Have we answered your question? – We receive many queries from householders, and we try to answer them all.
We hope these answers cover what you are looking for. If by chance you don’t find the answer here, then please feel free to email us with your query.
Q: What is a periodic inspection (P.I.R)?
A registered electrician must carry out a periodic inspection to determine the condition of your electrical wiring. The purpose is to identify, so far as reasonably practicable, any faults that may affect the safety of the wiring, and to make the appropriate recommendations to ensure your safety. The electrician will issue a periodic inspection report (PIR), which is a report on the existing electrical wiring.
The qualified electrician carrying out the periodic inspection will check the wiring against the current national safety standard, which is
BS 7671.
Q: When does a periodic inspection need to be carried out?
It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at the following times:
• for tenanted properties, at each change of occupancy
• at least every 10 years for a home
• at least every 5 years for a business
The Landlords and Tenant Act 1985 – this requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical wiring in repair and in proper working order. We recommend landlords arrange for periodic inspection and testing to be carried out by a registered electrician at the intervals shown above.
Periodic inspection and testing of the electrics should be carried out more frequently on the places and premises listed here.
• 3 years for caravans
• 3 years for industrial premises
• 1 year for swimming pools
• 3 months for construction sites
Q: When do I need a rewire?
There are no set guidelines as to when a property should be rewired. Just because your wiring’s old, doesn’t mean it’s unsafe.
Many factors can affect the wear and tear of your electrical installation, including the materials used and how your property has been used.
We would advise that PIRs be carried out on owner-occupied properties at least every 10 years and every five years in rented accommodation. The test will certify whether the electrics in a property are safe and tell you if anything needs upgrading. You should carry out regular checks around the house on the condition of your cables, switches, sockets and other accessories. If you notice anything unusual - burn marks on plugs and sockets, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling), fuses blowing or circuit-breakers tripping - get a registered electrician to check your electrics as soon as possible.
Q: As a landlord, what responsibility do I have in relation to the electrics in a property that I intend to let?
You have a duty of care to your tenant and must ensure that the installation is safe when they enter the property and is maintained throughout their tenure.
The Landlords and Tenants Act (1985) requires that the electrical installation in a rented property is:
•safe when a tenancy begins and
•maintained in a safe condition throughout the tenancy.
We recommend that in order to comply with this Act, you get a registered electrician to carry out a Periodic Inspection Report (PIR) on any property you intend to let before getting tenants in. This will certify whether the electrics are safe and tell you if anything needs upgrading.
Q: I am a landlord, how often should I have an inspection carried out in my property?
If you own an HMO, you have a legal obligation to have a Periodic inspection Test (PIR) carried out on your property every five years.
If your property is not an HMO, then you are not legally obliged to get your installation tested on a periodic basis. However, we recommend that you have a full PIR carried out every five years or on change of tenancy – whichever comes first.
Our guidance is based on legal obligations set out in The Landlords and Tenant Act (1985).
Q: What is an R.C.D?
A residual-current device (RCD), is an electrical wiring device that disconnects a circuit whenever it detects that the electric current is not balanced between the live conductor and the return neutral conductor. Such an imbalance is sometimes caused by current leakage through the body of a person who is grounded and accidentally touching a live part of the circuit. A lethal shock can result from these conditions. RCDs are designed to disconnect quickly enough to mitigate the harm caused by such shocks although they are not intended to provide protection against overload or short-circuit conditions.
Q: What is an M.C.B?
A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit. Its basic function is to detect a fault condition and, by interrupting continuity, to immediately discontinue electrical flow. Unlike a fuse, which operates once and then has to be replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset (either manually or automatically) to resume normal operation. Circuit breakers are made in varying sizes, from small devices that protect an individual household appliance up to large switchgear designed to protect high voltage circuits feeding an entire city.
Q: What is bonding?
Electrical bonding is the practice of intentionally electrically connecting all metallic non-current carrying items in a room or building as protection from electric shock. If a failure of electrical insulation occurs, all metal objects in the room will have the same electrical potential, so that an occupant of the room cannot touch two objects with significantly different potentials. Even if the connection to a distant earth ground is lost, the occupant will be protected from dangerous potential differences.
Q: Why do earthing and bonding need to be checked?
If you are having an alteration or addition made to your electrical instillation, your electrician must check (as well as other things) that the earthing and bonding arrangements you have are up to the required standard. This is because the safety of any new work you have done (however small) will depend on the earthing and bonding arrangements. If it is does not meet the current standards it will need to be upgraded.
Kings Electrical Contractors Ltd covers all aspects of electrical work in Herts, Beds, Bucks and London. We pride ourselves in being able to deliver tailored projects to meet our client’s individual needs offering good value for money along with high quality workmanship.
Our business is built on close working relationships and we always take a customer focused approach to ensure we deliver customer satisfaction. We offer practical and affordable solutions on all aspects of electrical work.
We are registered with many governing bodies and organisations including NIC-EIC, Electrical Contractors Association, Trust Mark, The Health and Safety People and Construction Line. We aim to continually improve our services by working both with the above organisations and our clients.
Kings Electrical covers all aspects of electrical work and is committed to tailoring specific project to meet our client’s needs. Call today for advice or to arrange a free quote.
