Numerous church fires can be attributed to faulty wiring or electrical installations.

The Council for the Care of Churches recommends that churches have their electrical installations inspected and tested every five years, every three years if the church has a public entertainment license. It is also recommended by the HSE that there is an inspection (but not a test) carried out every year.

It is the responsibility of the Church Wardens to ensure that the necessary testing is performed and that any repairs required are undertaken. There may be questions regarding the validity of your church insurance in the event of an electrical fire if testing and maintenance of your electrical installation are neglected. Click here to see some examples of dangerous wiring that we have found during testing

It is also recommended that all portable electrical appliances, that is any appliance that is plugged in rather than permanently wired in, are inspected and tested on a regular basis to minimise the risks of injury to users.

Contractors undertaking testing work in churches should be enrolled with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) or the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA).

CES provide a full inspection and testing and maintenance service. Undertaking this type of work in church buildings poses its own particular problems. We are specialists working only in this area, so who better to look after your electrical installation.

If you are concerned about the testing or maintenance of your church's electrical system why not contact us for an informal discussion?