A short power outage can be expected on each circuit within the system.  But because most of the testing is carried out whilst the system is still live, these outages can be planned around your daily activities.

The law does not require electrical testing to be carried out.  However, the law does require that you keep your entire electrical system safe at all times.  The only effective means to that end is to have periodic testing and inspection carried out, together with action to remedy any faults found as a result of testing.

If an accident or fire does occur where electricity is suspected to have been the cause, then the duty is yours to prove that you did your best to avoid that accident (offence). Test data results together with preventative maintenance records will provide your best proof and defence.

Increasingly, insurers are insisting that inspection and testing be carried out on a regular basis.  If you suffer an avoidable accident, then under law if found guilty you will be deemed to have committed a criminal offence.  Insurers will not pay fines or compensation suffered resulting from a criminal offence.

A visiting inspector will not necessarily identify the need to maintain electrical safety at every inspection he makes, especially if there are other issues to be addressed.  Because testing has not been specifically demanded does not mean that the legal requirements to comply with electrical safety do not apply.

There has always been a requirement to satisfy Health & Safety legislation.  In 1989 The Electricity at Work Regulations came into force, which clarifies the need to maintain electrical systems safely.  So there has always been the need and test data results will form a major part of your defence should an accident occur which leads to prosecution.

We have a great deal of experience in working within the constraints of three-shift manufacturing environments.  Because the majority of the testing involves carrying out live tests, we can schedule dead testing around pre-arranged windows of opportunity, be these during holidays, breakdowns, process changes, cleaning or maintenance stoppages, shift changes or weekends.

You are responsible to make sure that you and your staff comply with Health & Safety legislation.  However, it is usually dependent on the terms of your lease as to whether you or your landlord pays for testing to be carried out on the electrical installation.  Usually, if you are on a full repairing lease then the cost will fall to you.  Portable Appliance testing witll always be at your expense.

As per the IEE Regulations, you can only rely on sample testing if you hold previous full system records, the installation is considered to be in excellent condition, no faults are found during sample testing and no undocumented alterations have been carried out since the system was new or last tested.  This does not hold true for the vast majority, for which full inspection and testing should be undertaken.

Because there is no real correlation between square feet and circuit numbers: it is a meaningless benchmark.  We have employed engineers from other testing companies who have been paid on the basis of an amount per square foot.  We believe that this puts pressure on engineers to skimp on tests in high-circuit density areas where they are racing to achieve unacceptable circuit test rates.  It is also not an accurate reflection of the amount of work involved, and therefore, the cost.

Unless and until you suffer an accident then probably nothing will happen.  However, remember that maintenance of a safe electrical system is a legal requirement.  Therefore a preventable accident could lead to prosection, for which there will be no insurance cover.  You may also find that an insurance loss adjuster could make much of the fact that you may not have maintained the system adequately which could have led to the claim.  Again, this could lead to an unsuccessful claim and a costly experience.

The Electricity at Work Regulations apply to all businesses from multi-nationals to sole traders.  So you still need to comply.

Because we accurately identify any faults found, the cost of remedy in most cases is not too great.  The majority of problems found involve earthing deficiencies, which although potentially very dangerous, are not usually hugely expensive to remedy.

The results of previous tests should be considered in a programme of risk assessment.  In the absence of such history then the following intervals may be considered as a guide.  But remember other factors such as the ability of site staff to identify any potential faults or damage and take suitable action.  Mechanical damage and abuse must also be taken into consideration.

Low-risk: 24-monthly or more

Medium risk: 12-monthly

High risk (i.e. workshop equipment): 6-monthly

Very high risk (i.e. site equipment): 3-monthly

Not all testing companies offer the same service.  You can rest assured that Arkle Bros. (London) Ltd provide a very thorough and cost-effective survey of all systems that will enable you not only to be able to prove compliance and be comfortable in the knowledge that any faults present have been found and reported about, but also the fact that, by virtue of the depth of detail that Arkle's reports provide, the cost of any remedial work required is likely to be lower than a less detailed report might be.

We hold records of all clients, together with re-test dates on our database and remind clients when re-tests are due.