Electrical safety and testing policy

This Policy sets out how Colchester City Council ensures electrical safety in its domestic dwellings.

Title 

Electrical Safety & Testing Policy  

Users of Policy 

Colchester City Council, Colchester Borough Homes, tenants, Leaseholders and staff. 

Date Adopted 

April 2018 

Date last Reviewed 

September 2025 

Review Frequency 

Every 3 years 

Best Before Date 

September 2028 
  Scheme of Delegation 

Formation of Policy 

Portfolio Holder with delegated responsibility for the Financial Management of the Housing Revenue Account  

Amendments 

Portfolio Holder with delegated responsibility for the Financial Management of the Housing Revenue Account 

Monitoring 

Strategic Client for Asset Management 

Implementation 

Head of Building Safety, Colchester Borough Homes 

Approval of requests 

Strategic Client for Asset Management, delegated to Director of Assets, Colchester Borough Homes 

1. Purpose & Scope: 

  1. The purpose of this Policy is to set out specific guidelines to enable Colchester City Council to be assured that fixed electrical installations and portable appliances in its domestic dwellings are tested and inspected at appropriate frequencies and to the required legal standards, in order to minimise the risk of fire, injury and / or death. 

 

  1. This Policy refers to domestic dwellings only. The safety and testing of electrical installations and electrical appliances in non-domestic settings is covered by separate procedures, statute and regulation. 

 

  1. Legislative Requirements and Regulatory Guidance: 

 

  • Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 
  • Housing Act 1988 
  • Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 
  • Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992 (as amended) 
  • The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 
  • The Building Act 1984 & 2000: Building Regulations (including Part P requirements) 
  • The Building Safety Act 2022 
  • Right to Repair Scheme (introduced 1994) 
  • The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 
  • Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 
  • Requirements for Electrical Installation IET Wiring Regulations 18th Edition BS7671:2018+A2:2022 (including all amendments) 
  • IET Guidance Note 3 – Inspection and Testing 
  • The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 
  • Defective Premises Act 1972 
  • Environmental Protection Act 1990 
  • BS 5839-6:2019 Fire Detection and Fire Alarm System for Buildings 
  • Electrical Equipment (safety) Regulations 1994 
  • Fixed Electrical Installations – definition 

 

  1. All fixed electrical installations within the Council’s housing stock are subject to regular inspection and testing. 

 

  1. The fixed electrical installation is the assembly of associated electrical equipment supplied from a common point of origin to fulfil a specific purpose and having certain co-ordinated characteristics.  

     

2. Portable appliance testing 

2.1 All electrical equipment owned/managed by CCC will be subject to an annual portable appliance test (PAT). Appropriate labelling of equipment and recording of all equipment will be undertaken in accordance with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994. 

 

3. Duties and Responsibilities 

3.1 Colchester Borough Homes Employees; to ensure compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Head of Building Safety, CBH assumes the role of Duty Holder, and is responsible for actions and requirements defined by this Policy. The Duty Holder may delegate some of the duties to others deemed skilled to aid operational requirements. This will be communicated in written form. Appropriate notice and the likely impact of the testing regime will be agreed with the relevant Managers and business users who will filter this information through to appropriate staff prior to the commencement of any testing. 

3.2 Colchester Borough Homes employees will schedule electrical contractors to undertake formal Periodic Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations on a five year rolling programme. Portable appliance testing will be completed at prescribed frequencies as detailed in the table at 11.1. 

 

4. Tenant and Leaseholder responsibilities 

4.1 Tenants will need to give access to their property so that inspections can be completed as detailed in the Colchester City Councils Access Policy. Appointments will be made in advance to facilitate this. 

4.2 To undertake fixed installation inspection and testing, it is necessary to de-energise (switch off) the electrical supply to the property. Where Electrical Inspection and Testing is to be carried out, tenants shall be written to informing them that the electrical installation will require de-energising accordingly, the tenant shall be advised;  

a) to save files and log-off home computers prior to the commencement of the electrical testing.  

b) To consider any contingency arrangements arising from the absence of electrical supplies are facilitated, e.g for any medical equipment.  

c) to ensure access is given to electrical sockets and meters and to remove any obstacles or items as far as is reasonably possible.  

d) freezers and fridges contain a minimum amount of perishable food stuffs. 

