Commercial Electrical Maintenance: A Guide for Businesses

For businesses, maintaining the electrical installation in good working order is not just a matter of convenience. It is a legal requirement and a fundamental aspect of health and safety management. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require employers to ensure that all electrical systems are maintained so as to prevent danger.

Planned preventative maintenance (PPM) is the most effective way to ensure that your electrical installation remains safe and reliable. A PPM programme involves regular scheduled inspections and testing of your electrical installation, carried out by a qualified electrician. The frequency of inspections will depend on the type of premises and the nature of the electrical installation.

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the formal document that records the condition of your electrical installation. For commercial premises, the recommended frequency is every 5 years, or more frequently for higher-risk environments such as industrial premises or those with a high turnover of tenants.

Emergency lighting is a critical safety system in commercial premises. It must be tested regularly to ensure it will function correctly in the event of a power failure. The relevant standard is BS 5266, which requires monthly function tests and annual full duration tests. Records of all tests must be kept.

Fire alarm systems must also be regularly tested and maintained. The relevant standard is BS 5839, which requires weekly tests of the alarm call points and annual inspection and testing by a qualified engineer.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is the process of inspecting and testing portable electrical appliances to ensure they are safe to use. While there is no specific legal requirement for PAT testing, it is widely recognised as best practice and is required by many insurance policies and contracts.

I provide commercial electrical maintenance services for businesses across Wigan and the North West. I can develop a bespoke PPM programme for your premises and carry out all necessary inspections and testing. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation consultation.