What Is Fixed-Wire Testing?

Discuss specialist equipment and separate sources of power explicitly. A generator, uninterruptible power supply or solar installation creates interfaces that must be understood when planning isolation. Do not assume a general building inspection includes every specialist system or the internal workings of connected machinery.

Portable appliance testing is a separate activity. Testing an appliance does not assess the complete fixed installation, and a fixed installation report does not replace the appliance maintenance programme.

Inspection and testing require more than an appointment with reception. The inspector needs access to relevant electrical equipment, rooms and circuit information. Some work requires the supply to be isolated, so the building team must prepare for interruptions.

Before the visit:

1. Gather previous reports, circuit schedules and certificates for alterations.
2. Identify equipment that needs a controlled shutdown and restart.
3. Confirm keys, escorts and permission to enter occupied areas.
4. Notify affected users and agree the sequence of interruptions.
5. Name the person authorised to respond to urgent findings.

In an office, this includes coordinating IT shutdowns. In a shop, it includes trading and security arrangements. In a managed building, access to tenant spaces needs to be resolved separately from access to common parts.

The report should identify the installation examined, observations, test information, overall assessment and limitations. A clear circuit description is valuable: a finding attached only to an unexplained number is harder to locate and resolve later.

Ask for an explanation of the findings and their urgency. Keep corrective work, further investigation and suggested improvements identifiable in the action plan. Link completion evidence back to the report rather than storing it in an unrelated repairs folder.

Where access prevented part of the work, arrange the next step. A limitation describes the boundary of the assessment; it is not evidence that the unexamined area is safe.

The terms are often used together. Fixed wire testing describes the inspection and testing activity; the EICR is the resulting condition report when that is the commissioned assessment. Confirm the report and scope in the quotation.

Agree the programme around the building's operation. Some activities can be organised in stages, but required isolation still needs a planned interruption. Identify the affected areas and equipment before selecting working hours.

The report relates to its recorded extent and limitations. Read those details, especially where equipment or spaces were inaccessible. Discuss any concerns outside the agreed scope and arrange the appropriate further assessment.

HSE's electrical safety FAQs explain the role of competent inspection and testing. Read what an EICR is.

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