15.1 introduction scope and statutory requirements · pdf file15.1 introduction scope and...

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Guide to the Wiring Regulations

15 Appendix 15 – Notes on periodic inspecting and testing

15.1 Introduction scope and statutory requirements

After an electrical installation is constructed, commissioned and put into service it

must be maintained to keep it in a safe condition. The statutory requirements for

health and safety at work are covered by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act

1974, and through this act the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EWR) provides

the basic statutory framework for electrical safety in the workplace (but they do not

apply to domestic installations). The EWR are not voltage dependant and cover all

electrical systems from battery operated torches to the national grid.

There are some terms that are central to the understanding of these requirements,

and for ease of reference they are listed below. Most are from the EWR, but some

are supplemented by Part 2 of BS 7671: 2008 and are as follows:

Duty holderA person on whom statutory or other duties are imposed by statutory regulations

or other (usually contractual) requirements. (The duty holder may or may not be

a ‘competent person’).

Competent personA person who possesses suffi cient technical knowledge and experience for the

nature of the electrical work undertaken, and is able at all times to prevent danger,

and where appropriate injury, to themselves and others.

DangerRisk of injury.

InjuryDeath or personal injury from electrical shock, electric burn, electrical explosion or

arcing, or from fi re or explosion initiated by electrical energy, where any such death

or injury is associated with the generation, provision, transmission, transformation,

rectifi cation, conversion, conduction, distribution, control, storage, measurement

or use of electrical energy.

SystemAn electrical system in which all the electrical equipment is, or may be, electrically

connected to a common source of electrical energy, and includes such source and

such equipment. (It includes all the electrical installations, switchgear, luminaires,

equipment, accessories, fi ttings, appliances and controls etc.).

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Appendices

Electrical equipmentAny item for such purposes as generation, conversion, transmission, distribution

or utilisation of electrical energy, such as machines, transformers, apparatus,

measuring instruments, protective devices, wiring systems, accessories, appliances

and luminaires.

Regulation 4(2) of the Electricity at Work Regulations requires:

‘As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as

to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger.’

Someone must be responsible for an electrical installation. For a domestic

installation, this is the householder and for an electrical installation at a place of

work, the responsible person is usually a nominated person (the duty holder). Often

no one is specifi cally nominated, but someone must have control (e.g. the offi ce

manager or other manager who gets an electrical contractor in to do some work)

and this person or these persons will assume the position, usually by default, and

the law will presume that they are duty holders.

It is for the installation duty holder to decide, by a risk assessment, as to what

danger can arise and what maintenance is required to prevent danger. The

statutory obligation to maintain at work arises only if danger would otherwise

result, although there is the practical reason to maintain to keep a building in

good condition. The quantity and frequency of statutory maintenance should be

suffi cient to prevent danger so far as is reasonably practicable.

There is no statutory duty to maintain in a domestic environment, but insurers

may not pay claims if they can show that an installation was not safe.

15.2 BS 7671: 2008 requirements

On the electrical installation certifi cate of a new installation advice is given for the

time period at which the installation should have its fi rst periodic inspection and

test. This is based on the considered advice from a number of parties, as identifi ed

in Chapter 34 of BS 7671: 2008 which states:

• An assessment is to be made of the frequency and quality of maintenance of

the reasonable expectation of the installation

• The responsible person shall be consulted

• Periodic inspection and testing as well as maintenance and repairs shall be

considered

• The assessment shall consider the effectiveness of the protective measures

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15.3 Information and records

Before any periodic inspection and testing work can be undertaken (or even priced),

the scope of the installation and the required work must be identifi ed. There

should be several existing sources of information about the electrical installation,

but if necessary the inspector must survey the building and identify the installation

arrangement and circuits before any meaningful inspection and testing work can

be undertaken.

15.3.1 Operation and maintenance documentsWhen commissioned and set to work operation and maintenance documentation,

including record drawings and an electrical installation certifi cate is issued for a new

installation. BS 7671: 2008 lists the information that should be available in section

514 and these amount to circuit diagrams. For most commercial installations a

single line diagram is usually essential.

