Table of Contents
Electricity is an integral part of the daily operations in commercial properties, without which it would be difficult to carry out even the smallest of tasks.
Regardless of the kind of industry you are in, a reliable and safe electrical system is necessary and is one of the basic parts of the infrastructure of a building.
Due to its increased dependence and ease of availability, electricity can sometimes be taken for granted. However, it is important to remember that electrical systems can be highly dangerous, especially if not maintained properly.
If installed correctly, they can be safe and reliable to use, but to ensure they don’t turn into a potential hazard, it is mandatory to maintain and test them regularly.
Read on to find out why electrical maintenance is necessary for commercial properties and what you can do to ensure your electrical systems are properly maintained:
If you own or operate a commercial property, you must know how important it is to keep your electrical installations up and running and safe at all times.
Electrical maintenance must be carried out regularly and here’s why:
As discussed above, electricity is necessary for the smooth execution of day-to-day operations since all the machines, appliances, and outlets depend on a well-maintained electrical system.
The electrical installations need to be safe and reliable to ensure that all electrical equipment is safe to use, to extend its lifespan, and to prevent any mishaps from occurring.
As a commercial property owner, it is one of your most important responsibilities to keep your property safe for your employees, clients, tenants, and visitors, and a well-maintained electrical system is a very important part of achieving that goal.
Issues with the electrical system can lead to unsafe situations such as injuries, shocks, and burns, and in serious cases, they may also lead to electrical fires which may not just put your property at risk but also the people inside it.
Even when your electrical system seems to be working fine, there may be major problems developing that you may be completely unaware of.
Through regular maintenance checks and thorough inspections, professional electricians can identify small problems before they become a huge issue, and due to early diagnosis, they are also able to troubleshoot the issues before they turn into a safety hazard.
Electrical systems tend to develop issues that may cause the electrical equipment to consume more or less power than it is supposed to use in order to operate smoothly.
These unnoticeable issues may not just have a huge impact on your energy bills but may also seriously damage expensive equipment.
Maintenance checks help eliminate these issues that may be costing you and help you save money in the long run by preventing damage to equipment while also saving on your energy consumption.
All electrical installations deteriorate with time and prolonged use, and require maintenance and servicing on a regular basis as recommended in the British Standard wiring regulations.
A well-maintained electrical system is achieved by carrying out safety checks, also commonly referred to as periodic inspection and testing that consist of visual inspections to full electrical testing.
Periodic inspection and testing must be carried out only by competent persons, such as registered electricians, who check the current electrics against BS 7671, the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations.
Periodic inspections are carried out to check for:
In addition to checking the wiring and electrical installations, tests are also carried out to check the fixed electrical equipment and to ensure that they are safe to use.
A visual inspection is a basic check carried out by certified electricians to identify any visible signs of damage, defects, or deterioration.
It includes checking all the consumer units, sockets, plugs, light fittings and switches, electrical cables and leads, extension leads, earthing and bonding, and any visible signs of wear and tear and burning or scorching.
Complete access is given to the electrician who checks every area of your commercial property and depending on the size of your commercial property, it can take around 1 hour to complete.
Notes are taken as part of the visual inspection, at the end of which a Visual Inspection Report (VIR) is issued that details all the findings of the inspection including the number of observations and recommendations, and an overall summary of the condition of the electrical installations.
It is a requirement under The Electricity at Work Act 1989 that as a business or commercial space, you must make sure the electrical installations are deemed safe for use by your employees and the public, which is done by carrying out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at regular intervals.
An electrical installation condition report (EICR) is more detailed than a VIR and is done to identify any damages, defects, or deterioration that may turn into potential hazards.
It involves the testing of various circuits and allows the electrician to identify any hidden issues that could not be identified during a VIR.
The purpose of an EICR is to determine whether the current electrical installations are satisfactory for continued use or not and the findings come in handy when selling off a commercial property.
Depending on the size of your property and the number of circuits to be tested, an EICR takes around 3 to 4 hours to complete and must be conducted every 3 to 5 years.
If you are a landlord, you must ensure that your rented commercial property is safe for use and up to electrical standards and regulations, which is why the inspections must be carried out every 5 years or whenever there is a change in occupancy.
An EICR provides a detailed summary of the condition of the electrics in your commercial property and whether they comply with the current British Standards for electrical safety.
In addition to recording several observations, an EICR also makes recommendations where improvements may be required for safety.
