All electrical installations deteriorate with age and use. They should therefore be inspected and tested at regular intervals to check whether they are in a satisfactory condition for continued use. Such safety checks are commonly referred to as 'periodic inspection and testing'.

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Whilst it isn’t a legal requirement that you have a periodic inspection report carried out, not doing so can carry some severe consequences!

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• If your home was damaged by any fault caused by faulty electrical wiring such as fire your home insurance company would request an up to date condition report, failure to provide this would render your home insurance invalid meaning the cost of the repairs to your home and the potential cost of any neighbouring properties would have to be covered by you.

• It IS a legal requirement to ensure that your home electrical infrastructure is up to a satisfactory safety standard.. this means if someone was to be injured or heaven forbid killed as a result of an electrical fault you could be criminally liable.

• If you are a landlord it IS a legal requirement that your property/properties have an up to date certificate every 5 years. Failure to comply with the law can carry a large fine and in some cases a custodial sentence. If you receive payment from someone to live in your property this applies to you.

• If you’re not a landlord and haven’t had an inspection for over 10 years you may not have a legal obligation to get one done but you do have a responsibility to ensure that you have taken appropriate steps to make sure your home is safe.

 

 

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians. They will check the condition of the electrics against the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations, BS 7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations).

The inspection takes into account all the relevant circumstances and checks on:

• The adequacy of earthing and bonding.

• The suitability of the switchgear and controlgear. For example, an old fusebox with a wooden back, cast-iron switches, or a mixture of both will need replacing.

• The serviceability of switches, sockets and lighting fittings. Items that  may need replacing include: older round-pin sockets, round light switches, cables with fabric coating hanging from ceiling roses to light fittings, black switches and sockets mounted in skirting boards.

• The type of wiring system and its condition. For example, cables coated in black rubber were phased out in the 1960s. Likewise cables coated in lead or fabric are even older and may well need replacing (modern cables use longer-lasting pvc insulation).

• Sockets that may be used to supply portable electrical equipment for use outdoors, making sure they are protected by a suitable residual current device (RCD).

• The presence of adequate identification and notices.

• The extent of any wear and tear, damage or other deterioration.

• Any changes in the use of the premises that have led to, or may lead to, unsafe conditions.

The competent person will then issue an Electrical Installation Condition Report detailing any observed damage, deterioration, defects, dangerous conditions and any non-compliances with the present-day safety standard that might give rise to danger.

If anything dangerous or potentially dangerous is found, the overall condition of the electrical installation will be declared to be 'unsatisfactory', meaning that remedial action is required without delay to remove the risks to those in the premises.

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