Frequency of Inspection and Testing
The frequency of periodic inspection and testing must be determined taking into account:
- the type of installation
- its use and operation
- the frequency and quality of maintenance
- the external influences to which it is subjected
The table below provides guidance on the frequency of formal inspections of electrical installations as well as routine checks.
| Type of Installation | Routine Check | Maximum Period between inspections and testing as necessary | Reference (see notes below) |
General installation
| Domestic | N/A | change of occupancy/10 years | N/A |
| Commercial | 1 year |
change of occupancy/5 years | 1,2 |
| Educational establishments | 4 months | 5 years | 1,2 |
| Hospitals | 1 year | 5 years | 1,2 |
| Industrial | 1 year | 3 years | 1,2 |
| Residential accommodation | at change of occupancy/ 1 year | 5 years | 1 |
| Offices | 1 year | 5 years | 1,2 |
| Shops | 1 year | 5 years | 1,2 |
| Laboratories | 1 year | 5 years | 1,2 |
Buildings open to the public
| Cinemas | 4 months | 1 year | 2,6,7 |
| Church installations | 1 year | 5 years (quinquenially) | 2 |
| Leisure complexes | 4 months | 1 year | 1,2,6 |
| Places of public entertainment | 1 year | 5 years | 1,2,6 |
| Restaurants and hotels | 4 months | 1 year | 1,2,6 |
| Theatres | 4 months | 1 year | 2,6,7 |
| Public houses | 1 year | 5 years | 1,2,6 |
| Village halls/Community centres | 1 year | 5 years | 1,2 |
External installations
| Agricultural and horticultural | 1 year | 3 years | 1,2 |
| Caravans | 1 year | 3 years | N/A |
| Caravan parks |
6 months | 1 year | 1,2,6 |
| Highway power supplies | as convenient | 6 years | N/A |
| Marinas | 4 months | 1 year | 1,2 |
| Fish farms | 4 months | 1 year | 1,2 |
| Emergency lighting | daily/monthly | 3 years | 2,3,4 |
| Fire alarms | daily/weekly/monthly | 1 year | 2,4,5 |
| Laundrettes | 1 year | 1 year | 1,2,6 |
| Petrol filling stations | 1 year | 1 year | 1,2,6 |
| Construction site installations | 3 months | 3 months |
1,2 |
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