4.3 Leaseholders – under the new regulation, Leaseholders in blocks owned by CCC are required to have an electrical installation check (EICR) at least every 5 years and provide a copy of that report to CCC/CBH.  Any remedial work identified by the report is required to be rectified by a competent person and it is the Leaseholders responsibility to pay for the report and subsequent remedial work. 

4.4 Enforcement – If a leaseholder fails to provide CCC/CBH with a valide EICR, this could be considered a breach of the lease and access will be sought to complete the EICR at the leaseholders cost. 

 

5. No Access & Failed Appointments 

5.1 Where access is not granted by tenants, CCC’s Access Policy will be followed to ensure the inspection and/or repair can be completed. 

5.2 Where a tenant needs to rearrange an appointment, at least 24 hours notice must be given. If an appointment is cancelled or rearranged with less than 24 hours notice, a £30 fee will be charged. 

5.3 Where the contractor makes an appointment and has to reschedule within 24 hours of the appointment, the tenant will receive £30 in compensation. 

 

6. Authorised Inspectors and Testers 

6.1 Only skilled persons Only skilled persons as defined by BS 7671 2018 (Requirements for Electrical Installations) including all current amendments will be authorised to carry out Inspection and Testing. 

6.2 A person shall be deemed skilled to carry out the appropriate Inspection and Testing only if she/he has sufficient knowledge and experience of the test equipment, the installation being tested and testing procedures. 

 

7. Testing of Fixed Electrical Installations 

7.1 It is the responsibility of those undertaking Inspection and Testing: 

a) To ensure no danger occurs to any person or livestock.  

b) To ensure no damage occurs to property.  

c) To compare the inspection and testing results with the design criteria  

d) To take a view on the condition of the installation and advice on remedial works  

e) In the event of a dangerous situation, to make an immediate recommendation to CBH to carry out the necessary remedial actions. 

7.2 Contractor requirements and standards - contractors appointed to undertake Periodic Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations will be required to conform in full of the requirements of this Policy. Additionally, all Contractors shall comply with the following: 

 

  1.  They shall be registered through the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contractors (NICEIC) the Electrical Contractors Association (ELECSA) or the Nation Association for Professional Inspectors (NAPIT). 
  1.  All Electricians should have successfully completed City and Guilds 2382 (18th Edition) City and Guilds 2391 (Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations) JIB approved. Unless the duty holder deems the Electricians skill level and experience adequate to carry out the testing accompanied by regular monitoring. 
  1.  The Duty Holder must be assured of the technical competence of any contractor, prior to appointment. 
  1.  All contractors shall be subject to monitoring to ensure appropriate standards are met and maintained by performance measure or Audits. 
  1.  All contractors and operatives carrying out portable appliance testing must have received appropriate training and be a competent person, defined as "A person possessing sufficient technical knowledge or experience to be capable of ensuring that injury is prevented”. 

 

8. Repairs and Rectification 

8.1 Necessary repairs identified whilst carrying out the Inspection and Testing regime will be completed immediately if their estimated cost is less than the sum agreed under contract. Repairs required which are over this financial threshold will require prior authorisation by a CBH staff member with appropriate authority.  

 

9. Exceptions to the Requirements 

9.1 All extra low voltage systems (below 50Va.c. or 120Vd.c (ripple free) are exempt from this policy. The following schedule shows typical installation of this type (the list is not exhaustive).  

  • Lift shaft wiring and controls 
  • Building management system 
  • Fire alarm installation 
  • Central battery-operated emergency lighting systems 
  • Telephone and data systems 

 

10. New Installations 

10.1 All new installations shall be provided with an Electrical Installation Certificate complete with a Schedule of Inspections and Test Results. The documents shall be suitably completed and in full compliance with BS 7671: 2018 Requirements for Electrical Installations., Guidance Note 1 (Selection and Erection) and all current amendments.  

