Periodic inspection and testing is necessary because all electrical installations deteriorate due to a number of factors, i.e. damage, wear, tear, corrosion, excessive electrical loading, ageing and environmental influences.
Consequently:
- legislation requires that electrical installations are maintained in a safe condition and therefore must be periodically inspected and tested
- licensing authorities, public bodies, insurance companies, mortgage lenders and others may require periodic inspection and testing of electrical installations
- additionally, periodic inspection and testing should be considered to assess compliance with BS 7671
Type of Installation Maximum Period Between Inspection
- Domestic Change of Occupancy / 10 years
- Commercial Change of Occupancy / 5 years
- Educational Establishments 5 years
- Industrial 3 years
- Residential 5 years
- Offices 5 years
- Shops 5 years
- Places of Public Entertainment 1 year
- Petrol Filling Stations 1 year
