| The Periodic Inspection and Testing of an electrical | | | | installation can put added strain on an already |
| installation has been recognised as an essential | | | | heavily loaded system thus leading to possible |
| part of ensuring compliance with the requirements | | | | breakdown, premature failure and in severe cases |
| of The Electricity At Work Regulations 1989. | | | | even fire. |
| As most electrical installations suffer damage and | | | | With the introduction of the Electricity At Work |
| deterioration throughout their operational life an | | | | Regulations 1989 it has now become the legal |
| electrical inspection and test will be required to | | | | responsibility of the owner (or the owners |
| confirm the safe operation of the installed | | | | nominated person) of the electrical installation to |
| installation. | | | | prevent electrical accidents. The regulations call for |
| The decision for the inspection and test to take | | | | all electrical systems and apparatus which are, or |
| place is usually instigated by a company assessing | | | | may be, attached to the electrical installation, to |
| their Health and Safety policy. As it is a | | | | be maintained in a safe condition so that users |
| requirement of the Health and Safety At Work | | | | may be protected from electrical shock or fire |
| Act 1974 that electrical systems installed in places | | | | hazards. |
| of work comply with the requirements of The | | | | Regulation 4 (2) of the Electricity At Work |
| Electricity At Work Regulations 1989, more | | | | Regulations 1989 requires that all systems and |
| companies are introducing people and procedures | | | | apparatus are maintained where this will prevent |
| to ensure that the company, where reasonably | | | | danger. The prime method to accurately decide |
| practicable, introduce a Proactive Maintenance | | | | when maintenance is necessary to prevent |
| Programme and thus creates a safe working | | | | danger, is to perform regular inspections and |
| environment. | | | | tests; consequently it can be construed that there |
| Most electrical installations are designed and | | | | is a legal requirement to inspect and test. To |
| constructed to a very high standard. But once the | | | | ensure the fixed wiring system is and continues |
| installation is in operation and under the control of | | | | to function correctly and safely, it is essential that |
| the owner problems can occur due to the | | | | an inspection and test is completed. |
| following:a) on a change of ownership or tenancy | | | | Some premises require electrical inspection and |
| of the premisesb) on a change of use of the | | | | testing to take place on a regular basis and in |
| premisesc) after alterations or additions to the | | | | some cases the electrical inspection and test is |
| original installationd) because of any significant | | | | mandatory. Mandatory inspection and testing is |
| change in the electrical loading of the installatione) | | | | usually a requirement of a local authority or forms |
| where there is reason to believe that damage | | | | part of the conditions required to be fulfilled for |
| may have been caused to the installation. | | | | licensing purposes. |
| The extension and modification of an existing | | | | |