Knowledge Base

So when is an inspection and test of an Electrical Installation required ? 

Scheduling  varies dependant on original or previous certification the property and ownership type, usage, age and any issues or faults  that are being seen, or prior to work such as upgrading a consumer unit. They may also be required for Insurance, mortgage lenders etc.

Below is a guide on the basic min recommended or statutory intervals.

Domestic:

• Private owned - Presale / Purchase, recommended 10 yearly.
• Rented - Houses/Flats/HMO - Every 3/5 Years and Annual Routine Checks.
• PAT of any portable appliances supplied by Landlords.

Commercial / Shops / Offices / Labs.

• ‍Change of Occupancy / Every 5 Years and Annual Routine Check.

Industrial

• Every 3 Years and Annual Routine Checks

What happens during a periodic electrical safety inspection?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) has key parts:

• Visual inspection of the installation and wiring
• Electrical testing to confirm the installation and identify any defects
• (Rented) A Portable Appliance Test (PAT) on any plugged in appliances that the landlord provides as part of a tenancy

An EICR will:

• ‍Record the results of the inspection and testing to make sure the electrical installation is safe
• Report any damage or wear and tear that might affect safety
• Find any parts of the electrical installation that do not meet the current regulations
• Help find anything that may cause electric shocks and high temperatures
• Provide a record of the installation at the time of the inspection

Once your electrical installation has been inspected and tested, We will provide you with a condition report detailing items requiring attention and recommendations using different classification codes:

• ‍C1 (Danger present) - Immediate remedial action required
• C2 (Potentially dangerous) -  Urgent remedial action required
• C3 (Improvement recommended)
• FI (Further investigation required)

If an EICR contains a C1, C2 or F1 code, it will be deemed unsatisfactory. If a C1 is discovered, we will take action to make safe the dangerous installation using temporary measures. Then, as with a C2, it will be the owner’s responsibility to organise remedial works.

We will discuss and clearly explain the outcome of the report, providing a satisfactory electrical certificate if the installation meets the required standard or at the customer’s request, provide a quotation for any remedial work that is required.

All inspection and testing is carried out in accordance with BS7671:2018 (2020 Amendment 1),IET Guidance Note 3 Inspection & Testing, &  IET In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment 5th Edition.

Electronic Reports generated and supplied on payment of invoice. 

Also as part of ongoing support schedule future inspections so you don't forget.

Landlords - discount for change of tenancy occupancy where I have carried out 5 year EICR.

Having fire detectors installed is not just for rented properties.In 2019-20 the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was called to attend over 24,000 fires which result in 27  fatalities and over 1000 injuries. Many of these deaths could have been prevented if people had has an early warning system in place.

New fire safety legislation within Scotland was introduced on 1st February 2019, this extends the already high standard of protection from fire and carbon monoxide. Private landlords were already required to protect tenants. Now, this new legislation will ensure all households, including social housing, are equally protected.

The Scottish Government is introducing revised regulations on smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms.

Legislation that was scheduled to come into effect in February 2021 meant the standard, which currently applies to private rented property and new-builds, would have been extended to all homes in Scotland.

Due to the practical difficulties likely to be faced by homeowners amid the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Scottish Government has moved implementation back to February 2022.

Homes will be required to have:

• Smoke alarms in every circulation space on each storey
• Smokes alarms in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes
• Heat alarm in the kitchen
• All heat and smoke alarms that are interlinked (either hardwired or via long-life battery operated Bluetooth units)
• A carbon monoxide detector where there is a fuel burning appliance or a flue (this does not require to be interlinked)

Electric Vehicle Charging (EV) is becoming more common place and will continue to do so as we move away from Fossil Fuels. There are, however, some important factors to consider if you are considering an electric vehicle and a charging point, whether in domestic or commercial properties. There are numerous websites including BEAMA where there are guides on the different types of charging methods and outlets.