After the EICR is completed, you will receive a certificate and codes outlining the overall condition of your electrical installation
The classification codes are:
Portable appliance testing (PAT) is a routine inspection to test items that are not part of the fixed wiring and do not fall under the electrical testing of the premises.
It is carried out to ensure that all electrical appliances are safe to use and do not pose a hazard for their users.
As with visual inspections and detailed testing, PAT testing is also carried out by a competent and registered professional who has in-depth knowledge about safety standards.
There is no legal requirement to carry out the tests but the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that commercial property owners must carry them out regularly between 3 to 12 months depending on the type and use of the appliance.
Current UK legislation states that all commercial property owners have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their employees and the public and to maintain their electrical equipment to ensure that it remains in a safe condition.
PAT testing is one of the most effective ways to do this, especially for large and high-risk buildings, which is why despite not being a legal requirement, PAT testing has become a standard way of fulfilling this responsibility.
The penalty for not upholding this responsibility can be as high as 2 years imprisonment and unlimited fines, depending on the severity of the situation.
A full PAT test includes both a visual inspection and an in-depth check using special PAT testing equipment.
Electrical equipment is divided into three classes – Class 1, 2, or 3 – with Class 1 being the most dangerous and Class 3 being the least.
Class 1 appliances require full PAT testing and have basic insulation that relies on earth fault protection. Examples include industrial machinery, photocopiers, desktop computers, fridges, freezers, and electric heaters.
Class 2 appliances require a PAT insulation test and have extra insulation making them safer than Class 1 appliances. Examples include desktop printers, televisions, and lamps.
Class 3 appliances are low-voltage items and may not need to be PAT tested at all. However, their charging leads may have to be tested. Examples include laptops, mobile phone chargers, and cameras.
In addition to the risk level of the working environment and the electrical class and category of the appliance, there are a few other things that need to be taken into consideration when carrying out PAT testing. They include:
In addition to having your electrical installations checked by a professional electrician, you must ensure that you and your employees, customers, tenants, and visitors practice good electrical safety.
There are a few things that you can do to prevent electrical accidents and injuries from taking place and they include:
Instead of just relying on a professional inspection, you can conduct your own visual inspection to keep an eye out for visible signs of damage
Some very obvious signs of an underlying electrical issue include flickering lights, cracked wall outlets, discoloured outlets, sparks or buzzing sounds, and burning smells.
Extensions cords are extremely convenient and can be the go-to for many commercial properties. However, as much as they provide convenience, they are also responsible for electric shocks and fires, especially if they are overloaded.
Extension cords plugged into another extension cord is also a fairly common practice that must be stopped immediately.
Instead of relying on them, you must have a professional electrician install as many wall outlets as possible.
Different electrical appliances require different levels of power and have varying electricity consumption. For example, an air-conditioner uses much more electricity than an LED bulb.
One way to regulate power surges, which may lead to accidents, injuries, and fires, is to install designated circuit breakers to handle different groups of fixtures and appliances so that they trip every time there is extra current.
Normal tripping of circuit breakers is okay since that’s what they are designed to do when the system experiences overloading. However, if it happens too frequently, it is a clear indicator of a serious problem with the electrical wiring and needs to be checked ASAP.
It is best practice to turn off all appliances and fixtures, including all the lights, computers, and machinery, when they are not in use, especially before heading out for the day.
Leaving equipment and fixtures turned on overnight can make them susceptible to power surges causing them to malfunction and, in serious cases, start electrical fires.
Since at night most commercial properties are empty, it is best to not take the risk and turn off everything, and even though it may seem like a hassle, it is for everyone’s safety.
Also, for added safety, invest in a good fire alarm with professional monitoring services that will help detect the earliest signs of a fire and prevent it from causing damage and harm to both life and property.
A commercial electrician has expertise in dealing with electrical installations in commercial buildings such as offices, restaurants, shopping centres, and retail stores, and their typical tasks include common electrical installations and repair, and working on lighting, heating, and general building requirements.
It is best to consult with them when it comes to the right installation and maintenance of your electrical systems since they have the necessary training and expertise, along with lots of experience working in the field.
They always put safety first and are well-versed with the rules and regulations governing electrical installations in commercial properties.
In addition to that, their work is also fully insured and they can provide you with the correct certifications at the end of an inspection.
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.
We have experienced and fully qualified electrical engineers on hand to deliver a professional and high-quality service and are NICEIC registered following the current wiring regulations.
If you have unplanned issues within your home or business, we can provide a call out service to rectify and solve any problems. Anything from circuits 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 on 0800 612 3001 to talk to our certified team of electricians right away!
