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A well-installed electrical system is one of the most important aspects of a commercial property. Whether it is an office space, a shop, a retail store, or a rental, the importance of a properly functioning electrical system cannot be overstated.
Commercial electrical installation differs from residential electrical installation. The latter focuses on homes and smaller residential buildings, while the former involves more complex installations in offices, retail spaces, and other commercial settings. Planning for a commercial electrical installation requires comparatively more focused planning and coordination to ensure all the work follows local building codes and electrical safety standards.
Read on to find out all about how to plan an electrical installation for a commercial property, the electrical layout for offices, shop fit-out electrics, and landlord electrical work:
Before we delve into the process of planning an electrical installation for commercial properties, it is important to acquaint oneself with the legal and safety responsibilities to ensure a safe, reliable, and efficient electrical system.
The primary piece of legislation that governs electrical safety in commercial spaces is the Electricity at Work Act 1989. It aims to protect people from the risks of electrical hazards at the workplace and ensures that the electrical installations and equipment are designed, installed, and maintained in accordance with the relevant electrical safety standards.
The wiring regulations BS 7671 are the industry standard for electrical installations and wiring regulations in the UK. Their main purpose is to ensure the safety of the electrical systems and protect both people and property from electricity-related hazards such as shocks and fires. They put special emphasis on the proper selection and installation of the electrical wiring as it forms the basis of a healthy electrical system.
The UK has a strict set of guidelines and regulations when it comes to electrical work and installations. Compliance with these regulations is mandatory to minimise the risk of electricity-related accidents and injuries. To ensure everything is compliant and up to code, it is best to hire a qualified NICEIC-approved electrician to carry out all the electrical installations on the commercial property.
Proper installation of commercial electrical systems is important for several reasons, the biggest one being safety. Faulty wiring and poorly installed electrical components can lead to electrical hazards and fires and cause accidents, injuries, and in serious cases, even death.
Both the owners as well as the landlords of commercial properties in the UK have a legal responsibility to ensure that all the electrical installations are safe, efficient, reliable, well-maintained, and compliant with electrical safety regulations. Non-compliance can result in fines or legal issues, which can adversely affect a business’s operations and reputation.
As a landlord of a commercial property, you must carry out all the necessary electrical checks and inspections before renting out your property and retain the documentary evidence in the form of a certificate that can be shown to future tenants as proof of regulatory compliance.
Landlords must make sure that the electrical system on the property is safe, which includes the wiring, consumer unit, circuits, sockets, and light fittings, as well as all the portable appliances on the property, for example, the printers, kettles, microwaves, and any other electrical equipment provided for the tenant’s use.
As per the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2020, which came into force on 1 June 2020, landlords are required to have the electrical installations in their rented properties inspected and tested by a competent person.
These regulations make it mandatory for all landlords to:
INITIAL ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING
The main purpose of a commercial electrical installation is to supply power to businesses and commercial properties to run their day-to-day operations. This includes wiring, lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and operating appliances and machinery.
When planning for an electrical installation for a commercial property, the initial stage is crucial for a successful result. This phase includes a detailed assessment of the commercial property’s electrical needs, with special consideration given to the size and type of the property, the number of occupants in the building, the nature of the work being carried out, and the type of equipment used.
The total power requirement of the property is determined by performing an electrical load calculation in order to ensure that the electrical system can handle the electrical load, even at peak usage, without causing any issues such as circuit overloading or disruption of power.
Whether it’s an office space, a retail store, or any other commercial property, a detailed assessment is conducted to evaluate the existing infrastructure and create an electrical plan that aligns with the property’s energy needs and requirements. It allows the property owners and technicians to create a customised plan suitable for the commercial property’s unique electrical needs.
This phase also requires close coordination and collaboration with the property designers, architects, engineers, and plumbers to create an integrated electrical plan that seamlessly works with the rest of the building and its systems. Proper planning ensures that the electrical installation process is smooth, safe, cost-effective, and perfectly tailored to the property’s needs.
