Testing and Inspection

EICs and MEIWCs 

 

Electrical Installation Certificates (EICs) and Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificates (MEIWCs).

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You should ensure that you receive and keep the paperwork for all completed electrical installation work and periodic inspection and testing. All certificates and reports should include schedules of inspections and test results.

The type of certification or report you receive depends on the extent and type of electrical installation work, or inspection and testing, that you have had carried out.

Electrical certification for new installations, alterations or additions

 

Electrical Installation Certificates (EICs) and Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificates (MEIWCs) provide you, as the person responsible for the safety of an electrical installation, with a declaration that the new installation, or alteration or addition, is safe to use at the time it was put into service.

Keeping hold of these certificates also provides a basis for any further inspection and testing, as they can help save on costly exploratory work which might otherwise be needed in future. Additionally, in the event of a claim that injury or fire was caused by an electrical installation, certificates are documentary evidence which help show that the installation had been installed to a satisfactory standard of safety.

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EICR Report

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Electrical Installation condition reports (EICR).

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Electrical installation must meet regulated standards in order to ensure safety. Faults with the fuse board, switches or sockets could cause electric shock or fire, causing injury and damage to occupants.

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According to a report by Electric Safety First, electricity fires affect 20,000 homes in the UK every year. Electrical products cause 89 per cent of the fires, while 11 per cent are caused by faulty wiring. Most of these incidents could be avoided by regular inspection and maintenance of electric systems.

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Electrical Installation condition reports (EICR) are provided as an official document given after an assessment by a qualified engineer or electrician. The assessment is based on the quality of your electrical installation, the electrics and cables will deteriorate over time. An electrical installation condition report should be carried out regularly and in accordance with electrical safety standards BS7671. The average time given in BS7671 is 5 Years although this time is recommended and generally only given if the installation is in good condition and is rented accommodation.

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The periodic inspection report (the old version of the EICR) will notify you about the status of the EICR. This will either be Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. This will be based on the condition of the installation. Any defaults are usually noted on page 2 of the electrical installation condition report, all defaults on the electrical installation report can be explained in much more detail by our qualified engineers (Electricians) if required.

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Fire Alarm Certificates

 

For commercial property, it is important to have fire alarm testing for safety purposes. The fire alarm testing is carried out in accordance with BS5839. BS5839 is a fire detection and fire alarm system regulation.

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On completion of your fire alarm testing, you will receive a fire alarm certificate. The fire alarm report is generally provided by quality companies that employ actual fire alarm engineers or the required electricians. The fire alarm report is similar to the electrical installation condition report.

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It is recommended to keep all fire alarm certificates in a safe place and that can readily be accessed as proof of compliance.

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Fire alarm testing should comply with BS5839, which is a legal requirement. It is advised to get the systems tested by skilled electricians and fire alarm engineers. It is recommended you undertake your own daily and weekly tests in conjunction with any other maintenance program you may have.

 

Did you know?

For Commercial Property; the Responsible Person for the premises; is to ensure that a Weekly Test of the building’s Fire Alarm (FA) System is carried out. This is under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (Article 17).

 

Fire Alarm Testing Daily Check List

 

• Alarm panel is in normal operation.

• Any fault warnings to be rectified.

• Visual inspection of panel.

 

Anyone can carry out daily checks, if there is a major problem then contact an electrician such as Apex Electrical Specialists.

 

Fire Alarm Testing Weekly Check List:

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• Same check as the daily check list.

• Sound an alarm each week, this ensures over time you check the whole fire alarm system

 

If problems are detected then an electrician such as Apex Electrical Specialists must be contacted to investigate. 

 

Any defects are to be recorded and the correct people to be contacted.

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More interesting facts…

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Fire Alarm Testing Checks 6 Monthly

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A full test of the fire alarm system should be carried out every 6 months. The test should be carried out by a competent person (Electrician or fire alarm engineer). The fire alarm test should be carried out in accordance with BS5839 part 1 section 6. Once the test is completed your fire alarm engineer should put it in your log book and provide a fire alarm report.

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Fire Alarm Testing and HMO Landlords

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It is now a duty for HMO Landlords to undertake a fire risk assessment for each property. This is under the regulatory reform (Fire Safety) order 2005.

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All Fire must be installed and maintained in accordance with BS5839. The regulations (BS5839) also highlight when your fire test is required in order to ensure your maintenance program is up to date. The system will differ in regards to the depth of fire alarm testing. It changes depending on the type of system. A grade D system will differ from and Grade A system.

 

General Systems Fire Alarm Testing

 

It is recommended that all detectors should be tested at least once a year to ensure that they respond to smoke, the fire alarm check carried out must be done so with equipment that will not contaminate the smoke detector. It is recommended that the test is carried out by a specialist fire alarm engineer and the fire alarm test should be recorded in the log book and a fire alarm certificate supplied on completion of the test.

 

Fixed Wire Testing on Fire Alarm Equipment

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It is very important to ensure your fire alarm system is installed correctly from an electrical point of view. The best practice for this is to ensure that an EICR report is carried out on the electrical system.

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By having an electrical inspection condition report carried out on your fire alarm installation you can rest assured that your wiring will be in a satisfactory condition. The fire alarm wiring is also an important part of your fire alarm report and this will not pass if the wiring is in a poor condition.

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Fire Alarm Certificate Check List

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Below is a list of things required for your Fire Alarm inspection. We request you follow this before an electrician arrives. This ensures you are ready for your Fire Alarm Certificate.

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• Ensure your electrician has access to the control panel. Any items blocking this will prevent the fire alarm inspection.

• Make sure your electrician can access the consumer unit. Any items blocking the consumer unit could prevent the emergency light inspection.

• Provide us a estimate of height for the control panel and consumer unit. This way we can bring appropriate ladders. This is to ensure access is adequate.

• Ensure the Fire alarms are live upon arrival. If there is no electricity we cant carry out the test.

• Report to us any known faults of the fire alarm panel. Also provide the make and model.

• Count the amount of fire alarm detectors; call points; Sounders and Panels we are testing; let us know the amount of items and locations. This is to ensure we do not miss any.

• Full tests may not be carried out in these circumstances; Early signs of dangers/recommendations present; Locations not available. If this happens you will still be charged.

• Provide any previous reports or drawing you have on the Fire Alarm Installation.

• Provide any previous electrical certificates or periodic inspection reports so we have an idea of the history of the electrical installation.

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Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)

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The PAT certificate provided by Apex Electrical includes a thorough safety assessment of all your portable electrical appliances.

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If the appliance’s condition fulfills industry standards, our electrician will grant you a PAT certificate, which you will receive electronically.

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If your appliance is malfunctioning, you will receive a comprehensive report outlining precisely what needs to be done to meet current safety standards. This could mean replacing or repairing the appliance. The electrician will stick a PASS or FAIL label to the appliance. The label will show the date of the last inspection and the date of the next test, together with the electrician’s name and contact details. 

 
Please note that there will be additional costs if you require the following: 

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• Any repairs or replacements 

• The cost of re-inspecting any of the failures detailed on your PAT certificate