Fixed wire testing is what we here at APR Electrical consider one of the most important aspects of electrical work. Like anything, electrical installations will deteriorate with age and it is important to maintain your electrical systems properly to safeguard households, tenants, members of staff, premises and possessions. By carrying out testing and inspection at regular intervals, we can determine a property or businesses electrical safety, and potential issues can be identified and dealt with, so problems don’t continue undetected which may eventually result in fire or injury.
What is fixed wire testing?
Fixed wire testing is known by many names, you may have heard it referred to as any of the below:
- Electrical Installation Condition Reporting
- EICR
- Periodic Inspection and Testing
- Fixed Wire Testing
- Hard Wire Testing
- Test & Inspection
- Fixed Testing
- Periodic Testing
- Electrical Testing
Fixed wire testing involves the testing of the electrical services and/or systems in a building. It covers all the wiring in a building, whether this is a home or business; domestic, commercial or indsutrial property and it also covers anything wired into the cabling such as main panels, distribution board, lighting, sockets, air conditioning and other fixed items.
What’s involved in a fixed wire test?
Fixed wire testing involves in depth visual inspections and electrical tests on all systems in your home or premises . Each circuit will be inspected for any visible damage or signs of aging or wear and tear. Then the electrician will perform a series of tests to ensure that the wiring is safe and correctly wired.
There may be a small amount of disruption while testing is being carried out as we are required to switch off the electricity to your consumer unit at some point during the test, however we try and keep this as minimal as possible.
How often do I need a fixed wire test?
The below list shows the recommended intervals between periodic tests and inspections according to BS7671 Electrical Regulations:
- Domestic premises (general) = 10 years/Change of Occupancy
- Domestic premises (rented houses and flats) = 5 years/Change of Occupancy
- Residential accommodation (HMO, halls of residence, nurses accommodation etc) = 5 years/Change of Occupancy (some local authorities ask for HMO properties to be tested every 3 years)
- Commercial premises = 5 years/Change of Occupancy
- Educational establishments = 5 years
- Industrial premises = 3 years
- Offices = 5 years
- Shops = 5 years
- Laboratories = 5 years
- Hospitals and medical clinics (general areas) = 5 years
- Hospitals and medical clinics (medical locations) = 1 year
- Cinemas = 1-3 years (local authorities license should stipulate frequency)
- Churches = 5 years
- Leisure complexes (excluding swimming pools) = 3 years
- Places of public entertainment = 3 years
- Restaurants and hotels = 5 years
- Theatres, etc. = 3 years
- Public Houses = 5 years
- Village halls/community centres = 5 years
- Agricultural and horticultural = 3 years
- Caravans = 3 years but should be reduced to every 1 year if used frequently.
- Caravan parks = 1 year
- Highway power supplies = 6-8 years
- Marinas = 1 year
- Fish farms = 1 year
- Swimming pools = 1 year
- Emergency lighting = 3 years – although luminaries should be discharge tested every 1 year
- Fire alarms = 1 year
- Launderettes = 1 year
- Petrol filling stations = 1 year
- Construction site installations = 3 months
- Temporary installation = 3 months
If you think your property or business is due for a fixed wire test, then you can get in touch with us for a quote. We can visit you for a free, no obligation quote to discuss your requirements.
For independent advice
You can visit the Electrical Safety Council for independent advice on fixed wire testing.