Electricity is an integral part of the daily operations in commercial properties, without which it would be difficult to carry out even the smallest of tasks.
Regardless of the kind of industry you are in, a reliable and safe electrical system is necessary and is one of the basic parts of the infrastructure of a building.
Due to its increased dependence and ease of availability, electricity can sometimes be taken for granted. However, it is important to remember that electrical systems can be highly dangerous, especially if not maintained properly.
If installed correctly, they can be safe and reliable to use, but to ensure they don’t turn into a potential hazard, it is mandatory to maintain and test them regularly.
Read on to find out why electrical maintenance is necessary for commercial properties and what you can do to ensure your electrical systems are properly maintained:
If you own or operate a commercial property, you must know how important it is to keep your electrical installations up and running and safe at all times.
Electrical maintenance must be carried out regularly and here’s why:
As discussed above, electricity is necessary for the smooth execution of day-to-day operations since all the machines, appliances, and outlets depend on a well-maintained electrical system.
The electrical installations need to be safe and reliable to ensure that all electrical equipment is safe to use, to extend its lifespan, and to prevent any mishaps from occurring.
As a commercial property owner, it is one of your most important responsibilities to keep your property safe for your employees, clients, tenants, and visitors, and a well-maintained electrical system is a very important part of achieving that goal.
Issues with the electrical system can lead to unsafe situations such as injuries, shocks, and burns, and in serious cases, they may also lead to electrical fires which may not just put your property at risk but also the people inside it.
Even when your electrical system seems to be working fine, there may be major problems developing that you may be completely unaware of.
Through regular maintenance checks and thorough inspections, professional electricians can identify small problems before they become a huge issue, and due to early diagnosis, they are also able to troubleshoot the issues before they turn into a safety hazard.
Electrical systems tend to develop issues that may cause the electrical equipment to consume more or less power than it is supposed to use in order to operate smoothly.
These unnoticeable issues may not just have a huge impact on your energy bills but may also seriously damage expensive equipment.
Maintenance checks help eliminate these issues that may be costing you and help you save money in the long run by preventing damage to equipment while also saving on your energy consumption.
All electrical installations deteriorate with time and prolonged use, and require maintenance and servicing on a regular basis as recommended in the British Standard wiring regulations.
A well-maintained electrical system is achieved by carrying out safety checks, also commonly referred to as periodic inspection and testing that consist of visual inspections to full electrical testing.
Periodic inspection and testing must be carried out only by competent persons, such as registered electricians, who check the current electrics against BS 7671, the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations.
Periodic inspections are carried out to check for:
In addition to checking the wiring and electrical installations, tests are also carried out to check the fixed electrical equipment and to ensure that they are safe to use.
A visual inspection is a basic check carried out by certified electricians to identify any visible signs of damage, defects, or deterioration.
It includes checking all the consumer units, sockets, plugs, light fittings and switches, electrical cables and leads, extension leads, earthing and bonding, and any visible signs of wear and tear and burning or scorching.
Complete access is given to the electrician who checks every area of your commercial property and depending on the size of your commercial property, it can take around 1 hour to complete.
Notes are taken as part of the visual inspection, at the end of which a Visual Inspection Report (VIR) is issued that details all the findings of the inspection including the number of observations and recommendations, and an overall summary of the condition of the electrical installations.
It is a requirement under The Electricity at Work Act 1989 that as a business or commercial space, you must make sure the electrical installations are deemed safe for use by your employees and the public, which is done by carrying out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at regular intervals.
An electrical installation condition report (EICR) is more detailed than a VIR and is done to identify any damages, defects, or deterioration that may turn into potential hazards.
It involves the testing of various circuits and allows the electrician to identify any hidden issues that could not be identified during a VIR.
The purpose of an EICR is to determine whether the current electrical installations are satisfactory for continued use or not and the findings come in handy when selling off a commercial property.
Depending on the size of your property and the number of circuits to be tested, an EICR takes around 3 to 4 hours to complete and must be conducted every 3 to 5 years.
If you are a landlord, you must ensure that your rented commercial property is safe for use and up to electrical standards and regulations, which is why the inspections must be carried out every 5 years or whenever there is a change in occupancy.
An EICR provides a detailed summary of the condition of the electrics in your commercial property and whether they comply with the current British Standards for electrical safety.
In addition to recording several observations, an EICR also makes recommendations where improvements may be required for safety.
