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Further Information 

Rewiring, Upgrades & Repairs 

Your electrical system may be aged, deteriorated and potentially unsafe. If an electrical system is more than 10 years old it may require improving. If it is over 30 years old it may need rewiring and renewing. The IET state that domestic electrical systems require inspecting every 10 years. Our considerable expertise is no better reflected in the quality and precision of our highly experienced and properly qualified installation engineers. Our training programs are set to the industries highest standards giving our customers and assurance that every installation is safe and of the highest quality.

When carrying out electrical work we always adopt a careful and sympathetic approach and treat our client’s property with the utmost respect, care and consideration. Our staff are carefully selected and trained to the highest standards. We give an assurance that every member of our workforce is qualified for his duties and understands the responsibility placed with him. As a result of these policies we guarantee fully all the work we do and believe that every job completed by us has been to the total satisfaction of the client. Please call us for more information or to arrange for a free rewiring estimate. You may also wish to arrange an inspection with a condition report to establish the true condition of your electrical system.

Electrical Reports & Certificates 

Reports are produced as a result of detailed inspections undertaken in accordance with our regulations – BS7671:2018. 

The information produced is clear, accurate and well presented, any defects which may be found are coded 1 to 3, where code 1 items require urgent attention, code 3 items while not complying with current standards may not necessarily be unsafe or require rectification.

Certificates are issued - a minimum standard of safety 

While our testing procedure conforms with the latest edition of BS7671:2018, an electrical system only has to meet with a minimum standard of safety for it to qualify for a Satisfactory Certificate and be suitable for it’s intended purpose such as a rental or house sale. In these circumstances there may be advisory items listed. We will normally provide a competitive quotation for any essential repairs which may be highlighted in a report.

Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) 

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an inspection on the condition of an electrical installation, to identify any deficiencies against the national safety standard on electrical installations. An EICR examines and evaluates the electrical installation's safety, and/or deterioration due to a number of factors, such as damage, wear, tear, corrosion, excessive electrical loading, ageing and environmental influences, or items of none compliance which may give rise to danger. Periodic testing assures you and the inspectors of a safe working environment for employees as well as providing landlords with certification for the safety of tenants.

Why is a EICR needed?

As every electrical installation deteriorates with age and use, it is essential that they are maintained in order to ensure that the safety of others is not put at risk. Legalisation requires that all electrical installations are kept in a safe working condition. A fixed electrical installation includes all parts of a distribution system from the main supply point, through to wiring accessories such as sockets and light fittings - and everything in between.

Because the majority of this part of the installation is unseen, it is often forgotten in terms of test and inspection. The fact is that it is vitally important that all wires, cables, accessories and switching equipment are maintained well in order to ensure safety.  The benchmark for this inspection and test process is BS7671 (The IEE Wiring Regulations) which provides guidance on how systems must be designed, installed and maintained. Deviations from this British Standard are most likely to be the cause of any problems. After an initial visual inspection, several electronic tests are carried out by injected test voltage and current through the system to determine the integrity and functionality of cables, accessories and disconnection devices. This form of test and inspection is paramount to safety in the workplace.

Barry J Fogg Electrical Services Ltd is unique, in that we offer our customers a remedial solution to repair any defects found during the test and inspection process. Our electrical installation division will prepare a no obligation quotation to repair any deviations from BS7671 and provide the required certification in each case. We can provide Electrical installation condition reports, Minor Works Certificates and Electrical Installation Certificates. We are often being asked to provide an Electrical Safety Certificate. All of these can be provided. 

Landlord Safety Certificates 

There is a distinction so far as electrical safety is concerned between the fixed installations (i.e. wiring circuits, switches, sockets, light fittings and circuit boards on the one hand and appliances which can be plugged in and which will often be portable (e.g. refrigerators, electric cookers, kettles, toasters etc on the other).

With rented residential accommodation it is the Landlord’s responsibility to ensure that the electrical installation and appliances provided by the landlord safe when the tenancy begins and is in repair and proper working order throughout the tenancy. At the start of the tenancy and throughout both must be free of risk of injury to tenants and residents. The local authority can taken action to enforce electrical safety in residential accommodation under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

The Guidance makes recommendations regarding inspections and testing of the electrical installations and appliances.

Houses in Multiple Occupation

If the property is a house in multiple occupation then the Management Regulations require the manager to take safety measures and to maintain electrical installations. Very importantly for all HMOs (not just licensable HMOs) there is an obligation to have fixed electrical installations in every HMO inspected and tested at intervals not exceeding 5 years by a qualified electrician. A certificate must be obtained. The local authority can require a certificate to be produced in 7 days if they ask.

