Hi all

A quick question

Are 5 year fixed wiring test a statutory test or is it like PAT testing e:g you dont have to do it but you need to make sure your wiring is safe/compliant?

Cheers

Speak with your insurers, 

there is different guidlines depending on the nature of business.

we used to do it every 5 years (20% PA), but the insurance company now request every 3 years, so we now do (33%, 33% and 34%)

Allianz Electrical Services

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

Regulation 4(2)

Regulation 4(2) is concerned with the need for maintenance to be done to ensure safety of the system, rather than with the activity of doing the maintenance in a safe manner (which is required by regulation 4(3)).

The obligation to maintain arises only if danger would otherwise result. The maintenance should be sufficient to prevent danger so far as is reasonably practicable.

Inspection and, where necessary, testing of equipment is an essential part of any preventive maintenance programme. Practical experience of use may indicate an adjustment to the frequency at which preventive maintenance needs to be carried out. This is a matter for the judgement of the dutyholder, who should seek all the information they need to make this judgement including reference to the equipment manufacturer’s guidance.

As much as I would love the recommendaiton in BS7671 to have a Periodic Inspection of the electrical installation done and the supporting evidence in IET Guidance Note 3 to be law, unfortuately neither are.

The legal requirement is under EAWR as has already been said.

Again others have mentioned your business insurers may have a requirement, however, that does not absolve you from getting the installatin repaired and maintained competently and correctly between EICR's.

Also note that if you are going down the compliance with BS7671 route to illustrate compliance with EAWR, then any modifications or additions must be undertaken by competent persons and certified in accordance with BS7671.

It can be done in house if you have competent staff and the right test equipment to meet the requirements of BS7671.

Whilst like for like maintenance does not require certification against BS7671, it is recommended that this is undertaken, or at least an alternative document to the Minor Works Certificate is utililsed to capture any relevant information to prove that the installation remains safe folowing the maintenance.