Your specialist partner for total electrical compliance Electrical Testing
"To achieve compliance with the legal requirements of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 requires proof that an electrical system is safe, which involves amongst other things, proper inspection and testing of a system by competent people and the creation and maintenance of records" Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 3 Did you know an estimated 2.5 million people receive a mains voltage electrical shock every year, and 350,000 of those receive a severe injury? Electrical Testing
ThE Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that maintenance of fixed electrical installations and portable appliances is scheduled and carried out by all employers, and also that regular inspections are made to ensure safety in the working environment. Maintaining a Safe Environment for All } The regulations state clearly that responsibility for ensuring the safety of employees rests with the employer. These regulations extend to both social and private landlords. If you let property, you must ensure that the electrical system and all appliances supplied are safe. Failure to comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and The Consumer Protection Act 1987 is a criminal offence. Circuit Electrical Testing specialises in the routine maintenance of both portable and fixed equipment. We also offer testing services covering emergency lighting, fire alarms and fire extinguishers, as well as remedial works, initial verification and thermal imaging. We operate nationwide, employing suitably qualified staff using the latest available technology to ensure that our services are fast, relevant and reliable and that data can be uploaded and manipulated to suit our clients own requirements. 5
Circuit Electrical TeSTing } Powered BY Quality All work carried out by Circuit Electrical Testing is managed by qualified specialists guaranteeing that our work is of the highest standard, performed by experienced professionals. Established in 2007, for the express purpose of carrying out routine maintenance on portable and fixed equipment, Circuit Electrical Testing provides high quality electrical testing services to organisations throughout the UK, working with a range of key customers. With a market presence of over 20 years, the team have become widely recognised within the industry. > Circuit Electrical Testing is an NIC EIC Approved Contractor, NIC EIC Domestic Installer, Accredited member of the NICEIC PAT Scheme & Trustmark Scheme Approved > Circuit Electrical Testing is a registered member of the Electrical Contractors Association > Circuit Electrical Testing is a member of Government Certification Service Constructionline > Circuit Electrical Testing is SSIP Member Acclaim accredited > Circuit Electrical Testing is accredited to BS EN ISO 9001:2008, OHSAS 18001:2007, BS EN ISO 14001:2004 and operates a Quality Management System compliant with IAB international standards > All our engineers are CRB checked to Enhanced Disclosure level. We currently manage a wide range of multi-site contracts within both the private and public sectors, ranging from educational institutions and care homes through to NHS sites, national retail chains and corporates. 7
So what are the obligations? Did you know that over 7% of all workplace fatalities were caused by contact with electricity or electrical discharge? What is a PAT test? And how often should I test? Must emergency lighting be tested too? There are a range of requirements on regular visual checks for emergency lighting systems. However, on completion of the third year after installation, emergency lighting units must be assessed by a qualified electrician. Thereafter, this check should be carried out annually. PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) is a process by which electrical appliances are routinely checked for safety. It is not compulsory, but the law does require employers to ensure that electrical equipment is correctly maintained for safety reasons. Testing frequency depends upon the type of equipment and the environment in which it is used. HSE provides full guidance for employers. How about maintenance for fire extinguishers? The British Standard Code of Practice BS 5306 Part 3 states that fire extinguisher servicing needs to be carried out at least annually to ensure that the extinguishers are safe and will always function in an emergency. This is a service often carried out in parallel with PAT, Fixed Wire and Emergency Lighting tests. 9
What about fixed wire testing?... Fixed Installation Testing also known as Periodic Inspection and Testing - is an important element in any business Health & Safety system. In addition, many insurance companies require their clients to carry out periodic electrical testing. Frequency of testing is determined by the use of any given building, and should be carried out only by companies registered with electrical governing bodies such as NICEIC or the ECA. The process is completed with the issue of a detailed Electrical Installation Condition Report. Fixed Wire Testing } Electrical installations can deteriorate with use and age, and periodic fixed wire testing is vital to ensure the safety of users and the safety and service ability of equipment. Also referred to as Hard Wire Testing or Periodic Inspection, Fixed Wire Testing is a regime involving professional testing of the electrical systems, circuits and services carrying electricity around a building. All Fixed Wire Testing carried out by Circuit Electrical Testing is conducted by qualified professionals in accordance with the Institute of Electrical Engineers 17th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS7671) Guidance Note 3. We test for a range of issues including overloaded circuits, fire hazards, shock risks and lack of earthing/bonding, as well as identifying defective electrical work which could lead to future problems. > We can work out of hours to minimise disruption, at no extra cost > We provide comprehensive Periodic Inspection Reporting > We carry out a full range of remedial repairs where required We are committed to ensuring that our customers have a full overview of and confidence in the intrinsic safety of their electrical installations. 11
PAT Testing } Keeping Employees Safe at Work Everyday wear and tear on portable electrical appliances can cause damage resulting in the risk of electric shock or even fire. Flexible reporting in a vital part of the Circuit Electrical Testing service; this information is readily accessible online to our clients within hours of tests being completed, and can be viewed via secure login accounts, or supplied in a range of formats to suit individual requirements. All data is held on secure, dedicated servers with full back up facilities. 13 Employers, institutions and landlords have a statutory responsibility to ensure that all portable appliances on their premises are safe for use, and regular PAT testing plays an essential part in documenting this duty of care. PAT testing is also cost effective many employers and landlords have seen real reductions in their insurance premiums by adopting a regular PAT testing regime. > At Circuit Electrical Testing, our specialists are qualified to City & Guilds 1 & 2, City & Guilds 2377 and 2391 inspection & testing standards > We are an accredited member of the PAT Scheme operated by the NIC EIC, your guarantee that our work is of the highest standard, performed by experienced professionals. Circuit Electrical Testing engineers inspect electrical items to check for potential flaws which could present a hazard in use. This work is backed up by our comprehensive compliance and reporting pack designed to document the work carried out and the results, including a full asset register and indication of remedial repairs where appropriate. Nearly a quarter of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable equipment...