In addition to that, the initial assessment and planning include budgeting and a timeline estimation with realistic goals to help align the project with the final goal. Discussing all these matters at the start of the project is a smart way to ensure everything goes according to plan and within the set budget.
Once you have a clear understanding of the scope of the project and its design and budgetary requirements, it is time to get on to designing the electrical layout of the commercial property. An electrical layout is an extensive electrical plan that consists of detailed electrical drawings and schematics showing all the electrical installations, including the layout of the wiring, circuits, panels, and electrical appliances and equipment.
Apart from the electrical drawings, creating a layout involves other important elements such as load calculations, creating detailed specifications for the electrical materials and tools to be used for the project, and, of course, coordination with other building systems to avoid any potential conflicts and issues.
Commercial spaces, such as offices, have different electrical requirements compared to residential spaces. When planning an electrical installation and creating an electrical layout for offices, you need to keep in mind that these places generally require more energy, their maintenance costs are higher, and there is a need for constant operation of electrical equipment and machinery.
The electrical layout for offices is an important part of creating a functional, safe, and efficient workspace where all the electrical installations and equipment operate smoothly. A well-planned electrical system contributes not only to the safety of the office but also fosters efficiency and productivity.
Whether you are setting up a new office space or upgrading an existing one, crafting a detailed electrical plan and layout is of utmost importance. It helps immensely with the installation and execution of the electrical system and allows room for integrations and upgrades as the need arises.
The electrical layout of an office encompasses several key components that work in harmony to create a flawless electrical system that supports the office’s operations and growth. It is important to keep in mind the common electrical hazards in offices and plan the layout to minimise said hazards. Some of the most common issues include overheated electrical equipment, overloaded outlets, and the use of extension leads.
To ensure a good installation that meets the electrical requirements and is compliant with safety standards, it is best to hire a NICEIC-approved electrician who understands the electrical systems and has the required skill and expertise to conduct a seamless installation.
Some important considerations to keep in mind when creating an electrical layout for an office include:
An electrical fit-out is a thorough process that involves the installation of the electrical infrastructure required to power the lighting, HVAC systems, emergency systems, and other electrical equipment and appliances. It is a critical phase that prepares any commercial space for its operations and turns a space into a fully functional office, workspace, retail store, or shop.
An electrical fit-out includes all aspects of an electrical installation (first fix and second fix) and is an incredibly important step in turning a new or existing commercial property into a safe, functional, and efficient work environment tailored to its specific needs.
Every commercial property has varying electrical needs based on its size and nature. An office space has different electrical requirements than a cafe, and a salon has different electrical needs than a shop. The goal, however, is the same for all: to create a safe, efficient, and reliable electrical system that powers the property, supports its operations, helps lower costs, and complies with electrical safety regulations.
When planning an electrical fit-out for a shop, several key components play a big part in how well the electrical system operates:
Wiring and electrical installations are tasks that require a certain skill set to be performed successfully. When hiring an electrician to plan and conduct a full electrical installation for your commercial property, make sure that they are fully certified, qualified, and that they understand your requirements.
At Calder Electrical, we have been providing electrical services to residential, commercial, and industrial properties for over 40 years and are specialists in all aspects of electrical installations, maintenance, and testing.
All our work is fully insured, and we work to meet the standards set by the NICEIC to make sure all your electrical installations meet the current regulations, and all the notifiable work is signed off by the local authorities.
If you have unplanned issues within your home or business, we can provide a call-out service to rectify and solve any problems, such as circuit tripping, loss of power, broken items that need repairing, or to check if you feel something is unsafe or a potential hazard.
Our team can generate a Visual Inspection Report (VIR) to identify anything visual that does not comply with the standards or looks unsafe, as well as a full Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) where we will identify and test each circuit to make sure they are not deteriorating and are safe for use within the current standards and regulations set by the BS 7671.
We can also provide PAT testing of appliances to make sure that any items such as kettles, computers, and microwaves are safe for use in the home and workplace.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 3001 to get in touch with our professional electricians for more information on how to plan an electrical installation for a commercial property, electrical layout for offices, shop fit-out electrics, and landlord electrical work.
Photo by LYCS Architecture on Unsplash