Statutory legislation including the Construction Design and Management

Regulations 1994 (revised 2007) and the Building Regulations (England and

Wales) require adequate health and safety, operation and maintenance, and record

drawings documents be provided by the installer. In essence the information that

should be available should allow the safe and proper operation and maintenance of

the building and its services. These health and safety requirements do not apply to

domestic installations, which are usually a lot simpler, but the Building Regulations

and NHBC guidance still require adequate records, and the requirements of

section 514 of BS 7671: 2008 still apply.

The new Home Information Packs may also contain a Home Condition Report

as an optional document, which will give details about the physical condition of

a dwelling. At the time or writing, it was not clear if this report would contain

electrical information, but if it does sellers, buyers and lenders will be able to rely

on it as an accurate document.

An electrical installation certifi cate must accompany each new work in a

commercial building and if it is ‘notifi able’ (see 15.3.2 below), the required CDM

Health & Safety fi le, as well as general Operation & Maintenance and record

information. The CDM H&S fi le must be retained by the building owner, for

the life of the building, and thus this provides a valuable source of information

for building modifi cations and inspections. Unfortunately, this information is not

always available when required!

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Appendices

15.3.2 Health and safety filesThe CDM Health and Safety Files are the means by which health and safety

information is recorded and kept for future use at the end of a construction project.

The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 1994 and 2007 require

that the fi le includes adequate information about any aspect of the structure or

materials used which might affect the health or safety of anyone carrying out

construction, maintenance, cleaning or demolition work or of anyone who may

be affected by such work.

The fi le will contain information necessary for future construction, maintenance,

refurbishment or demolition to be carried out safely, and is retained by the client

or any future owner of the property. (Where a client gets non-notifi able work done,

and a health and safety fi le already exists for the premises, it should be updated if

necessary). The fi le should be a useful and valuable document for the client and

any persons with a professional interest in the building, and since 1994 should

provide the required information on the building.

Work undertaken by a local authority or a domestic householder is exempt from

the CDM Regulations.

For any notifi able project under the CDM Regulations (defi ned as projects where

the production stage on site will exceed 30 days or 500 person days) a health and

safety fi le must be prepared at the completion of the works and retained by the

owner of the works. When the project is fi nished and the health and safety fi le has

been handed over by the planning supervisor, the client should keep it available for

those who need to use it.

Usually this will include maintenance contractors, the planning supervisor and

contractors preparing or carrying out future construction work. Its purpose is to

provide the end user with information about the risks that have to be managed

during maintenance, repair, renovation or demolition.

This fi le must be made available to anyone doing any future work on the structure.

Guidance to the regulations recommends that the fi le include:

• ‘record’ or ‘as built’ drawings and plans used and produced throughout the

construction process;

• the design criteria;

• general details of the construction methods and materials used;

• details of the equipment and maintenance facilities within the structure;

• maintenance procedures and requirements for the structure;

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• manuals produced by specialist contractors and suppliers which outline

operating and maintenance procedures and schedules for plant and equipment

installed as part of the structure;

• details of the location and nature of utilities and services, including emergency

and fi re-fi ghting systems.

Ideally, the health and safety fi le should be kept available for inspection on the

premises to which it relates. It may be useful to store the health and safety fi le

so that it is in two parts. One part will be more relevant for day-to-day use, e.g.

operational and maintenance manuals. The other part will be for longer-term

use, e.g. drawings that will only be required when major alteration work is carried

out. The health and safety fi le could be stored electronically but it should be easily

accessible in whatever form it is stored, and for a big project the documentation

could run to many volumes but the system must be searchable. Over the course of

time an installation will be modifi ed, extended or perhaps parts replaced due to

changes in use of parts of the building. O&M documentation and drawings must

be kept up to date or supplemented as the building changes over time, or it will be

useless.

