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.
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. An EICR report is recommended for commercial sites at least every five years, while PAT testing is required once a year as a minimum.
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.
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.
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.
