Testing Intervals
Testing Intervals
The frequency of periodic inspection and testing must be determined taking into account:
- the type of installation
- its use and operation
- the frequency and quality of maintenance
- the external influences to which it is subjected
The table below provides guidance on the frequency of formal inspections of electrical installations as well as routine checks.
Type of Installation | Routine check | Maximum period between inspections and testing as necessary | Reference (see notes below) |
General installation | |||
Domestic | N/A | change of occupancy/10 years | N/A |
Commercial | 1 year | change of occupancy/5 years | 1,2 |
Educational establishments | 6 months | 5 years | 1,2 |
Hospitals | 1 year | 5 years | 1,2 |
Industrial | 1 year | 3 years | 1,2 |
Residential accommodation | at change of occupancy/ 1 year | 5 years | 1 |
Offices | 1 year | 5 years | 1,2 |
Shops | 1 year | 5 years | 1,2 |
Laboratories | 1 year | 5 years | 1,2 |
Buildings open to the public | |||
Cinemas | 1 year | 1-3 years | 2,6,7 |
Church installations | 1 year | 5 years (quinquenially) | 2 |
Leisure complexes | 4 months | 3 years | 1,2,6 |
Places of public entertainment | 1 year | 5 years | 1,2,6 |
Restaurants and hotels | 1 year | 5 years | 1,2,6 |
Theatres | 1 year | 3 years | 2,6,7 |
Public houses | 1 year | 5 years | 1,2,6 |
Village halls/Community centres | 1 year | 5 years | 1,2 |
External installations | |||
Agricultural and horticultural | 1 year | 3 years | 1,2 |
Swimming pools | 4 months | 1 year | N/A |
Caravan parks | 6 months | 1 year | 1,2,6 |
Highway power supplies | as convenient | 6 years | N/A |
Marinas | 4 months | 1 year | 1,2 |
Fish farms | 4 months | 1 year | 1,2 |
Emergency lighting | daily/monthly | 3 years | 2,3,4 |
Fire alarms | daily/weekly/monthly | 1 year | 2,4,5 |
Laundrettes | 1 month | 1 year | 1,2,6 |
Petrol filling stations | 1 year | 1 year | 1,2,6 |
Construction site installations | 3 months | 3 months | 1,2 |
Reference Key
- Particular attention must be taken to comply with S1 1988 No 1057. The Electricity Supply Regulations 1988.
- S1 1988 N0 635 The Electricity at Work Regulations.
- See BS5266: Part : 1988 Code of practice for the emergency lighting.
- Other intervals are recommended for testing operation of batteries and generators.
- See BS 5839: Part 1: 1988 Code of practice for system design installation and servicing.
- Local Authority Conditions of Licence.
- S1 1995 No 1129 (Clause 27) The Cinematography (Safety) Regulations