Part P Building Regulations

Part P of the Building Regulations requires that most fixed electrical installation work must meet Building Regulation requirements. Thus, the work must either be pre-notified to the local authority or be carried out by a registered electrician under one of the Government approved schemes.

Electrical Installations

The Landlord should carry out a regular basic visual safety check of the electrical installation to ensure that these are safe. This should detect broken items such as sockets and light switches or signs of scorching around the sockets due to overloading or damaged cables etc.

The Institute of Electrical Engineers recommends 10 years as the maximum period between tests of the electrical installation by an electrician but this relates to the period between the initial inspection (when the installation was first installed) and the first periodic inspection/test.

Subsequent periods for inspection/tests would depend on the condition of the installation. What the Electrical Safety Council now recommends in this latest Guidance for rented accommodation is that period inspections/tests by a qualified electrician is carried out at least every 5 years or on a change of tenancy. As pointed out above, if the property is a house in multiple occupation of any kind (where will include shared houses) there is a statutory requirement to carry out such inspection/test every 5 years anyway.

The Institute of Electrical Engineers also recommends for residential accommodation that an inspection/test is carried out on a change of occupancy. These are inspections/tests by a qualified electrician.

The Electrical Safety Council Guide says that where a change of tenancy occurs within a short period (for example not more than 6 months) a full inspection/test may not always be required. However, it is imperative that a landlord’s representative carries out a visual electrical safety inspection prior to re-letting. This should undertake a manual test of any residual current devices.

As an alternative to a full test/inspection the Guide suggests a visual condition report, also carried out by a qualified electrician. However a visual condition report is only suitable where the installations have been inspected and tested in the last two years and the result was satisfactory or any resulting defects have been rectified.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)

Barry J Fogg Electrical services Ltd  provide Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) and is an important part of any health and safety policy. Maintaining PAT records has become a statutory requirement and is therefore considered good practice of any organisation. There are a number of reasons why appliances should be tested with the most important ones being:

• To comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations
• To comply with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
• To minimise the risk of fire and injury caused by electrical appliances (Each year about 1000 accidents at work involving electric shock or burns are reported to the Health & Safety Executive. About 30 of these are fatal)
• To satisfy your Insurance Company
• To comply with Health & Safety requirements
• To comply with Quality Assurances
• As part of your Fire Risk Assessment compliance

The Health & Safety Executive advises that 25% of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable appliances. The Electricity at Work Regulations place a legal responsibility on employers, employees and self-employed persons to comply with the provisions of the regulations and take reasonably practicable steps to ensure that no danger results from the use of such equipment. This in effect requires the implementation of a systematic and regular program of maintenance, inspection and testing. The Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) places such an obligation in the following circumstances:

• Where appliances are used by employees
• Where the public may use appliances in establishments such as hospitals, schools, hotels, shops etc
• Where appliances are supplied or hired
• Where appliances are repaired or serviced

The level of inspection and testing required is dependant upon the risk of the appliance becoming faulty, which is in turn dependant upon the type of appliance, the nature of its use and the environment in which it is used. The Institution of Electrical Engineers published the "Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment" (ISBN: 978-0-86341-833-4). This guide forms the basis for portable appliance testing in the U.K. 

Emergency Lighting

Emergency lighting requires regular routine testing and servicing.

This service is often carried out on a 12 monthly cycle by a competent engineer. Further more frequent user tests are normally carried out in addition to this by the person responsible for the building. Tests and certification to BS5266 are provided while maintaining and installing alarm systems. All types of systems are catered for, from small self contained systems with one or two lights to large central battery systems often found in cinemas and hotels and shopping centres . We at Barry J Fogg Electrical services include official Amtech software produced certificates with all servicing & testing.

Why does it need to be tested?

Emergency lighting systems are installed to provide assistance in evacuating a building in the event of loss of the supply to the general lighting circuits through fire or a power cut for instance. The Fire Precautions (workplace) Regulations 1997 state that "Emergency routes and exits requiring illumination must be provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity in case lighting fails". It is the responsibility of all employers to ensure that all these systems are suitably maintained and checked to ensure they are safe and compliant. All emergency lighting systems should now be installed, tested and inspected in accordance with BS5266-1.

What does it involve?

