Fixed Wire & Electrical Equipment Testing in Manchester

If you are an employer or a landlord, then yes. If you are a domestic landlord, it used to be the case that only a House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) required fixed wire testing. However the “Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020” now require landlords in England to maintain all properties to the electrical safety standards and to be able to evidence this with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). For a full Electrical Installation Condition Report in Manchester landlords should contact us.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 makes employers legally responsible for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of anyone on their business premises. Employers must also comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 which mandate that all electrical systems be properly maintained. To obtain an EICR Manchester business owners can rely on Electric Call.

Both employers and landlords should carry out commercial fixed wire testing every five years or whenever a new tenancy is about to start. You must be able to produce an up to date EICR on demand in order to demonstrate that this legally required testing has been done. If you are unable to produce this document, you could be liable for any electrical accident, putting you at risk of prosecution and invalidating your insurance policies.

Essentially a “Fixed Wire Test and Inspection” is the process of checking an electrical system to ensure that it is safe to use and in compliance with appropriate electrical regulations. The Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the document which shows that the testing has been done, details what the tests have discovered and states whether the appropriate standards have been achieved.

It is important to undertake commercial fixed wire testing not less than every five years. If a new tenancy is about to start a fresh EICR should also be obtained, no matter how recent the last testing was carried out. As a leading provider of electrical inspection and testing in Manchester we would point out that any EICR more than five years old cannot be used to demonstrate compliance with UK electrical safety laws.

As a leading provider of electrical testing in Manchester, we are often asked to clear this up. The two are not the same as PAT testing is focussed on appliances, while the fixed wire tests check the safety of the wires and sockets those appliances are plugged into.

Fixed wire testing in Manchester brings a variety of options. The amount of time required to conduct a fixed wire test will vary depending on how big the system to be tested is, and how easy things are to access.

UK law makes electrical safety the responsibility of employers and landlords. It is therefore either an employer, or the owner of any domestic or commercial premises who must arrange tests to be carried out, and any maintenance the tests indicate should be undertaken. If you need to conduct electrical inspection and testing in Manchester, we are always ready to assist.

As a leading provider of fixed wire testing in Manchester, we should point out that it is not only a legal requirement to conduct fixed line tests every five years, the law also requires that a Landlords Fixed Wiring Test and new EICR be obtained at the start of any new tenancy, regardless of how recent the previous report was issued.

Fixed wire periodic testing involves a visual inspection of the electrical system to identify obvious issues. Then all fixed circuits from the distribution board or boards are tested. These tests are intended to ascertain the integrity and functionality of all cables, accessories and devices, socket outlets, lighting, air condition and any other fixed equipment.

Electrical testing in Manchester and indeed anywhere else in the UK must always be carried out by a properly qualified and licenced electrical professional. A fixed wire test and inspection conducted by unqualified persons will not be valid.

It is tempting, if a little unhelpful, to say that fixed wire testing services take “as long as they take”. The timescale will depend on the size and complexity of the system being tested. Lack of accessibility to elements of the system will also slow the process down.

The variable nature of electrical systems mean that the cost of testing different electrical systems will vary. We will always provide a comprehensive quote before starting work however, so you will always know the cost of your inspection.

If you are a landlord or an employer you are legally required to make sure that the electrical systems in your premises are safe. You must also be able to submit proof of this. Your electrical certificate, issued by a recognised provider of fixed wire testing services is that proof.

You can. If you are selling a house you are not legally required to provide any kind of certificate of electrical safety. However, you may well find that many prospective buyers will ask for one, so having an Electrical Safety Certificate will make it easier to sell the property.

You would not generally need any kind of planning permission to rewire your premises. Indeed, if rewiring is required to obtain an Electrical Safety Certificate such works may well be mandated.

When we conduct fixed wire testing we work hard to minimise disruption. However, there may be occasions when particular sections of a system need to be isolated to allow safe working. We work closely with clients to work out how such situations can be accommodated.

Legally the law requires both landlords and employers to take responsibility for electrical safety. So in legal terms both are responsible for testing. It is advisable to make sure exactly who pays for testing and maintenance is set out in the lease, but you do need to be very clear that all of the appropriate testing has been done.

Possibly nothing. If there is no accident or incident and nobody suffers any kind of harm from your electrical system, it is unlikely that anyone will check. You might get away with it. But if there is a problem and you are unable to demonstrate that appropriate testing has been done a preventable accident could lead to your business, and even you personally being liable to prosecution, and you will have no valid insurance cover either. It is simply not worth the risk.

The Electricity at Work Regulations apply to all businesses, whatever their size. Therefore all portable electrical appliances must be tested regularly.

At least on a five-yearly basis. If you are a landlord you should also arrange for your electrical installation to be tested at the commencement of every lease, even if that is more frequently than every five years.

The regulations do not specify how frequently portable appliances need to be tested, only that it is your responsibility to ensure that they are safe. In order to make sure that you comply with that requirement we recommend the annual testing of portable appliances.