WHY THE NEED FOR TESTING?
Periodic inspection and testing is necessary because all electrical installations deteriorate due to a number of factors such as damage, wear, tear, corrosion, excessive electrical loading, ageing and environmental influences.
WHAT IS THE WORST CASE SCENARIO?
Electrical installations can be dangerous, the following statistics help make this point:
- Electricity is a major cause of fire in property and causes 20,000 fires per year
- Electricity kills at least one person each week
- Almost 1,000 people are injured by electricity each week
- Around 1,000 electrical accidents at work are reported to the HSE each year
ARE THERE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS?
Legislation exists to ensure that electrical installations are maintained in a safe condition. Some organisations such as insurance companies, licensing authorities, public bodies and mortgage lenders require that electrical installations undergo regular periodic inspection and testing. In particular employers and landlords have a responsibility for the safety of the occupants of their buildings.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Undertaking regular periodic inspection and testing of an electrical installation will both promote safety and ensure legal compliance. It will protect people from electric shock, protect property from damage caused by fire and heat arising from a defect, confirm that the installation is not damaged or deteriorated so as to impair safety, and identify any defects or non-compliance which may give rise to danger.
HOW CAN DARKE & TAYLOR HELP?
Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians. Darke & Taylor is an NIC EIC registered firm and member of the ECA and has, over the last 50 years, undertaken thousands of electrical system tests. Our Qualified Test Engineers will check the condition of your electrics against the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations.
A periodic inspection and test of your installation 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, damage or deterioration
- Highlight any lack of earthing or bonding
- Assess the suitability of switchgear and controlgear
- Ensure adequate circuit protection is installed
Once your electrical system has been inspected by a Darke & Taylor Test Engineer, we will provide you with a report detailing the condition of the system, including details of items requiring urgent attention and recommendations for improvements. Furthermore we will then discuss the outcome of the report and provide you with a quotation for any remedial work that is required, to be undertaken by one of our directly employed qualified electricians.
We can also provide an on-going solution to the maintenance and safety of your electrical systems and can also undertake Portable Appliance Testing, and Life Safety System Testing (Fire Alarm and Emergency Lighting) as part of a scheduled maintenance programme.
PREFERENTIAL RATES
Please click the following link to complete our on-line enquiry form. Type reference “DT0912” in the comments box and benefit from a preferential 10% discounted rate on our test and inspection services:
https://darkeandtaylor.co.uk/contact/get-in-touch/
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
If you would like to find out more about electrical safety and the importance of regular testing and maintenance of electrical installations, you will find more useful and independent information, help and advice by clicking the following links:
Health & Safety Executive:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg231.pdf
Business Link:
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1074460841&type=RESOURCES
NIC EIC:
http://niceic.com/householder/electrical-hazards
http://niceic.com/industry/hazards
Electrical Safety Council:
http://www.esc.org.uk/public/home-electrics/periodic-inspection-explained/
http://www.esc.org.uk/public/guides-and-advice/guidance-for-landlords/
Electical Contractors’ Association:
