Office Compliance
PAT testing: The Electricity at Work Regulations place a legal responsibility on employers to take reasonably practicable steps to ensure that no danger results from the use of electrical equipment. This in effect requires the implementation of a regular program of maintenance, inspection and testing. A recommendation of annual PAT testing should be considered.
5 year fixed wiring and inspection: Electricity at Work Regulations require all electrical systems and equipment used in the working environment to be in a safe condition. The health and safety executive requires an inspection and testing schedule in all work places. This maintenance for fuse boards and samples of mains wiring would be typically 5 years for commercial installations.
Emergency Lighting/Flick Tests/Dead Tests: Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, article 17 details the Responsible Person duty on maintenance. Emergency lighting falls under this article as its function is to indicate clearly means of escape, provide illumination along such routes to allow safe egress through escape routes and exits and to ensure fire alarm points, extinguishers etc provided can be readily located.
Daily visual checks off all emergency lighting are recommended; Monthly Flick tests are required, flicking off the system to allow the fire exit lights to work. This test must be recorded. Annual Dead Test is also required; this involves removing all power to the building/area to test that emergency lighting remains working.
Fire Alarms & Sprinklers: Fire Alarm Regulations BS5839 require the duty holder to undertake periodic checks to ensure the functionality of the system. Failure to keep the Fire Alarm System in working order could lead to the local Fire Brigade serving enforcement notices requiring compliance. They also have the authority to close any building which does not meet this act.
Water Hygiene Tests. Compliance with the legislative guidelines, combined with a programme of regular audit and monitoring can ensure that legionella bacteria are kept absent from systems or below levels which are considered to present significant risk. Regularity of testing will depend upon your risk assessment.
Below is a list of the regulations that need to be considered for office compliance:
|
Aspect |
Requirements |
Frequency |
Applicable Law |
|
AHU’s |
Filter changes Regular maintenance |
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|
BMS |
Regular maintenance |
|
|
|
Boilers (gas) |
Regular servicing, ‘Gas Safe’ Inspection Provision of Gas Safety Certificate |
Annually |
Gas Safe |
|
CCTV |
Cleaning of exterior lenses |
|
|
|
Drainage |
Rodding of drains |
|
|
|
Electrical System |
Fixed electrical installation inspection and testing |
5 yearly or 20% per year |
NECEIC Regulations Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 |
|
Emergency Lighting |
Testing Replacement of bulbs and batteries |
Monthly flick test, Six monthly 1 hour test, Yearly discharge test – 3 hours |
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 |
|
Fan Coils HVAC |
Regular servicing |
|
|
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Fire Alarm |
Regular maintenance, Testing of call points and sounders, Testing of detectors |
Weekly alarm test Yearly test of detectors |
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 |
|
Fire Extinguisher |
Servicing and inspection |
Annual |
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 |
|
Fire Doors |
Maintenance and inspection |
Annual |
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 |
|
General Lighting |
Replacement |
|
|
|
Guttering |
Cleaning |
|
|
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Lightning Protection |
Inspection |
Annual |
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 |
|
Lifts |
Servicing, Insurance Inspection |
6 months |
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 |
|
PAT Testing |
Visual inspection, Formal PAT test |
Annual – three yearly depending on risk |
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 |
|
Pest Control |
Changing of bait |
|
|
|
Pressure Systems |
Maintenance and inspection |
Generally annually |
Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 |
|
Revolving/Automatic Doors |
Maintenance and inspection |
|
|
|
Emergency Communication System |
Testing |
Monthly |
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 |
|
Toilet Extract |
Cleaning |
|
|
|
Water Cooler Machine |
Maintenance |
|
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Water Hygiene |
Disinfection, Flushing, Microbiological Testing Review |
Weekly flushing low use outlets Monthly temperature checks Quarterly microbiological sampling Disinfection when required |
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
L8 ACOP |
|
Water Softener |
Maintenance |
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Windows |
Cleaning |
|
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Expansion Vessels |
Maintenance/Testing |
As per L8 recommendations |
COSHH 2002 / L8 |
|
Cold Water Storage |
Cleaning / Temperature Checks |
Generally Annual cleaning / inspection, monthly temperature checks. |
COSHH 2002 / L8 |
|
Pumps |
Maintenance |
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Radiators |
Maintenance |
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Fall Arrest |
Testing and Inspection |
At least every 12 months |
Working at Height Regulations 2005 BSEN795: ‘Protection Against Falls From Height, Anchorage Devices, Requirements And Testing’ |
|
Trace heating |
Testing and Inspection |
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UPS |
Testing and Inspection |
Generally 6/12 monthly |
|
|
Fire Risk Assessment |
Inspection / Review |
Generally annually |
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 |
Our range of services include re lamping, regular office handyman services, air conditioning services, whiteboard hanging and floor box moves.
C|S|M can ensure that you remain compliant with all of the above and many more regulations ensuring you keep your workforce safe and happy.