15.4 Competence of personnel

The individual(s) carrying out the electrical inspection and testing must be

competent and experienced in electrical installation work, and especially in the

type of installation being inspected and tested. The subject of competence is

complicated but it is important to realise that periodic inspecting and testing is an

area often underestimated in terms of an individual’s competence.

Although outside the scope of this book, the subject of quoting for and the forming

of a contract for an inspection and test can be quite involved.

For simple installations, a City and Guilds 2392 qualifi cation is usually accepted

as the required technical standard for electrical operatives carrying out inspection

and testing work to the requirements of BS 7671: 2008.

Often for larger commercial installations, electrical technicians or electrical

engineers should be employed. It should perhaps be remembered that the

competence should be at a level where the quantity of tests and samples as in

Tables 15.2 and 15.3 to be applied can be routinely considered by the individual.

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Appendices

15.5 Basic principles of periodic inspecting and testing

The following principles should be noted relevant to a BS 7671 periodic inspecting

and test:

• The periodic inspection and test forms a condition report for the installation

• The periodic inspection and test is not intended to cover 100% (indeed this

would almost always be impractical if not impossible). Thus sampling will be

required the nature of which will need to be set by the person carrying out the

periodic inspection and test.

• The inspection and test method should follow the principles highlighted in

the latest Edition of BS 7671. However, many installations will not have been

installed to this latest standard. This will generally not be a problem as it

was safe at the time of installation. Comments or recommendations on any

‘upgrades’ can be provided but these comments should be separated from any

issues that make the installation unsafe (often, this will not be due to an issue

with a previous Edition of BS 7671). This is an example where the experience

of the individual(s) is important.

Generally, inspection and testing is carried out as a prerequisite to any maintenance

to establish the condition of electrical systems. There is no specifi c required

frequency for periodic inspection and testing, and it depends solely on the age,

use and condition of the system, and to assess its suitability for continued use.

Guidance on inspection periods is given in Table 15.1 but it must be understood

that the periods proposed are suggested maximum periods, and each installation

will be different and must be considered individually on its merits.

Table 15.1 Recommended Initial Inspection Frequencies of Electrical Installation

Type of installationMaximum period between inspections and testing as necessary

Reference (see notes below)

Domestic Change of occupancy/10 years

All Commercial i.e. shops offi ces, hospitals and labs, etc.

Change of occupancy/5 years 1

Industrial 3 years

Places subject to entertainment licence 1 year 1,2

Public swimming pools, caravan parks 1 year 1,2

Notes:1 See also Electricity at work Regulations 19892 This is normally a requirement of local licensing organisations

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If the duty holder is continuously aware of the condition of the system there is no

need for any formal inspection and testing regime.

The frequency of periodic inspection and testing of an installation must be

determined having regard to the type of system, its use and operation, the frequency

and quality of maintenance and the external infl uences to which it is subjected.

Not all parts of the system may require the same frequency of inspection and

testing.

BS 7671: 2008 Chapter 62 gives guidance on the requirements for periodic

inspection and testing of fi xed electrical installations. It advises that periodic

inspection testing of an electrical installation should be carried out to determine,

so far as is reasonably practicable, whether the installation is in a satisfactory

condition for continued service. The statement so far as is reasonably practicable must

be clarifi ed, and attempts to bring a balance against the time, trouble, cost and

physical diffi culty of doing something and the risk to safety of not doing it. If these

resources are so disproportionate to the risk that it would be unreasonable to expect

any employer to have to incur them to prevent it, the employer is not obliged to

do so unless there is a specifi c requirement that he does. Some EWR requirements

are ‘absolute’ and must be complied with regardless of cost (e.g. providing an earth

connection), but some can be compared to cost and maintenance is an example of

where costs must be considered.