People should also be aware of Electrical safety, for example using a Mode 2 (eg lead with a control box and standard 3 pin socket on the supply end (as supplied)) and plugging in to the same socket continually could cause damage to that socket and circuit wiring.  The socket should be upgraded to one that supports EV and ideally on its own circuit. (as per BS7671) by an electrician.

For most people this method will be ok, whilst taking a longer time to charge it will use less power, however, people will want faster charging, and this uses more power and different options for charging - these you will see on wall boxes and now getting more common in car parks and workplaces.

As an Electrician, there are a number of factors we need to consider in designing the installation of a dedicated charging unit, and this will need looked at as part of a site survey and risk assessment.

These include, the current installation and supplies, earthing, is there enough capacity in the property's electrical system,  location of the charging point to be installed, the type of system and manufacturer,  how cables and protection  will be installed, is permission needed from the DNO prior to installation etc..

Consumer units or fuse boxes provide safety controls, cutting of in event of defects and overloads to the  circuits in your home. These like everything are subject to wear, and there are also many that are still the older style Rewire-able or cartridge fuses.

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It's really important that you're aware of the condition of your unit and all the associated wiring and that it will function in the event of a fault. 

This will require an initial EICR to establish the condition of the electrical system

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Modern Consumer Units include additional protection in the form of an RCD (Residual Current Device). RCDs detect faults in an instant and are the best form of protection for your home both inside and outside in the garden.

There is also now Surge Protection and Arc Fault Detection devices which can provide other layers of protection.

Health and Safety Executive - One of best sites for all HSE Knowledge and Guidance

NetRegs - Scotland & NI Environmental Site - regulations and updates

Fire Scotland Advice

I have put links to some key websites for information, for Quality

Chartered Quality Institute

ISix Sigma - A good Striating point on aspects of improving processes with Lean and Six Sigma, some methodologies are good even in a small business or improvement project

BSI Case Studies on ISO9001 Implementation in SME's

|Implementing a management systems such as ISO9001 can appear a massive task,. However, with the right planning. using the guidance and principles of the standard it can be seamless. The key steps in working with any business are as follows: 

1. Familiarise Yourself with ISO 9001.
2. Get Commitment, Leadership and support from senior management.
3. Communicate with the rest of the business and establish an implementation team.
4. Gap Analysis - Compare and map out your existing quality and any other systems and standards you already work to with ISO 9001 requirements.
5. Plan everything out for Implementation.
6. Identify Responsibilities, Policies, and Objectives.
7. Develop the required Process Description's and Documentation.
8. Launch your Quality Management System with Communications and Training.
9. Internal Audit to review Performance.
10. Assess and Register for Certification. (UKAS Accredited Body)
11. Celebrate Success.
12. Keep up the Good Work and Continual Improvement.

ISO 9001 along with the other aligned standards such as ISO14001 and ISO45001 are based on a methodology of risk based thinking. Identifying what matters for your business and customer success. Planning and putting in place the understanding, systems and practices to prevent errors happening through out the chain, from a customer order to completion and after sales service.

I have also put some links below to Quality Related sites, including case studies on the BSI website. There are many sites and advice on internet, however, not all will have worked with different size and types of business and help develop a system that matches what they do and what works, and don't part money for off the shelf systems.

Training tailored to suit the business, especially, for example,  as part of implementation following review and analysis of the business and get engagement and  understanding so teams can contribute and take ownership.

1. Introduction What is ISO9001 - its history and why do we use.
2. Key terms, Plan Do Check Act, Risk Based Thinking & the 7 Management Principles
3. Look at the individual parts of ISO9001 and what they mean throughout the  business.
4. Steps to implement a QMS.
5. Internal Auditing & what to expect and prepare for external auditors.
6. Ongoing monitoring, improvement and non-conformance handling.

Health and Safety Executive - One of best sites for all HSE Knowledge and Guidance NetRegs - Scotland & NI Environmental Site - regulations and updates 

Fire Scotland Advice

Chartered Quality Institute

ISix Sigma - A good Striating point on aspects of improving processes with Lean and Six Sigma, some methodologies are good even in a small business or improvement project

BSI Case Studies on ISO9001 Implementation in SME's