The 5-year electrical testing rule applies to commercial, office, retail and educational properties. Fixed wire testing involves testing and inspecting the electrical systems and installations within a building.
Following testing, you will be issued an electrical certificate of compliance, certifying the condition of the entire electrical system within your premises, including electrical wiring, circuits, accessories, and connections.
Regular testing of a building’s wiring structure and maintenance is required by law under The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671:2008.
The frequency of testing required for compliance varies between environments.
| Hospitals and Clinics | Routine check | Maximum interval between testing |
Hospitals and medical clinics –
| 1 year
6 months | 5 years
1 year |
What is a ‘routine check’?
Routine checks are used between formal fixed wire tests to ensure the safe performance of electrical installations. This involves a visual inspection and checking the operation of the equipment to identify issues such as wear & tear, general deterioration, and loose or missing parts.
Why are fixed wire tests needed?
Fixed wire testing checks the condition of the electrics against the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations, BS 7671. Each circuit’s cable and accessories is inspected for visual damage and wear and tear, followed by a series of tests to verify the wiring is safe and the circuit is wired correctly.
Fixed wire testing is a legal requirement for any organisation to ensure compliance with legal requirements to ensure the building’s electrical system is safe, maintained, and tested by competent, qualified individuals. In doing so you are ensuring the provision of a safe and hazard-free environment for employees, visitors, and the public at large.
Fixed wire testing is also usually mandatory for insurance purposes.
Fixed wire testing should be performed by competent persons which would usually mean a qualified electrical engineer.