A duty holder should identify all the circumstances in which persons could be at

risk whilst at work, and all the circumstances in which anyone else could be at risk

as a result of anything done in his work, and determine the level of resource that is

needed to manage each risk effectively taking account of the level of risk. Only by

directing and applying a level and effectiveness of resource that is commensurate

with the risk can the employer perform his general duties so far as is reasonably

practicable.

The greater the risk, the more likely it is that it is reasonable to go to very substantial

expense, trouble and invention to reduce it. But if the consequences and extent of

a risk are small, insistence on great expense would not be considered reasonable.

It is important to remember that the judgment is an objective one and the size or

fi nancial positions of the employer are immaterial.

Inspection of an installation and electrical equipment comprising careful scrutiny should be carried out with dismantling as required, together with appropriate tests as discussed in the other sections. It must be realised however that to disassemble or disconnect something already in service for

41 15

Appendices

physical inspection or testing always carries with it the risk of introducing new faults to the equipment during this work.

The scope of the periodic inspection and test, should be set by a competent person. This is usually the duty holder, although he can ‘sub-contract’ this duty. The scope should take into account availability of records and the use, condition and nature of the installation. This inspection and testing should provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, for:

• the safety of persons and livestock against the effects of electric shock and

burns

• protecting against damage to property by fi re and heat arising from an

installation defect, and

• confi rming that the installation is not damaged or deteriorated so as to impair

safety, and

• the identifi cation of installation defects and non-compliance with the

requirements of the Regulation which may give rise to danger.

15.6 Establishing sample and scope of inspection and test

Sampling of both the visual inspecting and testing facets of the inspection and test

is key and this is where experience counts.

Inspection and testing is a complex process and time consuming and costly to do

fully, and some proposals are always made to reduce the work, but one must ensure

that in consequence the installation safety is not reduced.

The person inspecting and testing the installation will provide a report on the

condition of the installation and its safety and suitability for continued use.

The installation owner and users are usually not technical, and will rely on the

conclusions of the report so it is vital that the inspection and testing is properly

carried out. Samples should be selected to be representative of installation and will

thus be dependent upon records. The sample size may need regular adjustment

throughout the process.

The samples must be representative and chosen by experience, judging each

installation on its merits. It can be argued that large well maintained buildings

(e.g. offi ces etc.) would have the scope for reduced sample sizes over other less well-

maintained buildings.

Samples tables are provided for in this appendix for visual inspections as well as

physical tests but the following summary applies:

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• Sampling criteria depends on size, age, complexity, condition of records and

frequency of routine maintenance.

• Small domestic installations will tend to a fuller sampling approach

• Large installations will have to implement a low sample approach

Generally, samples of less than 10% are not recommended. For very large

installations where it is established that the installation is consistent by say, inspection

of records or similar, the sample size may be reduced below 10%.

15.7 The visual inspection

Often, the value of the visual inspection facet of the inspection and test is

undervalued but it usually depicts a much better indication about the condition

of an installation than the testing facet. As discussed previously, the inspector

must be very experienced in working on the type of installation being inspected.

Precautions must be taken to ensure that inspection and testing does not cause

danger to persons or livestock and does not cause damage to property and system

even if the circuit or equipment is defective. During the inspection any damage,

deterioration, defects, dangerous conditions which may give rise to danger, and

any non-compliance with the requirements of the current edition of the IEE

Regulations, together with any limitations of the inspection shall be recorded.

The inspector must utilise all of the senses (sight, touch, smell etc.) to form a

judgment of the condition of various parts of the installation, and must make an

opinion of the condition, use and suitability for future safe use of the installation

including:

• Safety

• Wear and tear

• Corrosion

• Damage

• Excessive loading (overloading)

• Age of equipment

• External infl uences

• Suitability

• Heat, temperature and burning

The sampling provided in Table 15.2 is recommended but needs to be set by a

competent person

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Appendices

Table 15.2 Range samples for visual inspection

Visual inpectionSuggested minimum sample (see note 1) Typical checks

Check for single line diagram 100%, i.e. it/they must be present Signs of overheating, aging, check tightness.

