As a business, it is important to gain periodic reviews (an EICR certificate) of the health and integrity of your building’s electrical systems.
An EICR ensures that preventative maintenance can be carried out before problems escalate. As part of the EICR, Fixed Wire Testing is carried out to test electrical installations which will otherwise gradually degrade over time.
An in-depth inspection is carried out on the internal wiring of the building as opposed to appliances or equipment that is plugged in to those installations. Under the regulations of BS7671 the report outlines if the installation is satisfactory, if work needs to be carried out urgently, or is recommended.
The Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) recommend that commercial properties have an EICR carried out every 5 years, or when there is a change in occupancy, whichever is sooner. This period may be shorter for particularly hazardous businesses or those that are open to the public.
So, what are the benefits of EICR’s and why does your business need one?
1. To meet safety needs and comply with the law
Safety and duty of care within the workplace are serious matters. Fixed Wire Testing is a legal requirement and it governed by the IET Wiring Regulations Seventeenth Edition (BS 7671).
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also enforces the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
Each of these require that relevant precautions are taken to prevent the risk of death or personal injury as part of employees working activities. An EICR will help you to fulfil your obligations in this area and work to prevent electrical installations causing unwanted accidents.
EICRs will be able to identify any over-loaded circuits which may lead to frequent tripping of breakers. Frequent overloading can be dangerous as it may lead to damaged equipment which in turn can cause problems. Possible fire or shock hazards will also be identified as well as any previously performed shoddy electrical installation work that may cause such terrible outcomes.
An EICR will provide you with peace of mind as well as empowering you to avert potential disaster in the future.
2. They may be required to validate your business insurance
In the event of a claim, many insurance companies are increasingly requesting that electrical testing is carried out and evidenced as part of the policy conditions. This can mean that pay-outs will not be granted without proof of electrical testing which indicates that your electrics are safe and regular testing has been carried out.
An EICR in this instance will help to show that an unfortunate incident was unavoidable and as a business you had done as much as you could to prevent it from happening.
3. They will save your business money
By carrying out an EICR via a trained and qualified electrician you will be able to identify an overloaded circuit or where equipment is overheating and drawing more energy, potentially costing your business huge amounts in wasted energy.
An EICR will provide you with recommendations for improved efficiency and could identify substantial savings.
4. It can help you to reduce your carbon footprint
Improved efficiency recommendations can also highlight areas that will help to reduce your businesses energy consumption by way of lighting, heating, or energy monitoring changes. As a business, you will then be able to weigh up if such recommendations are critical to safety or if they will be worth implementing in terms of other business benefits.
By keeping an eye on the performance of your electrical installations you have the ability to foresee problem areas and work to reduce your carbon footprint.
To book your Electrical Installation Condition Report, call 0800 909 8882 or request a quote online.
