Why Should I have a Periodic Inspection Report?   

Electrical installations, just like anything else, deteriorate over time. Whether they are used regularly or not. To prevent the occurrence of fire or injury, these electrical installations must be inspected regularly to ensure that they are safe and in good condition.

What is a PIR?

A PIR is a complete report on the state of an electrical installation including the wiring and fittings in a property. The report is not the same as a safety certificate but a report on the condition of the electrics at the time of inspection.

The electrical installation is inspected and tested using the latest safety standards as the basis and a report is created. The report includes specifications of the electrical system, elements that are examined and tested, any electrical faults, observations and test results.

In the observations section of the report, you can find elements and items that should be fixed, complete with a time frame and a code. Then you can set a budget aside from the work that should be done or for another inspection. Here are the codes used in the report:

• Code 1 Needs immediate action
• Code 2 Needs improvement
• Code 3 Needs further inspection
• Code 4 Does not meet the standard set in BS 7671

The PIR can also be of use when you are planning to buy a property. It would be sensible to spend a little money for a PIR prior to making a purchase. This is also applicable if you are a landlord and renting your property. It is a way of determining the level of safety for your tenants.

Enough reasons to have a PIR?

Technology gets better and we obtain more and more electrical gadgets. They all require electricity and we all plug them into the wall to charge them or operate them. The electrical system in your house gets more use than it did even 5 years ago. And in five years your electrical installation is subject to deterioration. Here are 2 more reasons to have a PIR conducted on a property to determine its level of electrical safety.

Only a thorough inspection can determine the true condition of an electrical system, where almost everything is hidden from view. For instance, when you push a light switch and the bulb turns on you cannot be certain that the wires connecting it are still in good condition. Somewhere along that line of wire a shield may have been cracked due to age or rats may have eaten it away, and this kind of damage may cause a fire.

How much does a PIR cost?

The cost of a PIR in London will rely on various factors:

• The quantity of circuits
• The dimension of the property and number of quarters
• The proper tagging of circuits on the panel board
• Ease of access for the persons doing the PIR

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