Main switchgear outside inspection 100% Signs of overheating, aging, check tightness.

Internal sections and cable terminations 100% Signs of overheating, aging, check tightness.

Internal inspection of circuit breaker connections and control sections (large switchgear)

100% small installations10% large installations

Signs of overheating, aging, check tightness.

Sub-main swtichgear Ideally 100% of connections reducing to 10% of connections. This may need reducing for very large installations.


Final circuit distribution boards Ideally 100% of connections reducing to 10% of connections. This may need reducing for very large installations.


Final circuits joints in cables Sample circuits of 10% Signs of overheating, aging, check tightness.

Final circuits accessories Samples on above Damage, signs of overheating

Main equipotential bonding 100% Presence

Note 1.Although generally samples of 10% are not recommended, for very large installations where it is established that the installation is consistent by say inspection of records, the sample size may be reduced.

Overheating is a common problem, whether caused by overloading, poor

ventilation or whatever, and an inspection must pay particular attention to signs of

overheating and identify their possible causes. Many installations are now surveyed

with infrared thermographic cameras, which can provide a useful non invasive

aid to inspection, especially in installations that cannot be easily switched off (e.g.

computer facilities), but care must be taken to understand the results obtained. Not

all electrical equipment is thermally ‘transparent’, and if thermographic pictures

are used over time to look at possible changes in an installation one must ensure

that pictures are taken with the same loads, environment and circumstances.

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Depending on the type of building, especially if it has areas in it accessible to

the general public (school, hospital etc.), it may be necessary (or at least wise) to

carry out regular inspections of the accessible electrical equipment and accessories

outside the formal periodic inspection and testing programme.

15.8 The testing

Testing should be considered to supplement the visual inspection part of the

periodic inspection and test process. This section provides an overview of samples

and general notes on testing.

The test methods detailed in Chapter F of the book can all generally be used with

necessary modifi cations. This section provides an overview of samples and general

notes on testing.

15.8.1 Sample sizesTesting in a periodic inspection and test programme is different from that at the

commissioning of a new installation as one may well be working in an occupied

building and it may not be possible to isolate all the electrical systems, or carry

out all the tests (e.g. there may be local fl ammable products stored that cannot be

moved). Any limitations on the testing must be clearly identifi ed in the report.

Although generally samples of 10% are not recommended, for very large installations

where it is established that the installation is consistent by say, inspection of records

or from the visual inspection, the sample size may be reduced.

15.8.2 PreparationPrecautions must be taken to ensure that inspection and testing does not cause

danger to persons or livestock and does not cause damage to property and system

even if the circuit or equipment is defective. Safety is particularly important –

especially safety of the public in an occupied building. Switchrooms, risers,

distribution boards etc. are normally kept locked, and when work access is required

safety barriers and warning signs must be put up at the workplace to keep people

away from electrical equipment.

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Appendices

Generally, live working is not safe and is not allowed unless it can be justifi ed by

unusual circumstances (see the EAWR). Some testing must be done live, (e.g. earth

loop impedance) but that does not mean the tester or occupiers should be exposed

to any risk, and work must be properly planned to ensure that equipment can be

isolated so that there is no access to live parts.

Table 15.3 Testing to be carried out where practicable on existing installations

Test (note 1) Recommendations

Earth fault loop impedance At the following positions:• Origin of the installation• Distribution boards (may be sampled see note 2)• Accessible socket-outlets and extremity of radial circuits (may be sampled

see note 1)

Protective conductors continuity • Accessible exposed-conductive-parts of current-using equipment and accessories (requires sampling see notes 2 & 3)

Bonding conductors continuity • Main bonding conductors• All necessary supplementary bonding conductors (may be sampled see note

2)

Insulation resistance If tests are to be made:• Between live conductors and Earth at all fi nal distribution boards(may be sampled see note 2)

Earth electrode resistance Test each earth rod or group of rods separately, with the test links removed, and with the installation isolated from the supply source