Emergency Lighting Testing requires that every circuit supplying an emergency light is isolated to demonstrate that the internal batteries in the emergency fitting keep the exits and exit routs illuminated during power failures. Every 12 months a full discharge test (1hr or 3hr, dependent on system installed) must be performed by a competent person to ensure the batteries are capable of lasting for the required period. Each light is inspected to ensure it operates correctly and that the lamp inside is functional. Furthermore our electrician will check that there are a sufficient number of lights and that the correct evacuation legends are fitted during the test visit to the premises. Upon completion of the test we will provide a report on any necessary repairs or improvements that may be required before issue of test certificate. 

Fire Alarm Systems

The design of detection and alarm systems are critical to both safety protection and preventing disruption to your business. At Barry J Fogg Electrical Services Ltd we recognise the need for properly designed alarms that offer comprehensive detection at the same reducing false alerts. Each design is in accordance with BS 5839 2002 utilising the best open protocol alarm systems to suit your requirements. All designs are submitted in accordance with the British Standard.

The design will vary from a simple conventional system to multi networked analogue addressable systems.

Conventional alarm systems

A simple conventional alarm system may be suited to smaller systems or those less likely to have a more demanding cause and effect program in the event of a fire being detected. A conventional alarm will still be able to manually or automatically detect a fire and provide audible/visual warning via bells, sounder or flashing beacons.

Analogue Addressable Alarms

Analogue Addressable Systems provide a simple and effective method of identifying the location of where the fire incident has been detected. This is identified on the display of the panel and will detail the loop, zone and room where the detector or manual call point is located. In addition the systems are capable of providing solutions to complex cause and effect procedures to shut down ancillary equipment and interfacing with third party systems.

For larger premises containing a number of buildings multiple control panels can be networked together with a central computer graphics system to provide efficient and effective control site wide from designated control points. While the main aim of your protection strategy should be focused on prevention, automated early warning detection offers essential protection. Each second saved means more time to safely evacuate the building and will also minimise potential damage and disruption.

The Fire regulatory reform act in 2005 places responsibility on the responsible person to undertake risk assessments to ensure the safety of the building and occupants. Barry J Fogg Electrical Services Ltd offer a refreshing approach to the design of detection systems which use industry standard equipment suited to your specific requirements.

Why does it need to be tested?

Fire alarm and fire detection systems are designed and installed as an early warning system to the inhabitants of buildings, that danger of fire in imminent. A system that in correctly designed , installed and maintained will ensure that all inhabitants have adequate time to evacuate a building and alert the fire authorities in good time. The Fire Precautions (workplace) Regulations 1997 requires that fire alarm and automatic detection systems should be installed where there is a requirement for early warning of fire. Periodic test and inspection of all fire alarm and detection systems is essential, to ensure they will operate correctly in the event of a fire; poor maintenance can lead to failure of these systems with catastrophic consequences. It is the responsibility of all employers to ensure that these systems are suitably maintained and checked to ensure they are safe and compliant. All fire alarms and detection systems should now be installed, tested and inspected in accordance with BS5839 pt 1.

What does it involve?

Fire alarm and detection system test and inspection involves a series of visual checks being carried out on the components of the system to ensure their integrity, this will include cables, containment, panels, detectors and sounders. Whilst this type of work is completely non-evasive, it will also be necessary for our inspecting electrician to carry out a fire alarm drill which involves triggering the alarm system via a detector or break-glass unit. Upon completion of the test and inspection a report of any remedial action, if applicable, will be provided before issue of a Test Certificate. 

Electricity At Work Certificates

All employers and employees have a legal responsibility to ensure that electrical systems are safe. Conformity with BS7671 – our UK National Safety Standard, is the essential route to ensuring your electrical wiring system complies with UK Legislation.

Each year around 20 people die from electric shock or electric burns whilst at work, and about a further 30 die from electrical accidents in the home. Most of these accidents are preventable if proper safe working procedures are followed. Electric shock is not the only hazard. Where electrical arcing occurs, perhaps as a result of accidental short circuit, the heat generated can be intense and, even if it persists for only a very short time, it can cause deep-seated and slow-healing burns.

Electricians often fail to appreciate the very real risk of injury that can arise from arcing. As a result, there are several hundred serious burn accidents each year arising from unsafe working practices. The intense ultraviolet radiation from an electric arc can also cause damage to the eyes. Arcing, overheating and, in some cases, electrical leakage currents can cause fire or explosion by igniting flammable materials. This can cause death, injury and considerable financial loss. Most electrical accidents occur because people are working on or near equipment that is:

• Thought to be dead but is still live
• Known to be live, but those involved do not have adequate training or appropriate equipment or they have not taken the adequate precautions