losses.
As a commercial property owner, you must learn about all the ways you can keep your property safe from such risks. You must:
Most of the time, faulty installations and components show visible signs of an issue indicating the need for immediate action. You must keep a close check on your electrical system and keep an eye out for signs such as flickering lights, buzzing sounds, outlet discolouration, electric shocks, burning, and smoke.
You must not wait for these signs to turn into an electrical fire before you call someone to check your system. Fires are horrible and you would not want to experience one. Take our word for it.
If used improperly, electrical installations are likely to spark and burn leading to some serious safety hazards. There is a certain protocol that needs to be followed when using electrical equipment and everyone must be made aware of it.
Equipment that tends to heat up must be kept at a safe distance from each other and in a well-ventilated area, extension cords must not be overloaded with excess cords and wires, and all items that are not in use must be unplugged including all workstations at the end of the day.
Employees make up an integral part of a business and how they act and what they do directly affects it. If they are trained to focus on growth and productivity, they will work accordingly and help the business prosper.
Similarly, to practice good electrical safety in the workplace, it is crucial to have your employees on board. Conducting periodic electrical safety training and teaching them the best practices will help you immensely in the long-run in keeping you, them, and the business safe from electric hazards.
Periodic electrical inspections are a huge part of electrical safety in the workplace that helps your commercial property stay in a good and safe condition.
You must ensure that all your installations comply with the safety regulations and that the safety certificates are renewed every couple of years, depending on your use. The inspections must be carried out by an NICEIC approved electrical contractor who is well-versed with the safety regulations and knows how to abide by them.
Electrical inspections and maintenance are a vital part of any installation and must be carried out by a reliable electrical contractor. They should be done periodically to make sure your home, rental properties, workplace, and businesses are electrically safe, and to identify any hazards that could occur to prevent accidents, electric shocks, and fires.
We at Calder Electrical Services offer a wide range of services to meet the demands of our clients which include all aspects of domestic, commercial, and industrial testing and inspections.
We have experienced and fully qualified electrical engineers on hand to deliver a professional and high-quality service. All our work is fully insured and we work to meet the high standards set by the NICEIC.
Our testing and inspection services include:
Different testing services for your commercial property such as fault finding, in case you are facing issues such as tripping of circuits or lighting issues, through to commercial Periodic Inspection Reports (PIR) to help identify and prevent any accidents, electric shocks, or fires.
It is a requirement under the Electricity of Work Act 1989 that as a business or commercial space, you must make sure that the electrical installations are deemed safe for use by your employees and the public. This is done by carrying out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at regular intervals, which can range from 3-5 years.
A thorough visual assessment to identify any clear signs of damage along with a detailed PIR where each circuit is tested and inspected to make sure it is not deteriorating and is safe to use.
It is recommended in the wiring regulations BS 7671 that a domestic property must be regularly inspected and tested after an electrical installation every 5-10 years, or if you are buying/selling the property.
If you are currently private renting to a tenant, you will need to make sure that the electrical installations within the property are safe for use.
A Landlords Safety Certificate, which provides an electrical installation condition report to identify any issues and to make sure the property is safe for use and up to electrical standards and regulations, must be carried out every 5 years or whenever there is a change in occupancy.
Portable Appliance Testing tests items that are not part of the fixed wiring such as ovens, kettles, and microwaves, and so do not fall under the electrical testing of the premises, but it is recommended that they are tested between 3-12 months depending on the type and usage of the item.
Here at Calder Electrical Services, we offer a professional, friendly, and reliable service with high-quality standards so that our customers are 100% satisfied.
We have been undertaking electrical work since 1976 and have plenty of experience in all aspects of electrical work.
Get in touch with our experts right away to make all your electrical installations safe! Contact us here or call us on 0800 612 9799.
Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash
All electrical installations must go through periodic inspections to check for any faults and potential risks. They are prone to deteriorate over time causing issues along the way if left unchecked for too long, and can kill, injure, and cause serious property damage.
Periodic inspections are an essential part of ensuring that your property, both residential and commercial, remain safe and habitable. They lower the risk of electrical fires, among other hazards, and help you stay compliant with the law.
As a commercial property owner, you are responsible not just for your own but for others’ safety as well, which is why you must be mindful of commercial periodic inspections and the corresponding reports that follow.
Let’s look at what commercial periodic inspections and their reports are, why they are important, and how often they must be carried out.
