Inspection and Testing

SQS Electrical is commited to the safety of all our customers and their property. We offer a comprehensive Inspection and Testing service carried out to standards set down in BS7671.Our inspector is fully qualified to C&G 2391 Inspection and Testing. On completion of the test a detailed report is printed out for the customer.

 SQS Electrical is happy to provide a no obligation quote with regards to any remedial work that is required, small jobs can sometimes be rectified during the inspection at no extra cost to the customer.

For our domestic customers the importance of a pre purchase inspection and test could be invaluable, not only to ensure the installation is safe to current standards but also potential expensive rewires can be identified prior to purchase. It is recommended that all homes should be checked at least every 10 years, to ensure compliance with current standards. If you are at all unsure then SQS Electrical offers a Visual Inspection service with recommendations at a reduced cost.

Please Remember-

(i) legislation requires that electrical installations are maintained in a safe condition and therefore must be periodically inspected and tested.

(ii) licencing authorities, public bodies, insurance companies, mortgage lenders and others may require periodic inspection and testing of electrical installations.

(iii) Additionally, periodic inspection and testing should be considered:

...(a) to assess compliance with BS 7671 (IEE wiring regulations)

...(b) on a change of occupancy of the premises

...(c) on a change of use of the premises

...(d) after  alterations or additions to the original installation

..(e) because of any significant change in the electrical loading of the installation

...(f) where there is reason to believe that damage may have been caused to the installation  

Where diagrams, charts or tables are not available, a degree of exploratory work is normally necessary so that inspection and testing can be carried out safely and effectively.

A survey may be necessary to identify switchgear, controlgear and the circuits they control.

Landlords have a requirement under law to ensure the safety of their properties, at the very least a full inspection and test every 5 years or on change of tenant. Commercial customers need to ensure the safety of the electrical installation. SQS Electrical is able to to offer an unobtrusive service to you and will endeavour to cause minimum disruption. An out of hours service is availiable to our business and landlord customers. 

What is a competent person

A person who has acquired through training, qualification, experience or a combination of these, the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the task required. 

Periodic Inspections

Periodic inspections are the formally recognised way of assessing an existing installation. More information on what happens during an inspection is provided by the electrical safety council on their website Here.

Whether you require a pre- purchase inspection and test or visual inspection only on your new home, a periodic inspection and test on a property you intend to let or a commercial premises requiring inspection and testing then contact SQS Electrical.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)

Employers and landlords have a further responsibility to ensure the safety of portable appliances. PAT Testing is considered a method of ensuring these appliances are safe to comply with the Electricity at Work Act 1989.

We use modern equipment and provide printed reports detailing all appliances. Plug tops, flexes and fuses can be replaced where necessary.

We are sensitive to your requirements and are happy to discuss your requirements.

User Checks

Most faults or damage can be found just by looking. Users should be encouraged to look critically at the electrical equipment in their own working environment. Staff should be given straightforward training and instruction on how to carry out a simple visual check before using any electrical appliance.

After disconnecting, the signs to look out for on the equipment, cable and plug are:

• damage, such as cuts or abrasions to the cable covering;
• damage to the plug such as the casing is cracked or the pins are bent;
• non-proprietary joints, including taped, in the cable;
• the outer covering of the cable not being gripped where it enters the plug or equipment. Look to see if the coloured insulation of the internal wires is showing;
• equipment that has been used in conditions where it is not suitable, such as a wet or dusty workplace;
• damage to the outer cover of the equipment or obvious loose parts or screws;
• overheating (burn marks)

Checks should be undertaken when the equipment is taken into use and during use. Any faults should be reported to the management and the equipment taken out of use immediately.

Visual Inspections

Visual inspections should be carried out by a competent member of staff who knows what to look at, what to look for and how to avoid danger to themselves and others. This type of inspection does not require the use of any specialist test equipment as it is purely a visual inspection. The inspection should include, when disconnected from the mains supply, the removal of the plug cover and checking that:

• The cord grip is holding the outer part of the cable tightly
• The wires, including the earth wire where fitted, are attached to the correct terminals
• No bare wire is visible other than at the terminals
• The terminal screws are tight
• There is no sign of internal damage, overheating, dust or dirt

This visual inspection should not include taking the equipment itself apart since this will take a lot more time, could damage the equipment and may be dangerous.

Combined Inspections and Tests

The checks carried out as above will have identified most (but not all) potentially dangerous faults - some deterioration of the cable, its terminals and the equipment itself can be expected after significant use. Equipment may also be misused or abused to the extent that it may give rise to danger. Testing, together with a thorough visual inspection can detect faults such as loss of earth integrity like a broken earth wire within a flexible cable, or deterioration of insulation integrity or contamination of internal or external surfaces.

The IEE Code of Practice give comprehensive information on the frequency of inspection and testing of equipment, such as:

Premises	Type of Equipment	User checks	Class I*		Class II**
			Formal visual inspection	Combined inspection & testing	Formal visual inspection	Combined inspection & testing
Industrial, including commercial kitchens	Stationary	weekly	None	1 year	None	1 year
	IT equipment	weekly	None	1 year	None	1 year
	Moveable	before use	1 month	1 year	3 months	1 year
	Portable	before use	1 month	6 months	3 months	6 months
	Handheld	before use	1 month	6 months	3 months	6 months
Equipment used by the public	Stationary	Note+	1 month	1 year	3 months	1 year
	IT equipment	Note+	1 month	1 year	3 months	1 year
	Moveable	Note+	weekly	6 months	1 month	1 year
	Portable	Note+	weekly	6 months	1 month	1 year
	Handheld	Note+	weekly	6 months	1 month	1 year

Note+: For some equipment such as children's rides, a daily check may be necessary by supervisory, teacher or member of staff

The following types of electrical equipment are covered:

• Portable Appliances - An appliance of less than 18kg in mass that is intended to be moved while in operation, or an appliance which can easily be move from one place to another such as a toaster, food mixer, vacuum cleaner, fan heater.
• Moveable Equipment - This is equipment which is either 18kg or less and not fixed such as electric fire, or equipment with wheels or other means to facilitate movement, such as an air conditioning unit
• Handheld Appliances - This is portable equipment intended to be held in the hand during normal use, such as hair dryer, drill, soldering iron.
• Stationary Equipment - This equipment has a mass exceeding 18kg and is not provided with a carrying handle, such as a refrigerator, washing machine
• Fixed Equipment - This is equipment which is fastened to a support or otherwise secured in a specified location, such as a bathroom heater, towel rail