There are a number of key factors to consider that will help to keep your church safe.
Portable appliance testing
Portable appliance testing examines electrical equipment connected to the mains by a lead and plug. It will involve visual inspections and appliance testing based on:
- type of equipment
- what it is used for
- the risk of it becoming faulty
- age of the equipment.
The periodicity for inspection and testing will vary. The Health and Safety Executive provides further guidance on its website. Any defective or problematic appliances should be repaired or removed from the premises. Inspection and testing must be carried out by a competent person.
Fixed electrical systems
Church fires can often be related to defective wiring. Inspections are therefore vital to check for any issues before they cause damage or injury.
- Fixed electrical systems must be properly designed, installed, and maintained
- Systems should be inspected and tested AT LEAST once every five years for churches and ten years for domestic premises
- Competent electricians should be used, with full-scope registration or membership to work on commercial installations for churches, and certified with:
- The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC)
- The Electrical Contractors Association (ECA)
- The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT)
- The Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland (SELECT)
- All work should meet IET Regulations, Guidance Note No. 3, and an electrical installation and conditioning report should be issued upon completion.
Please note - electricians or electrical contractors who are only registered to undertake work on domestic installations under Part P of the Building Regulations are not deemed acceptable by Baptist Insurance.