Why periodic checks for safety are mandatory for a commercial property
Fully qualified and trained electricians need to carry out electrical inspections on commercial properties. The latest testing equipment is used. The equipment wouldn’t be any good if it were faulty, so that too is checked regularly. Specialist electricians carry out the safety checks; they know how to use the latest testing equipment. They pick up on faults that less experienced, less specialised electricians may not notice. Visual inspection alone won’t pick up on internal faults. No one can see inside walls and appliances, but the equipment can. Electrical testing by trained professions is a simple way to keep commercial properties health and safety compliant.
According to Hexo Electrical Testing, faults found are classed according to how dangerous they are:
C1 – Danger Present, Urgent Attention Require
C2 – Potential for Danger, Requires Improvement
C3 – Does not comply but not Unsafe
FI – Requires further Investigation, may lead to C1 or C2
Fire hazard.
No one wants a building to go up in smoke because a wire was a bit frayed. A safety inspection will pick up on this. If you don’t have your emergency lights checked, anyone in the building in the event of a fire may not be able to find their way to safety. Do you know what equipment would need to be shut down in an emergency? Specialist electricians do. Trained electricians will carry out tests to ensure the safety of the wiring and look for any hot spots.
Workplace accidents.
Workplace accidents can be prevented if faulty electrics are discovered before they become a serious issue. Inspections need to be carried out every five years to be compliant with the law, Electricity at Work Regulations (1989). Most employers opt to have a portion of the building inspected each year, so by the time five years have passed; the entire building has been inspected. Electric shock injury can be fatal and can be caused by something as simple as a frayed wire.
Insurance.
Many insurers insist on checks. If an avoidable accident happens and an electrical fault is a probable cause, it is a criminal offence. Insurers won’t pay out when a criminal offence has occurred.
Make sure appliances are safe for use.
Much like the wires running through the walls, appliances can develop general wear and tear faults. PAT testing is carried out on small appliances in accordance with Hеаlth & Safety Work Aсt оf 1974. Each device will be given a label with the date it tested and when it is due to another inspection. The labels are simple to understand with “pass”, “fail” or “visual inspection only” written on them.
Health and Safety Regulations.
The wiring in the walls and appliances needs to be compliant with the latest regulations. Emergency lighting and fire alarms need to work to keep employees safe in an emergency. If there is an accident, an Electrical Inspection Condition Report can prove the property was up to date, and insurance will payout.
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