The frequency of periodic inspection and testing must be determined taking into account:
The table below provides guidance on the frequency of formal inspections of electrical installations as well as routine checks. (Table extracted from BS7671 IET Wiring Regulations 18th Edition: 2018).
| Type of Installation | Routine check | Maximum period between inspections and testing as necessary |
General Installation | ||
| Domestic accommodation – general Domestic accmomdation – rented houses and flats | – 1 year | change of occupancy/10 years change of occupancy/5 years |
| Residential accommodation (Houses of Multiple Occupation) – halls of residence, nurses accommodation, etc. | 1 year | change of occupancy/5 years |
| Educational establishments | 6 months | 5 years |
| Industrial | 1 year | 3 years |
| Commercial | 1 year | Change of occupancy/5 years |
| Offices | 1 year | 5 years |
| Shops | 1 year | 5 years |
| Laboratories | 1 year | 5 years |
Hospitals and Clinics | ||
| Hospitals and medical clinics – general areas Hospitals and medical clinics – medical locations | 1 year 6 months | 5 years 1 year |
Buildings open to the public | ||
| Cinemas | 1 year | 1-3 years |
| Church installations | 1 year | 5 years |
| Leisure complexes (excluding swimming pools) | 1 year | 3 years |
| Places of public entertainment | 1 year | 3 years |
| Restaurants and hotels | 1 year | 5 years |
| Theatres | 1 year | 3 years |
| Public houses | 1 year | 5 years |
| Village halls/Community centres | 1 year | 5 years |
Special and specific installations | ||
| Agricultural and horticultural | 1 year | 3 years |
| Swimming pools | 4 months | 1 year |
| Caravans Caravan parks | 1 year 6 months | 3 years 1 year |
| Highway power supplies | as convenient | 6-8 years |
| Marinas | 4 months | 1 year |
| Fish farms | 4 months | 1 year |
| Emergency lighting | daily/monthly | 3 years |
| Fire alarms | daily/weekly | 1 year |
| Launderettes | monthly | 1 year |
| Petrol filling stations | 1 year | 1 year |
| Construction site installations | 3 months | 3 months |
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