S​chool's guide to electrical safety testing this Summer break

For schools, colleges and universities, the summer break is an ideal opportunity for some housekeeping before re-opening for the autumn term – and that should include electrical safety testing.

Every education establishment has the legal obligation to ensure that all of its electrical equipment is fit for purpose and safe to use, but it can be difficult to fit in testing during busy term times. After all, there is a lot to consider when it comes to electrical equipment in schools and it’s vital that nothing is overlooked.

From computers and other electronic devices to classroom lighting, heating, fire and security systems, there is a lot of pressure on a schools’ electrical installations on a day-to-day basis and regular testing is strongly advised to ensure everything is compliant and safe for all who use it.

Common issues that we see in education settings include:

-Damaged sockets, exposed wires and frayed cords, which can be a shock hazard to teachers and students.

-Overloaded sockets and extension cords, which are fire hazards.

-Outdated electrical equipment that could overheat and start a fire.

-Faulty electrical equipment – even seemingly innocent appliances like kettles can be dangerous if faulty.

The summer holidays are the ideal time to carry out electrical testing. This is not only because the site will be empty and there will be minimal disruption - it also allows time for any remedial work that may be required to achieve compliance be completed before students return.

All electrical equipment, fittings and installations should be inspected by a competent and qualified person on a regular basis, in addition to staff conducting regular visual checks for any obvious faults.

An electrical installation includes all fixed electrical equipment that is supplied through an electricity meter, such as cables, accessories (like sockets, switches and light fittings), fuse boxes, circuit breakers and residual current devices (RCDs).

A fixed wire test inspects and assesses an electrical installation’s main electrical wiring system to ensure it is safe to use and complies with British Standard BS 7671.

Electrical Equipment Testing (EET), also known as PAT testing, examines portable electrical equipment and appliances, like computers, laptops, toasters and fridges, to ensure they are safe to use.

Student and staff safety is not something that should be compromised so we recommend annual electrical installation and equipment testing for schools, colleges and universities.

We are the UK’s leading provider of electrical testing and we have the largest team of specialist statutory electrical testing operators in the industry. We also have a reputation for excellent customer service and high-quality work – we are proud to be a 5 star Trustpilot business.

Talk to our team today about how we can support your school’s electrical safety testing this summer – our services include statutory electrical testing, including EET/PAT tests and fixed wire testing, inspection services, maintenance and remedial work.