Commercial Electrical Maintenance & Testing discussed by BPS Facilities

Electrical maintenance for your commercial property or business includes testing, repairing, and replacing elements of an electrical system. Our Commercial Electrical Maintenance & Testing article will tell you everything you need to know and the things you should consider when it comes to your commercial property or business electrics.

Importance of Commercial Electrical Maintenance & Testing

It’s easy to take for granted your electrics when it comes to running your business but being without electricity can cause major issues to your operation as well as safety issues.

Commercial Electrical Maintenance & Testing to Keep Your Property Safe

Any electrics and commercial electrical systems can be extremely dangerous if they aren’t maintained and tested regularly so it’s an important factor to consider and plan into your commercial property or business’s maintenance plans.

When you own a commercial property or are a business owner then you have a responsibility to keep it safe for your employees, customers, and/or tenants. One of the best ways to ensure the safety of your commercial properties electrics is to have regular electrical maintenance checks and tests completed by a qualified and registered commercial electrician. Even the smallest of problems with an electrical system can be extremely unsafe and cause fire, kill or severely harm people through electric shocks, burns, fires and explosions which can sometimes be a direct result of deterioration of electrics and equipment, damage to switches, sockets and other appliances, misuse of equipment or inadequate maintenance and as a commercial property owner or employer you can be held accountable for any injuries that happen or damage to a property.

The Landlord and Tenant Act (1985) states, as a landlord you have a legal duty to ensure the property that you are letting out and any electrical equipment provided are safe before a tenancy begins and throughout its duration. There is no legal requirement for regular electrical safety inspections in residential properties, however, for Landlords, the Electrical Safety Council state, commercial property should be inspected a minimum of every five years, or when there is a change of tenancy and this has to be done by a registered electrical safety engineer. Electrical maintenance and testing will identify any issues with an electrical system so they can be repaired before further damage occurs which could cause injury and costly and significant damage to property.

Commercial Electrical Maintenance & Testing Keeps Your Electrical Equipment & Systems Reliable

Whether you are a commercial property owner or a business owner you will rely on your electrical supply to keep your property warm, keep IT systems, electrical appliances and equipment working effectively. Regular maintenance of your commercial electrics will also prolong its life and prevent repairs being needed or whole wiring systems needing to be replaced.

Commercial Electrical Maintenance & Testing Prevents Major Electrical Problems

You may not be aware that you have an electrical problem until it is too late, and without knowing it there may be problems developing that if not found and resolved will often lead to more expensive repairs and even electrical fires. Having your electrics regularly maintained and tested will identify any problems and ensure they can be repaired before they turn into a major issue and become more costly. Commercial electricians will have the experience and expertise to diagnose and repair problems that would otherwise go unnoticed until they become critical issues.

Commercial Electrical Maintenance & Testing Legislation

In summary, it is a legal requirement for all landlords to comply with electrical safety standards when letting out commercial or residential property, and employers are responsible for ensuring the safety and health of their employees and also the public if they are at risk from those work activities and this includes electrical safety.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005)

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005) imposes various duties on the “responsible person” with regards to fire safety in commercial properties. The “Responsible Person” is defined as the employer in a workplace, the person who has the responsibility of the premises, or the owner where the premises is not a workplace.

The responsibility of commercial property landlords under the Fire Safety Order (2005) includes taking fire precautions to ensure that anyone renting and people who use the commercial property are safe in the event of a fire. Landlords should carry out a full fire risk assessment and regularly review it ensuring that the property is adequately maintained, and any fire safety equipment, emergency routes and fire exits are adequate and as they should be. Fire safety risk assessments should also include the supply of fire safety equipment. Any person found guilty of non-compliance with the Fire Safety Order (2005) is at risk of a fine and in severe cases, imprisonment in the event of any Crown Court proceedings.

The health and safety of a commercial property should be a major priority for any landlord and or tenant and ensuring you meet the responsibilities and obligations of the Fire Safety Order (2005) protects you from negligence charges and insurance claims, as well as being a safe, reputable and responsible landlord.

Alarming Electrical Fire Facts

Research from the Department for Communities and Local Government estimates that each year there are around 20,000 accidental electrical fires, causing approximately 50 deaths and 3,500 injuries.