Functional tests RCDsCircuit-breakers, isolators and switching devices

Tests as required by Regulation 713–13–01, followed by operation of the functional test button (may be sampled see note 2)Manual operation to prove that the devices disconnect the supply (may be sampled see note 2)

Polarity (note 4) At the following positions:• Origin of the installation• Distribution boards• Accessible socket-outlets• Extremity of radial circuits

Ring circuit continuity (note 4) Where there are proper records of previous tests, this test may not be necessary. This test should be carried out where inspection/documentation indicate that there may have been changes made to the ring fi nal circuit (may be sampled see note 2)

Notes:1 The person carrying out the testing is required to decide which of the above tests are appropriate by using their experience and knowledge of the installation being inspected and tested and by consulting any available records.2 Where sampling is applied, the percentage used is at the discretion of the tester, see section 15.6. Generally samples of less than 10% are not recommended. For very large installations where it is established that the installation is consistent by say, inspection of records or from the visual inspection, the sample size may be reduced below 10%.3 The earth fault loop impedance test may be used to confi rm the continuity of protective conductors.4 These tests will often not be required if appropriate records for the existing installation are confi rmed.

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15.8.3 TestsThe test methods detailed in Chapter F of this book can all be generally applied

to a periodic test. The individual performing the tests must be aware of the results

expected to be obtained and able to interpret them and decide on their adequacy.

Knowledge and experience is required in applying the tests and interpreting the

results.

Insulation resistance in an old installation is unlikely to equal the high values of a

new installation, but it must still be adequate. It is not practice to carry out this test

between live and testing between neutral and earth is nearly always impractical.

With some electronic equipment in circuits it may not be possible to carry out a

full insulation resistance test as the equipment may be damaged and tests will often

need to be carried out at 250 V and noted on the test paperwork.

If the duty holder is continuously aware of the condition of the system there is

perhaps no need for any formal periodic inspection and testing regime. In the

case of a system under effective supervision in normal use, BS 7671: 2008 allows

that periodic inspection and testing may be replaced by an adequate regime of

continuous monitoring and maintenance of the installation by competent skilled

persons. Full records must be kept for the installation and all works to show that

appropriate maintenance management procedures have been followed at all times.

There is however no specifi c guidance as to what this requires, but the duty holder

must be able to show that the installation complies at all times with the requirements

of the EAWR.

Some installations cannot easily be switched off, and so inspection and testing can

be rather limited, and ways have been proposed to continuously monitor such

installations to identify possible faults before they interfere with the operation of the

installation. Infra-red thermography has already been mentioned, and it can prove

very useful so long as the installation is designed to accommodate it (thermally

transparent switchgear etc.), and the information gathered is properly understood.

Another method gaining popularity is to continuously measure earth leakage

current. This is generally very small but relatively stable, and it can be monitored at

several points in an installation and any changes may signify impending equipment

breakdown that can be attended to before it happens.

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Appendices

15.9 Electrical equipment

As discussed at the beginning of this appendix, electrical equipment is defi ned as

any item for the generation, conversion, transmission, distribution or utilisation of

electrical energy, and as such covers fi xed wiring as well as appliances. The EWR

cover safety requirements for all electrical systems and equipment used at work,

regardless of voltage levels, and it must be understood that the requirements for

periodic inspection and testing apply to the fi xed installation only. The installation

duty holder should be notifi ed of the fact that the ‘clients’ equipment, for example

portable and transportable equipment, is not included in a BS 7671 periodic report.

This is quite clear for equipment supplied via a plug and socket outlet. However, for

other equipment such items as luminaires, chillers, electric motors and boilers etc.,

the subject is not so clear. Whilst these all fall within the EAW requirements they

do present a problem. It is recommended to visually inspect such equipment in the

course of the periodic inspection and test process and to highlight any equipment

that requires a fuller inspection. In similar fashion, sampling will need to be applied

to this process.