Complementary Compliance Services } Current British Standards specify that fire alarm and extinguishing systems and emergency lighting installations must be regularly inspected and serviced. Testing Emergency Lighting Emergency lighting should operate automatically and give adequate light to enable a safe evacuation of the building, and employers are responsible for ensuring the upkeep of these systems. At Circuit Electrical Testing, we are committed to ensuring that our customers have a full overview of and confidence in the intrinsic safety of their emergency lighting installations. > We provide a professional Periodic Inspection service in line with the requirements of Emergency Lighting Regulations BS5266. > We can work out of hours to minimise disruption, at no extra cost > We provide certification detailing our inspection procedures and outlining any issues that may arise. > We can carry out remedial repairs where required Fire Alarms Our periodic tests comply fully with the requirements set out in BS5839. We test smoke detectors for functionality, as well as all bells to check sound levels throughout the building. We also check fire panels, battery back-up and installations. We provide certification detailing our inspection procedures and outlining any issues that may arise. Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Services In line with the requirements of British Standard Code of Practice BS 5306 Part 3, Circuit Electrical Testing provides a qualified fire extinguisher maintenance service carried out by qualified and competent engineers. We offer servicing and maintenance for all types of extinguishers including water, powder, CO2, foam and wet chemical. 15
After the Test: ProfessionaL RemediaL Work by Circuit Electrical Testing} Electrical inspection and testing work is just one part of safety compliance. Remedial work identified during the testing process must be completed within an appropriate timeframe, by qualified professionals, to ensure the ongoing integrity of the installation. A test report is not a pass certificate. It is a detailed technical document itemising the process of inspection and testing carried out, and reporting on any damage, deterioration, defects and dangerous conditions within the installation. These issues must be acted upon promptly. If essential remedial work is not carried out following the testing process, then the employer or organisation could be liable for fault or negligence. Circuit Electrical Testing operates a nationwide network of qualified service engineers, operating with fully equipped vans carrying stocks of spares to provide immediate solutions for many common remedial issues. In many cases, completing essential remedial works forms part of the original testing requirement, and we aim to provide a fast, reliable and professional service. 17
Additional Services } Initial Verification Works Circuit Electrical Testing carries out Initial Verification works for new installations during the construction and inspection and testing phases. The objective is to confirm that a given electrical installation complies with BS7671 current edition and can be put into service with confidence. Our UK network of field based engineers will attend on site and complete a schedule of works to suit individual requirements, minimising downtime and ensuring cost-effective results. Thermal Imaging Thermal Imaging is an important diagnostic tool, producing infrared, or heat pictures showing up problem hot spots within an electrical system. Using a thermal imaging camera, engineers from Circuit Electrical Testing take a detailed look at electrical systems to predict potential disruptive faults such as lose connections, load imbalances, corrosion and increase in impedance to current.. If left unchecked, heat can rise to a point where connections melt and break the circuit; as a result, fires may occur. Circuit Compliance 1st Floor Fountain Chambers Fountain Street, Halifax HX1 1LW Tel: 0845 021 3207 mrcircuit@circuitelectricaltesting.com www.circuitelectricaltesting.com
Circuit Compliance 1st Floor Fountain Chambers Fountain Street, Halifax HX1 1LW Tel: 0845 021 3207 mrcircuit@circuitelectricaltesting.com www.circuitelectricaltesting.com