Electrical Laws and Regulations – HSE (Health & Safety Executive) and Electrical Safety

The Health and Safety Executive also referred to as the HSE is an independent regulator that aims to prevent work-related death, injury and ill-health.

You can find full electrical safety details here.

Under UK law the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSW Act) in Great Britain or the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 in Northern Ireland employers are responsible for ensuring the safety and health of their employees and also the public if they are at risk from those work activities. This includes electrical safety.

Electrical Inspectors aim to reduce the number of electrical accidents by enforcing the law, providing advice on good working practices, and developing guidance in response to technical changes in equipment and working methods.

Electrical Inspectors work in cooperation with other responsible bodies including The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), Local Authority Standards departments and The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem).

Electricity Supply
The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) enforces the continuity and quality aspects of the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002. For further information contact the DECC Inspectorate at DECC. HSE enforces the safety aspects of these regulations. There are particular reporting requirements placed on distributors under these regulations, these are separate to reporting requirements under RIDDOR.

The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) looks after the interests of electricity consumers. This is principally a financial role, monitoring electricity generation, distribution and supply. For further information contact Ofgem.

The address of your nearest Health and Safety Executive office can be found on the HSE’s website. For some workplaces (such as offices, shops, hotels, many warehouses) the Local Authority enforces electrical safety regulations, generally its environmental services department. HSE and the Local Authorities work together to provide consistent advice and enforcement by means of a liaison committee (HELA).
Annual electrical accident statistics in the workplace can be found in the HSE Annual Report and in the HSE Health and Safety Statistics, also published each year.

Commercial Electrical Maintenance & Testing

What is the British standard for electrical installation?

BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) sets the standards for electrical installation in the UK and many other countries. The IET co-publishes BS 7671 with the British Standards Institution (BSI) and is the authority on electrical installation.

What is the British Standard?

The British Standards Institution (BSI) is a service organisation that produces standards across a wide variety of industry sectors. A British standard is a minimum standard that a product must be manufactured or installed in accordance with before it is recognised by the relevant authorities as a quality product or installation.

About BPS Facilities Commercial Electrical Maintenance & Testing Services

BSP Facilities Ltd electrical maintenance division specialises in all aspects of planned and reactive services across South Wales and the whole of the UK.

Some of our large scale commercial buildings and operational customers have their own onsite electricians who manage any day to day issues, however, they call on our specialist commercial electricians when the issue is beyond the day-to-day running of the property. Some of our customers with smaller facilities find it more financially economical to use us for their scheduled electrical maintenance and servicing and this ensures their electrical systems and equipment are always in good and safe working order taking the concern away from them. At BPS we offer full electrical maintenance contracts, as well as ad hoc emergency repair services and we will work alongside you to find the best solution for your business or commercial property.

We have a team of experienced electrical engineers, electrical designers and a customer-focused office team who are on hand to take your call 365 days a year, 24 hours a day if you need us and we offer full property maintenance whatever your need is.

We offer periodic electrical inspection and testing services for individual premises or multiple sites and estates and our services include:

  • Commercial Office & Industrial Installations
  • Remedial Specification & Installation
  • Interior and Exterior Lighting
  • Power and Distribution Installation
  • Fire Alarm and Security Systems
  • Periodic Inspection and Test Services
  • Electric heating & Hot Water heating specialists
  • Energy consumption advice & recommendations

Why Choose BPS for your Commercial Electrical Maintenance & Testing?

  • We offer the highest standards of service which is reliable service and that you can trust
  • We have a fully qualified, experienced and local commercial electrician team
  • Our in-house customer service team are available to take your call 365 days a year, 24 hours a day
  • Our in-house customer service and trade teams are trustworthy and reliable and customer service is a priority for all of us at BPS
  • We have a competitive pricing structure that can be used to match your businesses needs and budget requirements
  • We have high standards of professionalism, workmanship and customer satisfaction

If you are looking for Commercial Electrical Maintenance & Testing Services in South Wales or anywhere in the UK, contact us today on 029 20 484114 and we can answer any question you may have, or arrange to come out to your business or commercial property to discuss your electrical or facility management requirements.