periodic electrical tests

Dear Philip,
Thanks for your question, by law, in accordance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989; precautions must be taken against the risk of death or personal injury from electricity at work activities.
It is therefore important to keep a record of the condition of electrical systems and help to fulfil obligations to the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 but more specifically you must comply as well with the IEE Wiring Regulations BS 7671 as this are the national standards to which all industrial and domestic wiring must now conform. The Regulations are produced by the IET, fully known as the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
The guidance states that all electrical installations should be tested and inspected periodically, as well as on their original completion and when alterations are carried out.
Indeed, these guidelines require organisations to undertake fixed-wire testing and the frequency of periodic inspection and testing must be determined taking into account: the type of installation, its use and operation, the frequency and quality of maintenance and the external influences to which it is subjected
Specifically for offices the requirements are routine checks once a year and inspection and testing every five years, other installations such as industrial buildings or building open to the public (e.g. cinemas or theatres) to have more frequent inspections and testing.
Hope it answer your query, best regards Maria.

You should carry out a 5 yearly fixed wiring test mainly for your own piece of mind. SAFED did a survey on electrical faults as the cause of fires and the results are pretty shocking http://www.safed.co.uk/News/electricity.htm. But you should also do fixed wiring tests and inspections because they are a way of demonstrating that the installation meets all the requirements of Part II of the Electricity at work regulations 1989: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/635/contents/made. Check of course that the person proposing to carry out the tests for you is indeed competent (memberships such as NICEIC or ECA, qualifications e.g. City and Guilds 2391, experience and references including some training in the latest 17th edition of the wiring regulations) and shop around.

Note that you can comply with the 5 yearly guideline by physically testing 20% of the installation on an annual basis to help manage the costs. It is good practice according to the IEE (who were concerned that the 5 yearly test might mean that no examination at all might take place in the interim) to conduct an annual visual inspection to augment physical testing. It is advisable to do 100% physical test of the fixed installation though if it has not has not been examined, inspected or tested in any form for 5 years or more and especially you have reason to suspect the wiring or some components may be in poor condition, as then you have peace of mind.

I would confer with the HSE on this matter as you are subject to having Fixed Wiring checks and PAT testing. They will tell you the relevant frequencies and conditions.

For the cost of maybe a few thousand it will protect your insurances, in case of a claim, and ensure the safety of you residents and staff against any danger.

are the 5 year time period for periodic electrical tests statutory or "guidlines" we have qualified maintenance electricians on site who carry out repairs upgrades etc but the installation s have been inspected by external contractors and are now just over the 5 years, are we breaking any statutory regulations, the premises is a residential care home
many thanks