Compliance maintenance refers to the act of ensuring your facility is adhering to all relevant statutory and regulatory laws and legislation. At Melwood Facilities, our team can ensure your company’s facility will remain compliant at all times.
Our Statutory Inspection services are carried out by fully accredited engineers providing all the necessary tests and remedial work to issue certification.
What does a Statutory Inspection by Melwood Facilities Include?
Electrical Inspection Conditioning Report (EICR)
An EICR is an electrical installation condition report, on the condition of an electrical installation. The process involves a combination of inspection and testing to determine if the electrical installation is safe for continued use.
A comprehensive approach to ensure all installations are safe, an EICR is designed to identify old, faulty or malfunctioning electrical installations that may cause a threat to occupants. Statistically, 18% of all domestic fires in England are caused by faulty wires and cables, which illustrates the importance of a full EICR.
With qualified, experienced and accredited inspectors, Melwood Facilities will thoroughly inspect fixed electrical elements of your property, including wires, sockets and power outlets, light fittings, fuse boxes, showers and extractors. Just some of the potential infringements our team could identify include overload electrical installations, potential shock risks and fire hazards, any defective electricals or a lack of earthing or bonding (build into property to prevent electrical shocks).
As of 1st April 2021, all tenancies in England are required to have a valid EICR certificate. Previous known as ‘Fixed Wire Testing’, an EICR must be carried out by a qualified and accredited inspector to ensure all electrical installations are tested and will not cause fire risks or electrical shocks.
Although an EICR is not mandatory for some properties and commercial places, it is required by law for residential landlords in England, Scotland and Wales, to ensure tenants and their belongings are protected.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT Test)
A full PAT test includes a visual inspection of the appliance and an in-depth check using specialised PAT testing equipment. This test checks earth continuity, lead polarity, and insulation resistance of portable electronic appliances. Usually, faulty electrical appliances are identifiable visually, but some defects can only be detected by testing.
Any electrical appliances that has a plug connected to a mains socket or generator requires PAT testing. This includes items such as electric drills and power tools, fridges, kettles, toasters, monitors & PCs. In commercial properties, additional electricals such as photocopiers and vending machines require PAT testing. Although all new portable appliances should be supplied and installed in a safe condition, it’s important to ensure all electricals are tested. A PAT test is all the more essential for old and antiquated portable appliances in domestic and commercial environments, as materials can deteriorate and legislation is constantly changing.
Many portable electricals and household essentials seem harmless, but it’s crucial to understand that faulty portable appliances can cost lives.
Melwood Facilities’ PAT testing services entails a formal visual inspection of all portable electronic appliances at appropriate intervals, testing the equipment and the environment it is used in. Our qualified, experienced and accredited team will use fully-calibrated equipment to conduct PAT testing services, ensuring equipment is being operated correctly and provide an accurate, actionable interpretation of test results with a full report.
Melwood Facilities’ engineers conform to BS EN ISO 9001.
Fire Extinguishers Supply & Servicing
Employers and Landlords have a legal responsibility under the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order to ensure that fire extinguishers are provided within the workplace and are regularly serviced. A fire extinguisher is used to stop fires at the earlier opportunity. When utilised correctly, a fire extinguisher can prevent fires from causing harm to occupants and prevent further damages to buildings and equipment.
A fire extinguisher on site is the first line of defence in most fire case scenarios. Needless to say, Fire Extinguishers need to be present in all commercial and domestic properties, and they need to work. Melwood Facilities’ engineers will identify the most crucial and effective areas to install fire extinguishers and ensure they’re performing effectively to combat flames in emergency situations.
After a thorough inspection of the property to assess requirements, Melwood Facilities’ inspectors will supply extinguishers from reputable and trusted brands with access to spare parts and refills. Conforming to BS 5308 Pt8, our team will professionally place and position extinguishers at the correct height and position as per regulatory requirements.
All fire extinguishers must be manufactured to high standards and in accordance with BS EN3, CE-approved, kitemarked and fire-rated for assurance.
Fire Alarm Services & Installation
Fire alarm installation servicing testing is a legal requirement. As an employer, you’re not only obligated under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) to safeguard your employees, but you’re also required to keep your fire safety measures up to scratch under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, 2005.
To give occupants the earliest chance of identifying danger is fire scenarios, a high-standard, maintained and vigorously tested Fire Alarm System is essential. A fire alarm system should be compliant with British Standard 5839.
Melwood Facilities install and maintain the appropriate fire alarm for your business property or residence. Our fire alarm services and installation process includes;
- Checking for any structural or occupancy changes to assess whether a change of fire alarm system is necessary.
- Scrutinise fire alarm history for any false/irregular records.
- Inspect and test batteries.
- Check and test control panel functionality of alarm system.
- Check the condition and sound levels of all alarm system devices.
- Inspect and test standby battery.
- Any additional tests recommended by the fire alarm system manufacturer.
- Identify any other fire alarm system issues with actionable plan and quote.
- Issue a BS 5839 compliance report.
Emergency Lighting Installation & Servicing
An emergency lighting system is essential for emergency situations and evacuating safely. If the main power supply fails and normal lighting is disrupted due to a power cut, fire or failure in the lighting system, an emergency lighting system helps to illuminate interior rooms and spaces for safety.
No matter what the emergency, darkness will only make matters worse the situation more challenging, which is why a rigorously tested emergency lighting system is required for public safety.
The main priorities of an emergency lighting system is reliability. To facilitate evacuation if the main-powered lighting system fails during a fire, an emergency lighting system must be manufactured in accordance to British Standards.
Essential for residential apartment blocks, office buildings and public places, Melwood Facilities can install battery-operated emergency lighting system in strategically crucial positions in your building to help occupants find exit routes and safely evacuate.
The emergency lighting system must be subjected to periodic testing to ensure functionality should any such system be required. Our experienced and dedicated team can inspect lighting tubes, batteries and overall performance to ensure your emergency lighting system is operational should there be a power outage.
Areas We Cover
For a complete fire risk assessment in Wigan, from a team of fully-accredited, certified fire safety assessors, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.
Here at Melwood, we’re proud to offer industry-leading, local services to properties across the North-West. Some of our most popular areas of service include:
- Greater Manchester (Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Eccles, Wigan, Bolton)
- Lancashire (Preston, Blackpool, Blackburn)
- Merseyside (Liverpool, Warrington, St. Helens)
- Stoke-On-Trent
- Crewe
For more information about our Compliance Project Management or any Statutory Inspections offered above please contact the Melwood team at hello@melwoodfacilities.co.uk
