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Testing

Electrical Periodic Inspection & Testing

Information:

Electrical installations, if not properly maintained, can kill, injure and cause serious property damage. In Ireland, people are killed almost every year from contact with, or as a result of electricity. This Guidance-note aims to assist employers, employees and others to put in place a suitable regime for periodic inspection and testing of electrical installations to reduce the possibility of harm arising from the electrical installation in a workplace.

What Aspects of the Electrical Installation are covered?

An installation could vary from a standard small 230 Volt single phase electrical wiring system with distribution boards, lighting and general services to, in certain instances, arrangements involving three-phase high-voltage switch-gear, transformers and associated parts of the electrical installation in a major industrial or commercial environment. Systems such as Fire Alarm, Emergency Lighting and Security Alarms have detailed requirements set out in Irish Standards IS 3217, IS 3218and IS-EN 50131respectively. These requirements should be adhered to and will not be covered further in this Guidance.Generally the Guidance-Note focusses on wiring and associated features such as earthing and distribution boards. This guidance-note is not aimed at appliances, which take their supply via the electrical installation. Appliances generally come with their own specific manufacturers’ instructions which should be adhered to.

Legislation:

The requirement for periodic inspection testing and reporting is set out in Regulation 89 of the 2007 Safety Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations (S.I. No 299 of 2007) as amended by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application)(Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 732 of 2007)

Emergency Lighting Systems (Weekly, monthly & quarterly requirements)

At Haven Electrical we have been designing, installing and maintaining Emergency Lighting systems for over 30 years. Under the BESS Scheme (Building Emergency Safety Systems) we are fully qualified and registered to carry out design, installation and commission of emergency lighting systems.

We test and manage systems across the city and county and work around times that suit our clients. We issue reminder notices when re-tests are due, ensuring you are compliant with legislation.

Emergency Lighting Faqs

What is Emergency Lighting?

Why is Emergency Lighting Testing Required?

What are the Benefits of Testing?

How often is Testing Required?

What is involved in the Testing of Emergency Lighting?

What is Emergency Lighting?

Emergency Lighting is a backup system, when general lighting on a premise fails. Emergency lights will illuminate in the event of a loss of power, fire or emergency to allow safe escape from the building. Emergency Lighting should also adequately allow identification of safety signs and equipment such as firefighting equipment and refuge points. At some point, you’re bound to experience a power outage — and of course there’s always the possibility of an emergency. And when that time comes, it’s crucial that your emergency lights and exit signs are fully operational.

Why is Emergency Lighting Testing Required?

All owners of business or public premises have a legal obligation to provide and maintain the emergency lighting system installed. Testing should be carried out periodically as specified in Health & Safety Legislation and the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) I.S. 3217:2008 Code of Practice. In common with the regulations concerning Fire Detection & Alarm Systems, quarterly inspection and annual tests of the Emergency Lighting System must be carried out and records maintained in the fire register book.

What are the Benefits of Testing?

Increases insurance coverage eligibility. Many insurance companies may not cover damages caused by fire unless a company has documented that routine inspections and maintenance have been performed on their emergency lights and exit signs.

Promotes safety. Most important of all, having your emergency lights and exit signs properly serviced and functioning can save lives and property during a fire.

How often is Testing Required?

Emergency lights and exit signs require regular testing and consistent inspections to continue functioning properly, and often manufacturers recommend that these inspections are performed by a trained and certified technician this keeps your equipment in peak condition.

What is involved in the Testing of Emergency Lighting?

Illuminating each emergency light, from its battery source, for 30 minutes for the quarterly test and 3 hours on the annual test.

Examination of all fittings to ensure their correct functionality.

Checking and filling out the logbook, as appropriate, and issuing a certificate of testing on completion.

Provision of a schedule, to your staff, for weekly checks of the system.

Issuing reminders when your re-tests are due, to ensure your compliance with I.S. 3217:2008