 

11.  Frequency of Inspection and Testing 

11.1 The table below sets out the frequency of Periodic Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations and conditions of use: 

Type of Installation 

Maximum period between inspections and testing 

Domestic (Rented) 

Change of tenancy or 5 years, whichever is sooner 

Emergency Lighting 

Emergency lighting in line with BS 5266-1 

Monthly test and annual test 

Fire Alarms 

Fire alarm testing in line with BS 5839-6:2019. 

Weekly test, 6-month inspection, annual service, 10-year smoke/heat head replacement. 

Portable Appliance Testing 

Annually 

11.2 The frequency of periodic inspection and testing must be determined considering: 

  • the type of installation 
  • its use and operation 
  • the frequency and quality of maintenance 
  • the external influences on which it is subjected.  

11.3 The frequency of test and inspection should never be longer than the maximum recommended frequency as set out in Appendix A, but more frequent inspections may take place as part of a pro-active, risk-based approach to the management of properties where there are known usage factors which may impact on the property’s general condition.  

11.4 All buildings shall be subject to a full Periodic Inspection and Test at the prescribed frequency. Partial testing of circuits or installations is not generally permitted. However, should detailed records, test results and drawings be available, the Duty Holder may relax the requirements subject to completion of a Risk Assessment. This is especially relevant to change of occupancy of properties which may have been the subject of short term lets.  

 

12. Tests to be Undertaken 

12.1 Tests to be carried out on each Periodic Inspection and Test are detailed in the IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 guidance note 3:Inspection and testing. 

 

13. Labelling 

13.1 The provision of Marking and Labelling shall be provided in full accordance with BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 Requirements for Electrical Installations and Guidance Note 3 (Inspection and Testing). Including all current amendments. 

 

14. Records 

14.1 Records shall be provided in full accordance with BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 Requirements for Electrical Installations and Guidance Note 3 (Inspection and Testing) including all amendments. Additionally, a clear and understandable diagram or chart, or its equivalent, detailing a brief overview of the installation, should be positioned adjacent to each distribution board. Original Inspection certificates must be provided to CBH in an electronic format.  

 

15. Approved Test Equipment 

15.1 Test equipment shall comply with the requirements of BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 Requirements for Electrical Installations and Guidance Note 3 (Inspection and Testing) GS38 Electrical test equipment for electricians including all amendments.  

 

16. Risk Assessments 

16.1 Prior to commencement of any works activities, Colchester Borough Homes appointed contractors shall undertake a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for the work involved.  

 

17. Programme of Works 

17.1 The Duty Holder or other appointed Colchester Borough Homes employees will agree an appropriate programme of works, and issue instructions for this to be carried out.  

 

18. Further Information 

18.1 Further information or advice on the requirements of this Policy is available from the CBH Property Services Team.  

 

19. Definitions 

Duty Holder: The person nominated by Colchester Borough Homes who has responsibility for implementation, monitoring of standards and quality in respect of Inspection and Testing. Additionally, they have responsibility for the health and safety and other legal requirements relating to the electrical work undertaken.  

 

ECA: Electrical Contractors Association.  

EICR: Electrical Installation Condition Report 

Electrical Contractors: An external procured competent resource appointed to undertake prescribed electrical operations on behalf of Colchester Borough Homes.  

Extra Low Voltage: Normally not exceeding 50V a.c. or 120V d.c. (Ripplefree) 

Low Voltage: Exceeding extra low voltage, but not exceeding 1000V a.c. or 1500V d.c.  

NICEIC: National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting. Skilled Person: A person with technical knowledge or sufficient experience to enable Him / her to avoid dangers which electricity may create 

PAT: Portable Appliance Test 

Skilled Person: A person with technical knowledge or sufficient experience to enable him/her to avoid dangers which electricity may create. 

 

20. Controls and Risk Assurance 

20.1 The Duty Holder is to ensure this policy is being followed, and in doing so will:  

  • Monthly, provide an update report detailing performance against targets to the Capital Monitoring Group. 
  • Annually, report details of compliance and material issues to the Director of Operations, to the Colchester Borough Homes Board through a detailed compliance report, a copy of which will be provided to Colchester City Council.