Recently, Day & Knight completed a grant-funded electrical improvement project for Express Curtains in Stafford. As part of the project, the existing electrical system was fully inspected, upgraded and brought in line with BS7671 18th edition Amendment 4 standards. This work included a full fuse board upgrade, replacing outdated interior lighting with modern LEDs, as well as a full redesign of their emergency lighting system.
As commercial electricians in Stafford, Day & Knight used their industrial electrical expertise to carry out the work whilst improving electrical safety and energy efficiency. Express Curtains needed a trusted, local electrical contractor to complete these essential upgrades.
Electrical Safety Inspection in Stafford
Delving deeper into the project, a full inspection was required to firstly identify any electrical faults or issues with the existing electrical system, so that these could be rectified and made safe to use. This included a commercial EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) to assess the condition and safety of the existing electrics.
Any old electrics were modernised and upgraded as older electrical systems can become unreliable due to wear, increased electrical load and outdated components. Because of this, it’s important to keep all electrics aligned with current electrical safety standards to protect colleagues, clients and your commercial property.
These standards include BS7671 18th Edition Amendment 4, which is the current standard for electrical installations in the UK. They are often referred to as “18th Edition Wiring Regulations” and cover all aspects of commercial electrical safety checks to ensure electrical installations are safe, compliant and suitable for modern-day applications.
BS7671 covers the following areas for commercial properties:
- Fuse boards and consumer units
- Wiring systems
- Circuit protection
- Emergency lighting
- Earthing and bonding
- Inspection and testing
- Protection from electric shocks
- Fire prevention
How Often Should Businesses Arrange a Commercial EICR?
A commercial EICR is recommended as this is the official testing and inspection process used to verify whether an electrical installation meets the safety requirements outlined in BS7671 Regulations. It is vital for businesses to regularly assess their electrics as failing to do so increases the risk of electrical faults, fires and power failures.
There are recommended guidelines to support business and advise on how often a commercial EICR should be completed:
- All offices and shops – every 5 years
- Any industrial premises – every 3 years
- Public access properties (theatres, hotels, as an example) – every 1-3 years
If an EICR has not been completed within the above timelines, the risk of uncompliant electrics is greater, potentially putting people and property at risk. By adhering to these guidelines, businesses can maintain compliance and also avoid any potential insurance or legal issues.
Fuse Board Upgrade & Installation
Upon inspection, the fuse board was in need of an upgrade to meet current compliance standards, as it was outdated. As Day & Knight were modernising Express Curtains’ electrical system, the upgrade became vital, as the existing fuse board would not have been able to safely support other aspects of the project, including the new LED lighting installation. Replacing the fuse board also helps reduce the risk of electrical faults that could potentially cause costly downtime, disruption and repairs to the business.
Modernising the fuse board improves reliability and safety, as modern consumer units contain RCDs (Residual Current Devices) that automatically disconnect the power when a fault is detected. Newer fuse boards also include RCBOs (Residual Current Breakers with Overcurrent protection) to isolate faults to individual circuits and reduce disruption.
Replacing Old Fluorescent Lighting & Upgrading to LED
To modernise Express Curtains’ lighting system, Day & Knight replaced the outdated fluorescent lights with an energy-efficient LED solution. This upgrade significantly improved the lighting quality and brightness throughout their Stafford store. These improvements paved the way for a safer and more productive working environment for staff by improving visibility.
Although LEDs improve lighting quality and give more consistent illumination, they use far less energy than older fluorescent systems. Installing LED lighting allows businesses to lower their energy consumption and reduce their environmental impact. LEDs are designed to be a lot more reliable, reducing the need for repairs, downtime to fix and ongoing maintenance. Making these sustainable changes helps businesses cut down on their energy costs whilst future-proofing their commercial electrical system.
Why Should I Upgrade & Install LED Lighting?
We highly recommend modernising to commercial LED lighting as fluorescent strip lights or fluorescent tubes are gradually being phased out. This is due to UK and EU regulations that have restricted the manufacture and sale of various fluorescent lighting options for a number of reasons:
- Most forms of fluorescent lighting options contain mercury, which negatively impacts the environment if they aren’t disposed of properly
- Fluorescent tubes and fittings have a much shorter lifespan and are far more unreliable than LED, leading to increases in maintenance costs for businesses
- They also use significantly more electricity compared to modern LED lighting which drives up energy consumption and bills
- Fluorescent light has poorer quality when compared to LED lighting as they are brighter and have better colour quality
- As fluorescent lighting is being phased out, it’s becoming a lot more difficult to find parts to repair and often businesses are opting to upgrade because of this
Emergency Lighting System Design
The final part of the project involved designing an emergency lighting system that was compatible with the upgraded fuse board and new LED lighting installation. Using their industrial electrical expertise, Day & Knight ensured the new system met current safety regulations whilst seamlessly integrating with the rest of the upgrades and modernisation work. The entire project was completed in line with BS7671 18th Edition Amendment Four standards.
Emergency lighting systems are legally required for many commercial properties and should be tested regularly in accordance with current UK health and safety regulations. In the event of a fire, power outage or other emergency, emergency lighting helps illuminate escape routes, exits and stairways so people can safely exit the premises and support safe evacuation procedures.
Having an effective emergency lighting system keeps colleagues and customers safe by reducing the risk of panic, accidents and injuries. It also provides essential visibility when it is needed most, helping to protect everyone in the property. Regular maintenance and testing of an emergency lighting system helps businesses be compliant with commercial electrical safety. This also reduces the likelihood of legal or insurance issues following an incident.
How Day & Knight Can Help You
Day & Knight are trusted local electrical contractors in Stafford and are on hand to help businesses remain compliant with commercial electrical safety and regulations. Whether you need a fuse board upgrade, LED lighting installation or an emergency lighting system, their experienced team provides reliable electrical services you can trust. As NICEIC-approved electricians, they can ensure your commercial premises are safe, compliant and aligned to current BS7671 18th Edition standards.
Get in touch today to discuss your next electrical project for your home, office or industrial premises by using our Quick Quotes form below:
GET YOUR FAST & FREE QUOTE HEREAlternatively, you can contact Day & Knight on:
Phone: 01785 661199
Mobile: 07792 913566
Email: dayandknightdavid@gmail.com