From fines and closures to staff welfare, the results of electrical non-compliance are no laughing matter. Thankfully, it’s much easier than you might think to make sure you’re compliant. Read on as we clear things up when it comes to electrical compliance and testing…
Electrical compliance concerns a number of legislations and laws which have been introduced over the past few decades, including the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (1992), and the Electricity at Work Regulations (1989).
Broadly speaking, it’s broken down into two main areas – your building’s electrical system and the electrical appliances which are used on site.
Your electrical system covers all components which pass electricity through the building, while appliances are essentially anything that’s plugged into the mains or an electric generator.
Both areas are also measured against BS 7671, the IET Wiring Regulations that set the technical benchmark for how an electrical installation should be designed, installed and tested. It works alongside the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, giving your contractor a consistent, recognised standard to inspect your system against, whatever sector you're in. When an EICR or a certificate references a "code," it's this standard the assessment is being measured against.
The two main areas of electrical compliance are both covered by a relevant test. An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) tests your electrical system, while Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) checks all of your appliances and equipment.
Both tests need to be carried out by a fully qualified electrician, who will perform a full inspection and test of every applicable component or appliance. It's worth checking a contractor's credentials before booking either test. Look for NICEIC accreditation or SafeContractor status. Both confirm the electrician has been independently assessed against recognised industry standards, rather than just taking their word for it.
An EICR report is recommended for commercial sites at least every five years, while PAT testing is required once a year as a minimum. Higher-risk environments are often reviewed more frequently than the five-year maximum, since equipment in these settings tends to deteriorate faster under regular heavy use. These include commercial kitchens, workshops or older buildings with a history of faults.
After testing is complete, you’ll receive an EICR report or PAT stickers to document the results of the tests. An EICR report will outline any problems, split into four clear categories:
C1 – Danger present
C2 – Potentially dangerous
C3 – Improvement recommended
FI – Further investigation required
On the other hand, each appliance that’s been PAT tested will be labelled with the test date, an appliance ID and the date at which it needs to be retested. In both cases, failed inspections could result in the removal of equipment or closure of your site.
EICR and PAT aren't the only checks that count towards electrical compliance. Fire alarm systems fall under BS 5839 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which require a weekly user test of a call point alongside a professional service visit roughly every six months.
Skipping these checks is one of the most common gaps flagged during a fire risk assessment, and it's the building's "responsible person," usually the owner or manager, who's accountable if the system hasn't been maintained.
Emergency lighting needs similar attention. BS 5266 sets out monthly functional checks alongside an annual test where the lighting runs on battery power for its full rated duration, usually three hours. This confirms escape routes stay lit long enough for everyone to get out safely if the mains supply fails, something that's easy to assume is fine until it's actually tested.
Thermal imaging surveys are worth adding to the schedule too. They pick up early signs of overheating components, loose connections and overloaded circuits well before they become a fault, and they don't require any shutdown to carry out. For businesses that can't afford downtime, that makes them a useful addition alongside the standard EICR and PAT cycle.
There are numerous benefits of electrical compliance and testing. For one, you’ll stay compliant which means you avoid any fines, penalties or the risk of your building being shut down. You’ll also minimise the risk of any damage to your building, or even worse your staff, which would come with its own associated costs.
Non-compliance can also affect your insurance position. Many commercial policies expect evidence of regular EICR, PAT, fire alarm and emergency lighting checks, and a claim can be reduced or refused if that paperwork isn't in place when something goes wrong.
In more serious cases, the penalties for non-compliance can include a prohibition notice stopping part of your site from operating until issues are fixed, alongside the possibility of prosecution and unlimited fines. Beyond the financial risk, it affects your reputation too, since accidents or enforcement action involving electrical faults are hard to keep quiet from staff, clients and tenants.
Above all else, it gives you complete peace of mind that your electrical system and appliances are working efficiently and safely. That allows you to focus on what you do best, and could even save you money on unexpected repairs in the long run.
At Volta Compliance, we aim to make electrical compliance as simple and hassle-free as possible for companies throughout Leeds and the surrounding areas. Our expert electricians offer fully certified PAT tests and EICR reports to cover all bases for your business.
Want to find out more? We’re only a phone call away. Call us on 0113 436 0402 to arrange your electrical tests.
