All electrical installations deteriorate with age over time and with use. They should therefore be inspected and tested at regular intervals to check whether they are in a safe and satisfactory condition for continued use. Such safety checks are commonly referred to as ‘Periodic Inspection and Testing’.

Responsible persons ('Duty holders') have a legal responsibility to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees . This involves keeping electrical systems safe and by using competent persons to carry out the work.

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons. Atex Solutions Limited are registered electricians and 'NICEIC Approved Electrical Contractors'

The condition of the installation is checked against the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations (BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations) supporting statutory regulations such as the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. (PUWER)

Regulation 4 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, requires:

As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent such danger.’ Where danger may exist, all systems should be constructed and maintained in a safe condition, and records of maintenance should be kept. Atex Solutions Limited periodic inspection and testing will support clients in complying with these standards,Highlight any lack of earthing or bonding including:

A periodic inspection will:

- Reveal if any of your electrical circuits or equipment are overloaded
- Find any potential electric shock risks and fire hazards
- Identify any defective electrical work
- Highlight any lack of earthing or bonding

Fully skilled and trained staff will conduct a thorough visual inspection supported by a 100% test or an agreed percentage test of the installation (where practicable and applicable) and taking into account previous maintenance records and environment, examining:

- Safety
- Wear and tear
- Corrosion
- Damage
- Overloading
- Age
- External influences
- Suitability

The inspections are vital for the protection against electric shock, electric burns, fires and arcing or explosions Inspection

We will thoroughly conduct a visual inspection of your fixed electrical installation and an internal inspection of a sample (as agreed) of devices, including: (not exhaustive)

- Joints and Connections
- Conductors (Including Protective Conductors)
- Flexible Cables and Cords
- Accessories and Switching Devices
- Basic Protection
- Fault Protection
- Protective Devices
- Enclosures and Mechanical Protection
- Marking and Labelling

Testing:

Testing of fixed equipment installation includes:

- Continuity of Protective Conductors
- Insulation resistance testing
- Polarity Testing
- Earth loop impedance
- Functional tests

Reporting:

At the end of the inspection, you will receive an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) detailing any damage or corrective action to current safety standard that might give rise to danger.

This is prioritized as follows:

- C1. Danger Present - The safety of those using the installation is at risk.
- C2. Potentially Dangerous - The safety of those using the installation may be at risk.
- C3. Improvement recommended.

Where dangerous or potentially dangerous conditions are identified the overall condition of the electrical installation will be declared to be ‘unsatisfactory’, requiring remedial action without delay. Reported defects that receive a C1 classification will be notified to the duty holder as soon as possible which should be resolved immediately.

Detailed inspection and testing however thorough, may not ensure the ongoing safety of an electrical installation, therefore we recommend a 3 year or 5-year maintenance regime as per Guidance Note 3. It is then down to the 'duty holder' to ensure compliance