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Industry Standards | Compliance Insights by TMUK Group Ltd
Electrical installations inevitably deteriorate over time through use and environmental factors[cite: 124]. Furthermore, inadequate or unsafe alterations and repairs may have been introduced since the last inspection[cite: 124]. To ensure the safety of both users and the installation itself, BS 7671 recommends periodic inspection and testing (Regulation 135.1)[cite: 125, 126].
The primary goal of this process is to detect factors that impair—or are likely to impair—the safety of the installation[cite: 147]. This includes protecting persons against electric shock and burns, and safeguarding property against fire and heat caused by defects[cite: 149, 150].
Periodic inspection and testing must only be performed by electrically skilled persons who are competent in such work[cite: 157]. At a minimum, an inspector must:
Every safety observation recorded during an inspection must be attributed one of four standard classification codes: C1, C2, C3, or FI[cite: 211, 214]. If multiple codes could apply, the inspector must use the most serious one (with C1 being the most critical)[cite: 215].
Definition: There is an immediate risk to persons using the installation. Immediate remedial action is required[cite: 213, 232, 233].
Action: The client must be advised immediately, both verbally and in writing, so that danger can be removed without delay (e.g., by switching off and isolating the affected circuit)[cite: 219, 234].
Example: Exposed live parts accessible to touch due to a missing blank in a consumer unit[cite: 296].
Definition: While not immediately dangerous at the time of inspection, it would become an immediate danger if a fault or foreseeable event were to occur[cite: 213, 237, 239].
Action: Urgent remedial action is required to remove the source of potential danger[cite: 213, 240].
Example: Absence of a reliable and effective means of earthing for the installation[cite: 296].
Definition: The inadequacy is not considered an immediate or potential danger, but an improvement would enhance the overall safety of the installation[cite: 213, 241].
Action: The client should give these observations due consideration for future safety enhancements[cite: 59].
Example: Absence of additional protection by an RCD for AC final circuits supplying luminaires in domestic premises[cite: 304].
Definition: The inspector has identified an issue that could reasonably reveal danger but cannot be fully determined within the agreed extent and limitations of the inspection[cite: 213, 247, 250].
Action: The issue must be investigated as soon as possible[cite: 250].
Note: If an observation is coded as FI, the overall assessment of the installation must be reported as Unsatisfactory[cite: 268].
After considering all observations, the inspector must give an overall assessment of the installation’s condition[cite: 266]:
| Overall Condition | Trigger Criteria |
|---|---|
| UNSATISFACTORY | Attributed if any observation is classified as C1, C2, or FI[cite: 268]. |
| SATISFACTORY | Attributed if there are no C1, C2, or FI observations recorded (only C3 observations or lower)[cite: 269, 271]. |
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