What is a thermographic survey and why should you routinely undertake them?

Thermographic surveys detect abnormally high temperatures and are a non-disruptive way of inspecting installations, so your business operation isn’t affected.

What are the reasons for high temperatures?

  • A fault with the equipment
  • Overloading sockets in your workplace
  • Loose connections
  • The age of the equipment – gradual wear and tear.

Why should you undertake a thermographic survey?

These surveys help you identify hot spots in electrical systems that you might not be able to see and makes sure that they are running safely. With a thermographic survey, you can rest assured that any faults are dealt with and, as it is non-disruptive in nature, there is no down time for you to be affected by.

What does a Thermal image look like?

Based on infrared radiation, thermal images will have a range of colours. The hottest areas of the thermal image from the thermographic survey will be yellow in colour, the coolest will appear in blue.

 

How often should Thermographic inspections be carried out?

The Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) recommend routine inspections to the electrical installation between the formal periodic inspections. Thermographic surveys of critical parts for an installation could mean they have to be isolated in order for them to be inspected. This would obviously cause disruption however, a routine thermographic inspection of these parts will help your business to run and could identify underlying defects which in turn could lead to a failure of the electrical supply. This shows how important it is to have thermographic inspections routinely incorporated in to the maintenance schedules to stay safe.

What can a Thermographic inspection survey?

We can inspect any electrical system or equipment that you might have a concern about. Items include:

  • LV transformers
  • Control panels
  • Cable runs & terminals
  • Motor and pumps
  • Heating, ventilation and air conditioning panels
  • Electrical distribution boards
  • Main panel boards
  • Power busbars
  • Electrical risers and tap off units
  • Essential power
  • Generators

Who will carry out a thermographic inspection at Veriserv?

Themographic surveys are carried out by our experienced electrically qualified inspection and test engineers. Analysis will be undertaken during the survey and action will be taken immediately if an issue arises or is reported on.

Please call 01543 225306 or fill out one of our contact forms to discuss our service levels and to run a thermographic inspection for your business. Talk to us today so we can keep you and your business safe.

How to check that your electrical installations are compliant

Keeping your electrical installations compliant should be of paramount importance for any business owner. Making sure your business is compliant and has all of the correct certificates will not only keep you and your employees safe but eliminate any threat of legal action should the worst happen. There are a number of ways that you can check to make sure you are compliant to BS 7671 for your electrical systems:

  • You should have an EICR, electrical installation condition report that you can refer to. If the report shows any ‘unsatisfactory’ levels, then you should have been made aware of the remedial work that needs to be carried out to rectify it.
  • If remedial works or other modifications have been undertaken to your installation you may have Minor Works or Electrical Installation certificates to keep on record demonstrating your compliance.

 

 

If you are not sure if your business is compliant and up-to-date with a fixed wire testing and inspection please call 01543 225306 or fill out one of our contact forms and we can assist

Approved Electrician – Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Vacancy code- ETE-SOT

Job Summary

We require an experienced electrician to undertake Electrical Periodic Inspections, remedial and other related works for our prestigious social housing client.

The role requires an enthusiastic and conscientious approach with the possibility of progression to a supervisor status.

Experience is essential with a proven track record of working within social housing with an approach that promotes the improvement to the clients housing stock.

Qualifications

Full apprenticeship with AM2 and/or equivalent Electrical City & Guilds qualifications.

C&G 2382 17th or 18th Edition

C&G 2391 or C&G 2394/5

Essential Experience & Skills

Good communication skills and resolve for technical issues

Conversant with BS7671 with particular regard to amendment 3

Good working knowledge of Domestic Installation Conditions Reports (DEICR)

Experience of BS5839-6 Smoke and Heat Detectors in dwellings

Remuneration Package

Van, uniform, mobile phone and specialist tools & equipment will be provided.

40 hours per week, plus travel, quality bonus & average earnings holiday pay

Veriserv are an equal opportunities employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £33,200 basic with OTE in excess of £45,000

Click here to apply – Remember to insert the VACANCY CODE stated above and select ‘Advertised Vacancy’ when applying for this particular role to enable us to process your application.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Emergency Lighting Testing – Is your Business up to date?

Emergency lighting should be tested regularly to ensure it is compliant and works correctly, allowing occupants to safely evacuate a building in the event of an emergency.

Are your emergency lights operating or compliant with current regulations?

This maybe a question you ask yourself from time to time, but ensuring your emergency lighting fully performs in the event of an emergency is crucial for compliance with statutory requirements and to give you peace of mind.

Monthly emergency lighting tests:

All emergency lighting systems must be tested monthly. The test is a short functional test in accordance with BS EN 50172 / BS 5266-8.

The period of simulated failure should be sufficient for the purpose of this test while minimising damage to the system components, e.g. lamps. During this period, all luminaires and signs shall be checked to ensure that they are present, clean and functioning correctly.

Annual emergency lighting tests:

A test for the full rated duration of the emergency lights (e.g. 3 hours) must be carried out. The emergency lights must still be working at the end of this test.

The result of the monthly and annual tests must be recorded and, if failures are detected, these must be remedied as soon as possible.

How can Veriserv help you?

Carrying out routine inspections to your emergency light installation is just part of the service that we offer. Veriserv offer various service levels of inspection that will ensure compliance, functionality and maintainability of your installation.

What is incorporated in the various service levels?

All inspections involve basic functional tests whereby the emergency light installation undergoes a “drop test”.  This test ensures that all fittings are operated in emergency mode and remain operative for the required duration.

A number of other checks are routinely undertaken including the inspection of batteries or other backup supplies and compliance with current regulations.

Depending on the service level required, Veriserv will;

  • Inspect at agreed intervals from monthly through to annually
  • Undertake remedial repairs to ensure the system remains fully functional
  • Provide a log book and ensure it is kept fully up to date
  • Up date as fitted floor plan drawings in AutoCad format
  • Provide certification & a full inventory report
  • Provide expert advice on continued compliance without blowing your budget
  • Label light fittings & switches to aid scheduled testing and remedial works

Emergency lighting is incredibly important to keep you and your employees safe. If you have any questions or would like us to arrange an assessment of your premises, please call 01543 225306, or fill out one of our contact forms

Does Your Fire Alarm Need A Service?

UK fire alarm regulations only state that your fire alarm system must be ‘adequately maintained’, however BS 5839 recommends that a fire alarm system should be inspected by a competent person at least every 6 months and the government recommends following this standard.  In fact, if you work out of large premises, a quarterly service is recommended, as there are many more components to your fire alarm system, and therefore more opportunities for something to go wrong.

Veriserv offer a full fire alarm service programme which complies with British Standard 5839. You can be confident that we will keep your fire alarm in good working order and compliant to current legislation.

Single systems or multi-site, we can service any make or type of fire alarm system, providing you with certification for your records.

Why is fire alarm servicing important?

There are two main reasons to keep your fire alarm in working order:

  1. To alert occupants in the event of fire and so prevent loss of life
  2. To prevent false alarms

Whilst the first reason may seem obvious, the second reason is less well known.  The fact is that false alarms account for a huge number of fire brigade call-outs.  This incurs a lot of expense and, more importantly, could mean that the fire brigade is otherwise occupied when a real emergency arises.  The fire brigade has now imposed charges for call-outs at premises which have a high number of false alarms, as an incentive for businesses to keep their fire alarms better maintained.

Fire Alarm Testing

When our technician has completed the service of your fire alarm system, he will test it to check that it is working correctly and ensure that the bells/sounders reach the required decibel sound levels.

Have you already got a maintenance regime in place?

Are you not happy with this service?

Veriserv can test your systems and provide you with a report to detail any deficiencies. We are happy to take over existing systems after agreeing any system improvements that may be required to bring these systems up the required standards.

If you have any concerns about your fire alarm system, please call 01543 225306, or fill out one of our contact forms to arrange a free assessment of your premises, with one of our fully trained engineers.