The recommended frequency of Fixed Wire Testing varies between 1 and 5 years depending upon the business type, so how often do you need to test your workplace?
Fixed Wire Testing, also known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), checks that your electrical installations or circuits conform to the latest wiring regulations, in order to ensure you are compliant with relevant workplace safety legislation.
The frequency of testing is specified in the latest version of the IET Wiring Regulations (currently BS7671:2018) and is determined by;
- The type of installation
- How often it is used
- The external influences or environment to which the electrical installation is exposed.
For many commercial businesses, an EICR, which used to be called a periodic testing report, will be required at the lowest frequency interval – every 5 Years. However, higher risk environments will require 3 Yearly or even more frequent testing.
It should be noted that all stated periods are maximum intervals. Deterioration of the installation may indicate a need to reduce the interval between testing.
5 Year Fixed Wire Testing
Most standard workplace environments need an Electrical Installation Condition Report to be produced at least every 5 years. However, there should be regular routine inspections conducted at least annually.
Typical workplaces which require 5 Yearly Fixed Wire Testing include:
- Commercial spaces such as offices and retail outlets
- Hotels and restaurants (excluding spa hotels)
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Laboratories
- Community centres, churches and public houses
- Care homes and hospitals (excluding medical locations)
- Halls of residence, houses of multiple occupancy
3 Year or 1 Year Fixed Wire Testing
Environments which, for example, are exposed to moisture, dust, extreme temperatures or which are open to the general public constitute a higher risk and therefore require more frequent testing. These workplaces require testing every 1 -3 years, with more frequent routine inspections also required.
Typical workplaces or environments which require 3 or 1 year Fixed Wire Testing include:
- Spa hotels and leisure centres – 3 years
- Industrial Units – 3 years
- Theatres and places of public entertainment – 3 years
- Caravans – 3 years
- Cinemas – 1 year (front of house), 3 years (back of house)
- Agricultural or horticultural establishments – 3 years
- Medical locations in hospitals or clinics – 1 year
- Swimming pools and saunas – 1 year
- Caravan Parks and Marinas – 1 year
- Fish Farms, Laundrettes, Petrol Stations – 1 year
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My Specific Business Type isn’t listed
Manufacturing, warehouses, workshops and maintenance garages generally fall under the industrial category (3 years) if they utilise heavy machinery, but if you are unsure which category your business falls into, please contact Intersafe today to speak to a member of our team for advice.
My organisation has elements with different testing intervals
That isn’t unusual – often there are elements within a single organisation, or even building, with different testing frequencies, for example a hotel (5 years) with a swimming pool (1 year), or a manufacturing plant (3 years) with offices (5 years), or a leisure centre (3 years) with sauna (1 year).
Each element should be inspected at the appropriate frequency. Intersafe’s experienced team will work with you to develop an inspection and testing schedule to take account of these different testing intervals in order to maximise efficiency and minimise disruption to your business.
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