FireNet Community

FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Technical Advice => Topic started by: Hightower on October 31, 2009, 02:07:33 PM

Title: Electrical installation testing periods
Post by: Hightower on October 31, 2009, 02:07:33 PM

I believed until recently that the IEE recommended that electrical installations should be checked on a 5 yearly basis.

Today I came across a sign by an electrician using a 'National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting' sign that the retest period was 10 years.

Can anyone clarify?

Title: Re: Electrical installation testing periods
Post by: Galeon on October 31, 2009, 02:19:50 PM

Commercial property 5 years / Domestic (your own house ) 10 Years , however if Housing Trust / Council might put through at 5 years as a let /tenant property.

Title: Re: Electrical installation testing periods
Post by: Hightower on October 31, 2009, 04:46:15 PM

Galleon

Thank you for that, most appreciated - are you able to provide a link to the recommendations wherever that may be?  IEE or others?

cheers
Mark

Title: Re: Electrical installation testing periods
Post by: kurnal on October 31, 2009, 06:52:13 PM

I believe there are variations to this as well, though its not my field. Certainly outdoor installations eg caravan sites should be tested annually, and some higher risk industrial premises work to 3 years?

Similar applies to premises that have been zoned in accordance with DSEAR Regs.

Can anyone put any more meat on the bones and correct as necessary?

Title: Re: Electrical installation testing periods
Post by: colin todd on October 31, 2009, 08:45:30 PM

All set out in the relevant IEE guidance note.

Title: Re: Electrical installation testing periods
Post by: Tom Sutton on October 31, 2009, 10:19:55 PM

If Colin will tell us which one you could try http://www.theiet.org/publishing/wiring-regulations/updates/

Title: Re: Electrical installation testing periods
Post by: Owen66 on November 02, 2009, 01:04:33 PM

Recommended initial frequencies of inspection of electrical installations are published in Guidance Note 3.

They range from domestic properties at 10years/change of occupancy to construction sites at 3 months.

Generally it is EAWR that requires systems to be maintained as far as is reasonably practicable to prevent danger - so a risk assessment call for the designer I guess

Regards

Owen

Title: Re: Electrical installation testing periods
Post by: Hightower on November 03, 2009, 07:59:59 PM

Hi Owen66

I used tw's link and then went to guidance note 3 - gotta say, i was expecting something a little more defined :-[

Is it just me or is there something i'm missing?   ??? ??? ??? ??? ???

Title: Re: Electrical installation testing periods
Post by: kurnal on November 03, 2009, 08:38:48 PM

The attached link may help a little- see the table down the document

http://www.theiet.org/publishing/wiring-regulations/mag/2008/29-periodic-inspection.cfm?type=pdf

Title: Re: Electrical installation testing periods
Post by: Tom Sutton on November 03, 2009, 11:14:20 PM

Sorry Hightower, it was useless unless you have the guidance note but at that stage I was trying to establish which guidance note dealt with testing and Owen66 cleared up that point.