Recommended frequencies of inspection of electrical installations

Type of Installation Routine Check
(sub-clause 3.5)		 Maximum period between inpections & testing as necessary Reference (see notes below)
General Installation
Domestic   Change of occupancy
or 10 years		  
Commercial 1 year Change ofoccupancy
or 5 years		 1, 2
Educational establishments 4 months 5 years 1, 2
Hospitals 1 year 5 years 1, 2
Industrial 1 year 3 years 1, 2
Residential Accomodation At change
of occupancy		 5 years 1
Offices 1 year 5 years 1, 2
Shops 1 year 5 years 1, 2
Laboratories 1 year 5 years 1, 2
Buildings open to the public      
Cinemas 1 year 3 years 2, 6, 7
Church Installtions 1 year 5 years 2
Leisure Complexes
(excluding swimming pools)		 1 year 3 years 1, 2, 6
Places of Public entertainment 1 year 3 years 1, 2, 6
Restaurants and Hotels 1 year 5 years 1, 2, 6
Theatres 1 year 3 years 2, 6, 7
Public Houses 1 year 5 years 1, 2, 6
Village Halls / Community centres 1 year 5 years 1, 2
Special Installations  
Agricultural and Horticulture 1 year 3 years 1, 2
Caravans 1 year 3 years  
Caravan Parks 6 months 1 year 1, 2, 6
Highway power supplies As convenient 6 years  
Marinas 4 Months 1 year 1, 2
Fish Farms 4 Months 1 year 1, 2
Swimming Pools 4 Months 1 year 1, 2, 6
Emergency Lighting Daily / monthly 3 years 2, 3, 4
Fire Alarms Daily / meekly
/ monthly		 1 year 2, 4, 5
Laundrettes 1 year 1 year 1, 2, 6
Petrol Filling Stations 1 year 1 year 1, 2, 6
Construction site Installations 3 months 3 months 1, 2

Reference key

1) Particular attention must be taken to comply with SI 1988 No 1057. The Electrical Supply Regulations 1988 (as amended).
2) SI 1989 No 635. The Electricity at Work Regulastions 1989 (Regulation 4 & Memorandum).
3) See BS 5266: Part 1: 1988 Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises other than cinemas and certain
other specified premises used for entertainment.
4) Other intervals are recommended for testing operation of batteries and generators.
5) See BS 5839: Part 1: Code of practice for system design installtion and servicing (Fire detection and alarm systems for
buildings).
6) Local Authority Conditions of Licence.
7) SI 1995 No 1129 (Clause 27) The Cinematograph (Safety) Regulations.