Our Voltimum Experts answer your questions on a daily basis in our Technical Expertise area. This one, concerning electrical safety inspections, councils and landlords, is answered by the NICEIC:
I have come to understand that councils, eg: North Ayrshire, are no longer accepting the annual safety checks that I carry out for landlords - an email I recently sent has obtained no response - do you have a view on this?
I have one serious concern - Periodic Inspections will be performed at intervals of three or five years as assessed by the inspector, and they do not check appliances. Certain people are creating a dangerous situation by encouraging landlords to neglect their legal obligations. That is why organisations such as Gas-Elec and One Step created the routine electrical inspection - something additional to the certificates BS7671 defines.
It may not be your business, but somebody needs to tell these people that a periodic inspection is neither frequent enough, nor comprehensive enough to address the lettings situation. A routine electrical inspection fills the void between BS7671 and the electrical hazard element of HHSRS.
So I repeat, do you have a view on this?
Answer: A Periodic Inspection is an inspection on the condition of an existing electrical installation, to identify (in order of priority) any deficiencies against the national safety standard for electrical installations. A Periodic Inspection will:
- Reveal whether any of the electrical circuits or equipment is overloaded.
- Find any potential electrical shock risks and fire hazards in your electrical installation.
- Identify any defective DIY electrical work.
- Highlight any lack of earthing or bonding .
Tests are also carried out on wiring and associated fixed electrical equipment to check that it is safe. A schedule of circuits will also be provided, which is invaluable for a property.
Every electrical installation deteriorates with use and age. It is important that the safety of the family and the users of the installation are not put at risk, and that the installation continues to be in a safe and serviceable condition.
A PIR will check the electrical installation against the requirements of BS 7671 - Requirements for Electrical Installations (IEE Wiring Regulations) .
The periodic inspection will take into account all relevant circumstances including the following factors:
- Adequacy of earthing and bonding.
- Suitability of the switch-gear and control-gear - the consumer unit - note: An old fuse box with a wooden back, cast iron switches, a haphazard mixture of such equipment is likely to need replacing.
- Serviceability of equipment such as switches, socket-outlets and light fittings - note:: older round pin sockets, round light switches and braided flex hanging from ceiling roses to light fittings, black switches, sockets mounted in skirting boards may require replacing.
- Type of wiring system and its condition. For example, cables coated in black- rubber, black-rubber was phased out in the 1960s or cables coated in lead or fabric are even older and may need replacing (modern cables use PVC insulation).
- Provision of residual current devices for socket-outlets that may be used to plug in electrical equipment used outdoors.
- Presence of adequate identification and notices.
- Extent of any wear and tear, damage or other deterioration.
- Changes in use of the premises, which have led to, or might lead to, deficiencies in the installation.
The electrician undertaking the Inspection and testing will provide a periodic inspection report (PIR) as part of the periodic inspection. A periodic inspection report (PIR) is a formal method of recording the findings of the periodic inspection, on at least three pages for domestic installations and six pages for larger installations. The main purpose of a PIR is to report on the safety condition of an existing installation. It should describe the overall condition as either 'satisfactory', in which case no immediate remedial work is required, or 'unsatisfactory' which means remedial work is required to make the installation safe to use.
If the report recommends improvements to the installation, ask for a fixed price quotation for the remedial work from at least three electrical contractors. The improvements do not necessarily have to be carried out by the electrician who provided the Periodic Inspection Report.
As for portable electrical equipment, visual inspection is as important as testing it. By concentrating on a simple inexpensive system of looking for visible signs of damage or faults, and putting them right, you will prevent most electrical accidents from occurring. Generally, equipment that has a lead (cable) and plug and which is normally moved around or can easily be moved from place to place, e.g. vacuum cleaners, kettles, heaters, fans, TVs, table lamps - and also equipment that could be moved.
If you read the attached document, published by The Electrical Safety Council for landlords, it specifically states that the needs for both aspects of the building require reporting on.
Click below to download the attachment (PDF - 689kB).
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