A commercial periodic inspection checks the condition of an existing electrical installation on a commercial property to identify any faults and discrepancies that do not comply with the BS 7671 safety standards.
It must always be carried out by a registered electrician certified by the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC).
It includes checking for:
Two kinds of checks are carried out; a visual assessment and a Periodic Inspection Report (PIR). Let’s look at both in detail:
A visual inspection is done to identify any ‘visible’ signs of damage and defect and to reveal any areas that need attention.
These visible signs may include flickering lights, frequent circuit breaker trips, broken fixtures, loose outlets, frayed wires, discolouration near the switchboards, smoke, and weird odours.
As part of the inspection, the electrician will take down notes and a corresponding Visual Inspection Report (VIR) will be issued providing an overall general summary on the health of the wiring system.
COMMERCIAL PERIODIC INSPECTION REPORT (PIR)
A commercial Periodic Inspection Report (PIR), also known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), records the findings of the commercial periodic inspection.
It is more detailed than a VIR and typically takes around 3-4 hours to complete, depending on the size of the property and the number of components to be tested.
A commercial PIR identifies any damage or defects in the existing electrical installation for which improvements are then recommended.
It describes the overall condition of the installations as either satisfactory, with no corrective work required, or unsatisfactory with corrective work required to make the installations safe to use.
The unsatisfactory classification is further classified into codes 1-3 indicating the urgency of the action needed.
Once the report has been generated and the necessary corrective measures have been taken, an appropriate certificate is issued that confirms that the installations now comply with the BS 7671 safety regulations.
A commercial electrical inspection is used to check and learn all about the condition and overall health of the electrical installations on the property.
Trained NICEIC approved electrical contractors use commercial electrical inspection checklists (CEIC) as guides when performing these inspections to make them easier and more efficient.
CEICs provide clear and concise instructions, that can be applied to several electrical components, to follow during inspection to determine whether the current installation complies with safety regulations or not.
Quite obviously, these checklists must abide by the electrical safety laws laid out by the UK government and follow all the current legal standards.
To make the process easier to follow, these lists include different pointers related to each task with a brief explanation of what is required to be done. Each item on the checklist is also accompanied by a citation from the HSE wiring regulations.
There are different kinds of commercial electrical inspection checklists for various commercial settings such as offices, buildings, warehouses, factories, dockyards, hospitals, schools, and motors and vehicles, to name a few.
It is always best to consult with a qualified and NICEIC certified electrician to choose the best and most appropriate one for your commercial needs.
It is very important to renew your electrical safety certificate for your commercial property to stay compliant with the law.
It is a requirement under The Electricity of Work Act 1989 that as a business or commercial space, you must make sure that all the electrical installations are deemed safe for use by your employees and the public.
This is done by carrying out a routine check every year and a commercial periodic inspection report (PIR) at regular intervals dependant on use, which can range from 3-5 years.
The frequency of the PIR is dependent on several factors such as the:
The cost of a PIR depends on certain factors such as:
The total cost for commercial periodic inspection reports is based on the number of electrical circuits on the property with prices typically starting from £120 (excluding VAT).
A periodic electrical inspection is vital to your workplace and business for several reasons. They are:
According to the safety laws and regulations, it is your responsibility as a business owner to have all your electrical installations checked regularly for any signs of damage or defect. All electrical installations must comply with the BS 7671 wiring regulations that set the standard for electrical installations in the country.
Electrical installations and wiring deteriorate over time with constant wear and tear, making periodic inspections a necessity to identify any faults and fix them before they become a safety hazard.
Since periodic inspections help catch any faults and defects in the electrical system, you can fix them ASAP before they cause any substantial damage to you or your property.
Two such major faults are power surges and outages that can cause long-term damage to expensive business equipment such as computers and can cause them to either malfunction or stop working completely. The resulting repairing costs could be huge and unanticipated, causing a setback in the business’s budget.
Also, faulty and inadequate electrical installations could unnecessarily add to your electricity bill despite you not consuming that much power. Regular electrical inspections check all the areas and units to inspect and rectify any such issues.
Since all the major equipment of a business runs on electricity, power outages can result in some serious downtime with the employees and their work being adversely affected by it.
Unless there is a backup power source available, the employees might be unable to complete their tasks on time and may be required to work overtime to cover for the time lost.
Also, since most of the important information these days is digital and stored in computers, sudden power surges or outages might cause them to shut down unexpectedly, resulting in vital data being lost or corrupted, which is at times very difficult to recover.
