Fire safety
Fire safety in kitchens
Fires in kitchen and cooking areas are very common, often resulting in extensive damage to the premises and disruption to the business.
Electrical inspections and safety
21 May 2024
It’s important that fixed electrical systems are properly designed, installed and maintained by competent electricians in accordance with current standards.
Typical electrical ignition sources include the following:
- Overloaded circuits
- Damaged leads
- Multiple adaptors and extension leads
- Unchecked or unmaintained wiring equipment
- Portable appliances
- Accumulation of dust around cooling fans or equipment
- Lighting if placed close to a combustible material (for example, art displays, notice boards, stage sets).
It’s important that fixed electrical systems are properly designed, installed and maintained by competent electricians in accordance with current standards. Systems must be tested at a minimum every five years.
For commercial properties: as insurers, we require work to be carried out by electricians with full scope registration or membership to work on commercial installations who are also 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) or The Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland (SELECT).
For portable electrical appliances, the inspection period for testing will vary. The Health and Safety Executive provides further guidance.
Defective appliances need to be fixed or removed from the premises and inspection and testing must be carried out by a competent person.