The IET Code of Practice for the In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment

gives guidance on the inspection and testing of electrical equipment.

15.10 Reports

Following a periodic inspection and testing a Periodic Inspection Report, together

with a schedule of inspections and a schedule of test result is to be produced by the

person or company carrying out the inspection and testing works.

A copy of the ECA Periodic Inspection Report, taken from BS 7671: 2008 is

provided in Appendix 17.

BS 7671: 2008 suggests that the report is to be ‘given to the person ordering the inspection’.

This is rather literal, and realistically the report and schedules must be received by

someone in authority (e.g. the duty holder) who is able to do something about any

dangers or safety problems identifi ed in the report. The schedules of inspection

results and test results will record the result of the appropriate inspections and test

carried out.

Copies of reports and schedules and records of maintenance works including

test results should preferably be kept throughout the working life of an electrical

system, and this will enable the condition of the equipment and the effectiveness of

maintenance policies to be monitored. Without effective monitoring duty holders

cannot be certain that the requirement for maintenance has been complied with.

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There is a section on the report ‘extent and limitations’ which identifi es and describes

the parts or areas of an installation covered by a report, and any limitations on

the work carried out, e.g. lack of access to certain parts or unable to isolate some

equipment for testing.

The periodic report is to be completed by an experienced and competent person

who was involved in the inspection and testing work, and in the report there is a

space to indicate when it is advised that the next periodic inspection and test should

be undertaken. This gives a continuity of advice from the guidance on the initial

electrical installation certifi cate as to when inspection and testing of an installation

should be undertaken.

The most important part of the report is the observations and recommendations

section, which identifi es any dangers and remedial work required. The requirements

are given a coding or categorisation from 1 to 4:

• Code 1 – Requires urgent attention

• Code 2 – Requires improvement

• Code 3 – Requires further investigation

• Code 4 – Does not comply with BS 7671: 2008

Only one code should be given to each observation. If more than one code could

be applied, only the most serious recommendation should be given. Where an

immediate danger is observed Code 1 must be used. Where one or more observations

are given a Code 1 recommendation the overall assessment of the installation must

be stated to be unsatisfactory.

Code 3 indicates that the inspector was unable to reach a conclusion about a

certain aspect of the installation, or that the observation was outside the agreed

extent or limitations of the inspection, but has come to the inspector’s attention

during the inspection and testing.

Code 4 indicates items that have been identifi ed as not complying with the

requirements of BS 7671: 2008, but that the item is not of any danger.

It is entirely a matter for the competent operative doing the inspection and testing

to decide on the recommendation code to be given to any fault or observation. The

operative’s own judgment as a competent person should not be infl uenced by his

employer or the client or their requirements. The persons signing the report are

responsible for its content.

49 15

Appendices

15.11 Repairs and maintenance

Installations and equipment must be maintained for safety, long life and effi cient

performance, and regular inspection and testing and condition monitoring is a

necessary part of such maintenance. BS 7671: 2008 is not really concerned with

maintenance or energy effi cient operation, but such things are now a part of

everyday life.

As noted above a periodic inspection and test may identify dangers and faults in an

electrical installation and these must be repaired in a reasonable time. Any Code 1

items should be seen to immediately they are found, to minimise possible dangers,

and if not it can be argued that an inspector could immediately disconnect the

supply to that item due to the possible danger. The presence of any Code 2 items is

also unacceptable and these should be attended to as soon as realistically possible.

Code 3 items may require further work by the inspector and a way forward should

be agreed. Code 4 items may not need any action as long as persons are aware

of them, but they could be attended to when any new work is being carried out.

Generally upon receipt of a report it is advisable to set a programme to ensure that

all the Code 1, 2 and 3 items are resolved in an acceptable period, and to have the

inspector return to check that they have been completed satisfactorily.

Maintenance policies and provisions vary widely depending on the equipment

or system, and outcomes required, and such details cannot be discussed here, but

must be fully understood by the operational staff.

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