Periodic electrical safety inspection report (NICEIC-PIR)

We provide portable appliance testing, electrical inspection and reports, full electrical test for commercial and domestic properties.

PIR certificate Example

Table of contents :

1. What are the landlords’ obligation under Landlord and Tenant Act 1985?
2. What is a periodic inspection report?
3. What does a periodic electrical inspection cover?
4. Why is a periodic inspection needed?
5. When is a periodic inspection needed?
6. What happens during a periodic inspection?
7. What happens after a periodic Inspection?

We are a leading provider of Gas and Electrical Safety Inspections, safety services and advice for business, commercial and domestic customers in all London boroughs, Camden, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, Westminster, Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kingston, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond, Sutton, Waltham Forest and all post codes starting with (W-TW-SW-NW-E-SE-HA-KT-UB-SM). In recent years, an ever-increasing range of UK legislation has been introduced to ensure the safe operation of gas appliances and electrical equipment, both in the home and in a business environment. Whether you are a Homeowner, a Landlord or a Business Manager, you need to be aware of your obligations, and we can help ensure that you stay on the right side of the law.

What are the landlords’ obligation under Landlord and Tenant Act 1985?
Directly applicable for Landlords and Letting Agents is the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, which requires that the electrical installation in a property is safe when the tenancy begins, and that it is maintained in a safe condition throughout the tenancy. Where portable electrical equipment is provided as part of the tenancy agreement, there is also an obligation to ensure that it is adequately inspected by a skilled person to ensure that it is safe. We offer periodic electrical safety inspection by one of our team of trained engineers, at the start of a tenancy and at intervals thereafter, as part of a combined gas and electrical safety inspection programme.

All electrical work is carried out in compliance with BS7671 and NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contractors) regulations.

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What is a periodic inspection report?

A periodic inspection report (PIR) is a formal method of recording the findings of the periodic inspection, on at least three pages for domestic installations and six pages for larger installations.

A Periodic Inspection is an inspection on the condition of an existing electrical installation, to identify (in order of priority) any deficiencies against the national safety standard for electrical installations.

The main purpose of a PIR is to report on the safety condition of an existing installation. Box E on page 1 should describe the overall condition as either ‘satisfactory’, in which case no immediate remedial work is required, or ‘unsatisfactory’ which means remedial work is required to make the installation safe to use.

This is where any departures from BS 7671 are recorded, and a code to indicate the urgency of the action needed is given.

Code 1 Requires urgent attention

Code 2 Requires improvement

Code 3 Requires further investigation

Code 4 Does not comply with BS 7671

Code 1 indicates a dangerous, or potentially dangerous, condition that requires urgent attention to make the installation safe. Once the necessary remedial work has been completed, an appropriate certificate should be issued to confirm that the remedial work has been carried out in accordance with BS 7671.

The electrician will give a summary of the inspection in the report, which will give a clear indication of the condition of the electrical installation, taking into account all relevant circumstances.

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What does a periodic electrical inspection cover?

1.     periodic electrical inspection reveals if any of your electrical circuits or equipment is overloaded

2.     periodic electrical inspection finds any potential electrical shock risks and fire hazards in your electrical installation

3.     periodic electrical inspection identifies any defective DIY electrical work

4.     periodic electrical inspection highlights any lack of earthing or bonding

Tests are also carried out on wiring and associated fixed electrical equipment to check that it is safe. A schedule of circuits will also be provided, which is invaluable for a property.

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Why is a periodic inspection needed?

Every electrical installation deteriorates with use and age. It is important for the person responsible for the maintenance of the installation to be sure that the safety of users is not put at risk, and that the installation continues to be in a safe and serviceable condition.

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When is a periodic inspection needed?

It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at least every:

• 10 years for a domestic installation
• 5 years for a commercial installation
• 3 years for caravans
• 1 year for swimming pools

Other instances when a periodic inspection should be carried out are:

• when a property is being prepared to be let
• prior to selling a property or when buying a previously occupied property

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What happens during a periodic inspection?

The electrician will check the electrical installation against the requirements of BS 7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations ( IEE Wiring Regulations) – as amended, which is the national safety standard for electrical installations, and contains around 850 Regulations.

The periodic inspection will take into account all relevant circumstances including the following factors:

1.     Adequacy of earthing and bonding

2.     Suitability of the switchgear and controlgear e.g. consumer unit e.g. an old fusebox with a wooden back, cast iron switches, a haphazard mixture of such equipment is likely to need replacing

3.     Serviceability of equipment e.g. switches, socket-outlets and light fittings e.g. older round pin sockets, round light switches and braided flex hanging from ceiling roses to light fittings, black switches, sockets mounted in skirting boards may require replacing.

4.     Type of wiring system and its condition e.g. cables coated in black- rubber, black-rubber was phased out in the 1960s or cables coated in lead or fabric are even older and may need replacing (modern cables use pvc insulation)

5.     Provision of residual current devices for socket-outlets that may be used to plug in electrical equipment used outdoors

6.     Presence of adequate identification and notices

7.     Extent of any wear and tear, damage or other deterioration

8.     Changes in use of the premises which have led to, or might lead to, deficiencies in the installation.

The electrician will provide a periodic inspection report (PIR) as part of the periodic inspection.

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What happens after a periodic Inspection?

If the report recommends improvements to the installation, ask for a fixed price quotation for the remedial work .

We provide a comprehensive service to the residential housing market, where Landlords, Buy-to-let Investors and Local Government Organisations may face the possibility of stiff penalties if they fail to ensure that all gas and electrical appliances and installations in their tenanted homes are safe. Homeowners (and particularly home buyers & sellers) are also well advised to be able to provide evidence that a domestic property has been subject to a recent safety inspection, and that all gas appliances and electrical equipment can be operated safely.

We have opted to make flexibility and convenience for the customer a priority, and will provide a multi-skilled engineer (often at short notice) to carry out combined gas and electrical safety inspections. Additionally, their resulting safety inspection report will be completed by the engineer at the time of their visit, saving time and money. Landlords, Letting Agents, Buy-to-let Investors and Local Government Organisations can plan their annual gas and electrical safety inspection schedules with a minimum of inconvenience, and Homeowners and Buyers can ensure their homes are safe with only a single phone call.

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