PORTABLE APPLIANCE TESTING
All new electrical wiring should be installed in accordance with the "Regulations for Electrical Installations" issued by the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE), Current Edition, under British Standard BS 7671.
Only electrical contractors enrolled with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) or members of the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) should be employed for work in churches. The NICEIC carries out periodical and random inspections of contractors work; should any remedial work be required to repair faulty work, then this is carried out at the contractors' expense. The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) operate a guarantee scheme for the work of their members - work done which does not comply with the safety requirements of the Wiring Regulations will be rectified, at the members' expense.
Advice on the requirements for a faculty to install new wiring or modify or extend existing wiring, is given in "Wiring of Churches" - ISBN 07151 75180 published by Church House Publishing.
Inspection and Testing.
Churches should have their electrical installations inspected and tested every five years in accordance with the recommendations of the Church Buildings Council. The inspection and testing should be carried out in accordance with IEE Regulations. Guidance Note No. 3, and an inspection certificate obtained in every case. The certificate should be kept with the church records.
The switchgear in the church should be labelled to show
- the date of the most recent inspection, and
- the date of the recommended future inspection.
In addition to Portable Appliance Testing by a competent person, the Church Authorities should conduct a thorough physical examination of all portable appliances regularly. Worn flexes , broken plugs or sockets etc., should be replaced immediately by a qualified electrician. A record of the examination should be maintained.
The Health and Safety Executive publication "Maintaining portable electrical equipment in offices and other low-risk environments', Ref: INDG236 - ISBN 07176 12724, gives guidance on how and when inspections should be carried out.