After the EICR is completed, you will receive a certificate and codes outlining the overall condition of your electrical installation
The classification codes are:
Portable appliance testing (PAT) is a routine inspection to test items that are not part of the fixed wiring and do not fall under the electrical testing of the premises.
It is carried out to ensure that all electrical appliances are safe to use and do not pose a hazard for their users.
As with visual inspections and detailed testing, PAT testing is also carried out by a competent and registered professional who has in-depth knowledge about safety standards.
There is no legal requirement to carry out the tests but the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that commercial property owners must carry them out regularly between 3 to 12 months depending on the type and use of the appliance.
Current UK legislation states that all commercial property owners have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their employees and the public and to maintain their electrical equipment to ensure that it remains in a safe condition.
PAT testing is one of the most effective ways to do this, especially for large and high-risk buildings, which is why despite not being a legal requirement, PAT testing has become a standard way of fulfilling this responsibility.
The penalty for not upholding this responsibility can be as high as 2 years imprisonment and unlimited fines, depending on the severity of the situation.
A full PAT test includes both a visual inspection and an in-depth check using special PAT testing equipment.
Electrical equipment is divided into three classes – Class 1, 2, or 3 – with Class 1 being the most dangerous and Class 3 being the least.
Class 1 appliances require full PAT testing and have basic insulation that relies on earth fault protection. Examples include industrial machinery, photocopiers, desktop computers, fridges, freezers, and electric heaters.
Class 2 appliances require a PAT insulation test and have extra insulation making them safer than Class 1 appliances. Examples include desktop printers, televisions, and lamps.
Class 3 appliances are low-voltage items and may not need to be PAT tested at all. However, their charging leads may have to be tested. Examples include laptops, mobile phone chargers, and cameras.
In addition to the risk level of the working environment and the electrical class and category of the appliance, there are a few other things that need to be taken into consideration when carrying out PAT testing. They include:
In addition to having your electrical installations checked by a professional electrician, you must ensure that you and your employees, customers, tenants, and visitors practice good electrical safety.
There are a few things that you can do to prevent electrical accidents and injuries from taking place and they include:
Instead of just relying on a professional inspection, you can conduct your own visual inspection to keep an eye out for visible signs of damage
Some very obvious signs of an underlying electrical issue include flickering lights, cracked wall outlets, discoloured outlets, sparks or buzzing sounds, and burning smells.
Extensions cords are extremely convenient and can be the go-to for many commercial properties. However, as much as they provide convenience, they are also responsible for electric shocks and fires, especially if they are overloaded.
Extension cords plugged into another extension cord is also a fairly common practice that must be stopped immediately.
Instead of relying on them, you must have a professional electrician install as many wall outlets as possible.
Different electrical appliances require different levels of power and have varying electricity consumption. For example, an air-conditioner uses much more electricity than an LED bulb.
One way to regulate power surges, which may lead to accidents, injuries, and fires, is to install designated circuit breakers to handle different groups of fixtures and appliances so that they trip every time there is extra current.
Normal tripping of circuit breakers is okay since that’s what they are designed to do when the system experiences overloading. However, if it happens too frequently, it is a clear indicator of a serious problem with the electrical wiring and needs to be checked ASAP.
It is best practice to turn off all appliances and fixtures, including all the lights, computers, and machinery, when they are not in use, especially before heading out for the day.
Leaving equipment and fixtures turned on overnight can make them susceptible to power surges causing them to malfunction and, in serious cases, start electrical fires.
Since at night most commercial properties are empty, it is best to not take the risk and turn off everything, and even though it may seem like a hassle, it is for everyone’s safety.
Also, for added safety, invest in a good fire alarm with professional monitoring services that will help detect the earliest signs of a fire and prevent it from causing damage and harm to both life and property.
A commercial electrician has expertise in dealing with electrical installations in commercial buildings such as offices, restaurants, shopping centres, and retail stores, and their typical tasks include common electrical installations and repair, and working on lighting, heating, and general building requirements.
It is best to consult with them when it comes to the right installation and maintenance of your electrical systems since they have the necessary training and expertise, along with lots of experience working in the field.
They always put safety first and are well-versed with the rules and regulations governing electrical installations in commercial properties.
In addition to that, their work is also fully insured and they can provide you with the correct certifications at the end of an inspection.
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.
We have experienced and fully qualified electrical engineers on hand to deliver a professional and high-quality service and are NICEIC registered following the current wiring regulations.
If you have unplanned issues within your home or business, we can provide a call out service to rectify and solve any problems. Anything from circuits 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 on 0800 612 3001 to talk to our certified team of electricians right away!
