Periodic Testing & Inspecting
All electrical installations require regular checks, to make sure the electrical installation remains safe to use, and will not present a danger to anyone or cause fires. These checks are called periodic test & inspections, or ( PIR's ) periodic inspection reports.
Different types of buildings or circumstances require more frequent checks than others. A domestic installation for example, should be checked every 10 years or change of occupancy or change of use. As the installation ages, more frequent checks will be required. After a test & inspection the inspector will put a new sticker on the consumer unit, stating the next test date they recommend.
Below is information on when Periodic test & inspections should take place
Frequencies between periodic test & inspections taken from
the IEE Inspection & Testing Guidance note 3
BS 7671 Requirements for electrical installations
The information can be viewed at any library
or a copy bought from most book shops
| Type of installation | Routine check sub-clause 3.5 | Maximum period between inspections and testing as necessary | Reference (see notes below) |
General Installations Domestic Commercial Education establishments Hospitals Industrial Residential accomodation Offices Shops Laboratories | ------------ 1 year 4 months 1 year 1 year at change of occupancy or 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year | Change of occupancy or 10 years change of occupancy or 5 years 5 years 5 years 3 years 5 years 5 years 5 years 5 years | 1,2 1,2 1,2 1,2 1 1,2 1,2 1,2 1,2 |
Open to the public Cinemas Church installations Leisure complexes excluding swimming pools Places of public entertainment Restaurants & hotels Theatres Public houses Village halls/community centres | 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year | 3 years 5 years 3 years 3 years 5 years 3 years 5 years 5 years | 2,6,7 2 1,2,6 1,2,6 1,2,6 2,6,7 1,2,6 1,2 |
Special installations Agricultural and horticultural Caravans Caravan parks Highway power supplies Marinas Fish farms Swimming pools Emergency Lighting Fire alarms Launderettes Petrol filling stations Construction sites | 1 year 1 year 6 months as convenient 4 months 4 months 4 months Daily/monthly Daily/weekly/month 1 year 1 year 3 months | 3 years 3 years 1 year 6 years 1 year 1 year 1 year 3 years 1 year 1 year 1 year 3 months | 1,2 1,2,6 1,2 1,2 1,2,6 2,3,4 2,4,5 1,2,6 1,2,6 1,2 |
Reference notes
1. Particular attention must be taken to comply with SI 1998 No 1057. The Electricity Supply Regulations 1998
(as amended).
2. SI 1989 No 635. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (Regulation 4 & Memorandum).
3. See BS 5266: Part 1: 1988 Code of practice for emergency lighting of premises other than cinemas and certian
other specified premises used for entertainment.
4. Other intervals are recommended for testing operation of batteries and generators.
5. See BS 5839: Part 1: 1988 code of practice for system design installation and servicing (fire detection and alarm
systems for buildings).
6. Local Authority Conditions of licence.
7. SI 1995 No 1129 (clause 27) The Cinematography (safety) Regulations.
When a periodic test & inspection is completed on an installation, all faults found must be put in writing and given to the person who requested the test. The electrical report will show, if the installation has faults and what they are. Each fault is graded as a code, code 1 faults require urgent attention as there is a danger present, code 2 faults there is a potential danger, code 3 there is further investigation required, code 4 means that part of the installation is not to current regulations.
Only electricians assessed by NAPIT and have indemnity insurance are allowed to complete periodic test & inspections. Where as other organizations allow anyone who works within a company, but have a member who is the qualifying manager who checks the certificates. Each type of certificate has a number of pages, you must have all the pages of the certificate, or it is deemed null and void. Every certificate is a legal document, that is traceable to each company, and will help you in cases of bad workmanship or negligence.
If you would like to book a periodic test & inspection or require our services, please fill out the form below.
Please state your requirements and as much information as possible, and we will get back to you.
Always check your electrician is part P registered
and they issue a certificate on completion