Safety is probably the biggest benefit you can get out of regular electrical inspections, all other being secondary advantages.
Faulty wiring and installations can pose a serious threat to a business and the people in it. Electric shocks and burns are very common and in serious cases, they can cause sparks in the wiring resulting in fires. Fires are a common happening in both domestic and commercial settings, and according to statistics, electrical faults are one of the biggest reasons that they happen.
A thorough inspection carried out by a certified professional will guarantee that all your installations are always compliant with the law and that there are no safety risks associated with the electrical system.
The top causes for fires in the workplace are attributed to electrical faults and misuse of equipment. These fires put the property and its occupants at risk resulting in substantial losses.
As a commercial property owner, you must learn about all the ways you can keep your property safe from such risks. You must:
Most of the time, faulty installations and components show visible signs of an issue indicating the need for immediate action. You must keep a close check on your electrical system and keep an eye out for signs such as flickering lights, buzzing sounds, outlet discolouration, electric shocks, burning, and smoke.
You must not wait for these signs to turn into an electrical fire before you call someone to check your system. Fires are horrible and you would not want to experience one. Take our word for it.
If used improperly, electrical installations are likely to spark and burn leading to some serious safety hazards. There is a certain protocol that needs to be followed when using electrical equipment and everyone must be made aware of it.
Equipment that tends to heat up must be kept at a safe distance from each other and in a well-ventilated area, extension cords must not be overloaded with excess cords and wires, and all items that are not in use must be unplugged including all workstations at the end of the day.
Employees make up an integral part of a business and how they act and what they do directly affects it. If they are trained to focus on growth and productivity, they will work accordingly and help the business prosper.
Similarly, to practice good electrical safety in the workplace, it is crucial to have your employees on board. Conducting periodic electrical safety training and teaching them the best practices will help you immensely in the long-run in keeping you, them, and the business safe from electric hazards.
Periodic electrical inspections are a huge part of electrical safety in the workplace that helps your commercial property stay in a good and safe condition.
You must ensure that all your installations comply with the safety regulations and that the safety certificates are renewed every couple of years, depending on your use. The inspections must be carried out by an NICEIC approved electrical contractor who is well-versed with the safety regulations and knows how to abide by them.
Electrical inspections and maintenance are a vital part of any installation and must be carried out by a reliable electrical contractor. They should be done periodically to make sure your home, rental properties, workplace, and businesses are electrically safe, and to identify any hazards that could occur to prevent accidents, electric shocks, and fires.
We at Calder Electrical Services offer a wide range of services to meet the demands of our clients which include all aspects of domestic, commercial, and industrial testing and inspections.
We have experienced and fully qualified electrical engineers on hand to deliver a professional and high-quality service. All our work is fully insured and we work to meet the high standards set by the NICEIC.
Our testing and inspection services include:
Different testing services for your commercial property such as fault finding, in case you are facing issues such as tripping of circuits or lighting issues, through to commercial Periodic Inspection Reports (PIR) to help identify and prevent any accidents, electric shocks, or fires.
It is a requirement under the Electricity of Work Act 1989 that as a business or commercial space, you must make sure that the electrical installations are deemed safe for use by your employees and the public. This is done by carrying out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at regular intervals, which can range from 3-5 years.
A thorough visual assessment to identify any clear signs of damage along with a detailed PIR where each circuit is tested and inspected to make sure it is not deteriorating and is safe to use.
It is recommended in the wiring regulations BS 7671 that a domestic property must be regularly inspected and tested after an electrical installation every 5-10 years, or if you are buying/selling the property.
If you are currently private renting to a tenant, you will need to make sure that the electrical installations within the property are safe for use.
A Landlords Safety Certificate, which provides an electrical installation condition report to identify any issues and to make sure the property is safe for use and up to electrical standards and regulations, must be carried out every 5 years or whenever there is a change in occupancy.
Portable Appliance Testing tests items that are not part of the fixed wiring such as ovens, kettles, and microwaves, and so do not fall under the electrical testing of the premises, but it is recommended that they are tested between 3-12 months depending on the type and usage of the item.
Here at Calder Electrical Services, we offer a professional, friendly, and reliable service with high-quality standards so that our customers are 100% satisfied.
We have been undertaking electrical work since 1976 and have plenty of experience in all aspects of electrical work.
Get in touch with our experts right away to make all your electrical installations safe! Contact us here or call us on 0800 612 9799.
Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash
