Question 1

What is a periodic inspection report?

Accepted Answer

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal method of recording the findings of the periodic inspection, on at least seven pages.
The main purpose of a EICR is to report on the safety condition of an existing installation. Box E on page 1 should describe the overall condition as either ’satisfactory’, in which case no immediate remedial work is required, or ‘unsatisfactory’ which means remedial work is required to make the installation safe to use.

Question 2

What is a periodic inspection?

Accepted Answer

A Periodic Inspection is an inspection on the condition of an existing electrical installation, to identify (in order of priority) any deficiencies against the national safety standard for electrical installations.
A periodic inspection will:
• reveal if any of your electrical circuits or equipment is overloaded
• find any potential electrical shock risks and fire hazards in your electrical installation
• identify any defective DIY electrical work
• highlight any lack of earthing or bonding

Tests are also carried out on wiring and associated fixed electrical equipment to check that it is safe.

Question 3

Why is a periodic inspection needed?

Accepted Answer

Every electrical installation deteriorates with use and age. It is important for the person responsible for the maintenance of the installation to be sure that the safety of users is not put at risk, and that the installation continues to be in a safe and serviceable condition.

According to Government statistics, each year on average 10 people die and about 750 are seriously injured in accidents involving unsafe electrical installations in the home.

Question 4

How will I know when my next inspection and test is due?

Accepted Answer

A periodic test notice will be applied to your mains board indicating the next due test date. We hold records of all clients, together with re-test dates on our database and remind clients when re-tests are due. Logic will notify you automatically 3 months prior your testing due date.

Question 5

Who should undertake a periodic inspection?

Accepted Answer

Periodic inspections are best left to an experienced electrician or electrical engineer who holds a City and Guilds 2391 – Inspection, Testing and Verification of electrical installations with relevant experience in the installation types being tested.

Question 6

What happens during a periodic inspection?

Accepted Answer

The NICEIC Approved Contractor will check the electrical installation against the requirements of BS7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations ( IEE Wiring Regulations) – as amended, which is the national safety standard for electrical installations, and contains around 850 Regulations.
The period inspection will take into account all relevant circumstances including the following factors:
• Adequacy of earthing and bonding
• Suitability of the switchgear and controlgear e.g. consumer unit e.g. an old fusebox with a wooden back, cast iron switches, a haphazard mixture of such equipment is likely to need replacing
• Serviceability of equipment e.g. switches, socket-outlets and light fittings e.g. older round pin sockets, round light switches and braided flex hanging from ceiling roses to light fittings, black switches, sockets mounted in skirting boards may require replacing
• Type of wiring system and its condition e.g. cables coated in black- rubber, black-rubber was phased out in the 1960s or cables coated in lead or fabric are even older and may need replacing (modern cables use pvc insulation)
• Provision of residual current devices for socket-outlets that may be used to plug in electrical equipment used outdoors
• Presence of adequate identification and notices
• Extent of any wear and tear, damage or other deterioration
• Changes in use of the premises which have led to, or might lead to, deficiencies in the installation
The Approved Contractor will provide an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) as part of the periodic inspection.

Question 7

What happens after a periodic Inspection?

Accepted Answer

If the Periodic Inspection Report recommends improvements to the installation, Logic will provide a fixed price quotation for the remedial work to be carried out if you require one.

Question 8

Will testing cause a lot of disruption to the power?

Accepted Answer

A short power outage can be expected on each circuit within the system. But because most of the testing is carried out whilst the system is still live, these outages can be planned around your daily activities.

Question 9

My electrical installation is quite old - won’t testing open a can of worms in terms of remedial work costs?

Accepted Answer

Because we accurately identify any faults found, the cost of remedy in most cases is not too great. The majority of problems found involve earthing deficiencies, which although potentially very dangerous are not usually hugely expensive to remedy.

Question 10

What will happen if I don’t have testing carried out?

Accepted Answer

Unless and until you suffer an accident then probably nothing will happen. However, remember that maintenance of a safe electrical system is a legal requirement. Therefore a preventable accident could lead to prosecution, for which there will be no insurance cover.

You may also find that an insurance loss adjuster could make much of the fact that you may not have maintained the system adequately which could have led to the claim. Again, this could lead to an unsuccessful claim and a costly experience.

Question 11

I have been told that I only need to have a percentage of the system tested in order to comply.

Accepted Answer

As per the IEE Regulations, you can only rely on sample testing if you hold previous full system records, the installation is considered to be in excellent condition, no faults are found during sample testing and no undocumented alterations have been carried out since the system was new or last tested. This does not hold true for the vast majority, for which full inspection and testing should be undertaken.

Question 12

I rent my business premises, is testing my landlords responsibility or mine?

Accepted Answer

You are responsible to make sure that you and your staff complies with Health & Safety legislation. However, it is usually dependent on the terms of your lease as to whether you or your landlord pays for testing to be carried out on the electrical installation. Usually, if you are on a full repairing lease then the cost will fall to you. Portable Appliance testing will always be at your expense.

Question 13

Why have I not needed to have testing carried out before?

Accepted Answer

There has always been a requirement to satisfy Health & Safety legislation. In 1989 The Electricity at Work Regulations came into force, which clarifies the need to maintain electrical systems safely. So there has always been the need and test data results will form a major part of your defense should an accident occur which leads to prosecution.

Question 14

My insurers have recently carried out a site survey and they didn’t ask me to have electrical testing carried out?

Accepted Answer

A visiting inspector will not necessarily identify the need to maintain electrical safety at every inspection he makes, especially if there are other issues to be addressed. Because testing has not been specifically demanded does not mean that the legal requirements to comply with electrical safety do not apply.

Question 15

Is electrical testing a requirement of my insurance company?

Accepted Answer

Increasingly, insurers are insisting that inspection and testing be carried out on a regular basis. If an avoidable accident or a fire occurs where electricity is suspected to have been the cause, then under law if found guilty you will be deemed to have committed a criminal offence. Insurers will not pay fines or compensation suffered resulting from a criminal offence.

Electrical Testing and Inspection Services

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Electrical Inspection FAQs

What is a periodic inspection report?

What is a periodic inspection?

Why is a periodic inspection needed?

How will I know when my next inspection and test is due?

Who should undertake a periodic inspection?

What happens during a periodic inspection?

What happens after a periodic Inspection?

Will testing cause a lot of disruption to the power?

My electrical installation is quite old – won’t testing open a can of worms in terms of remedial work costs?

What will happen if I don’t have testing carried out?

I have been told that I only need to have a percentage of the system tested in order to comply.

I rent my business premises, is testing my landlords responsibility or mine?

Why have I not needed to have testing carried out before?

My insurers have recently carried out a site survey and they didn’t ask me to have electrical testing carried out?

Is electrical testing a requirement of my insurance company?

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