Legal Requirements
Appliance Testing
It is a legal requirement since 1st April 1990 for all employers and self employed to have their portable appliances and equipment periodically tested in order to comply with the safety regulations.
Installation Testing
All employers (as plant and property owners and operators) have legal obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, to ensure that electrical installations and equipment in places of work are safe. They must also ensure that fire alarm and emergency lighting systems meet the approved requirements of insurance agencies and fire officers.
Testing should be carried out at the following frequencies:
| Area | Frequency |
| Agricultural & horticultural | 3 years |
| Caravan sites | 1 year |
| Caravans | 3 years |
| Churches over 5 years old | 1 year |
| Churches under 5 years old | 2 years |
| Cinemas | 1 year |
| Commercial premises | 5 years |
| Domestic | 10 years |
| Educational establishments | 5 years |
| Industrial premesis | 3 years |
| Leisure complexes | 1 year |
| Petrol filling stations | 1 year |