A weekly walkaround is about spotting obvious electrical risks early so they do not turn into callouts. The HSE’s guidance is that electrical equipment must be maintained to prevent danger and the type and frequency of checks depends on the equipment, the environment and what you have found before.
A simple 15 minute walkaround usually covers:
extension leads and multiways in classrooms offices and staff rooms
visible damage on plugs leads chargers and portable kit
warm or discoloured sockets and switches
distribution board areas kept clear and dry
signs of damp or leaks near electrics
anything improvised that has become permanent
There are practical routine you can run every week. If your site also needs the wider testing plan to stay joined up you can keep everything connected via Electrical Statutory Compliance.
Why a walkaround reduces faults and paperwork stress
On school sites across London most issues give warnings first. A plug gets warm. A charger lead splits at the strain point. A multiway starts feeding another multiway because the classroom setup changed.
The reason walkarounds work is simple: the HSE guidance on portable equipment explains that visual inspection is the most important precaution and that a very high proportion of faults can be found just by looking.
This is not about being picky. It is about catching the easy fixes before they become disruptive.
Ground rule for caretakers and site managers
A walkaround is a visual and basic functional check. It should not involve opening panels or carrying out electrical testing unless you are competent and authorised to do so.
If any testing is planned it needs to be managed safely. HSE guidance on electrical testing focuses on controlling risk and preventing danger during testing activities.
So the weekly routine below stays firmly in the safe zone.
The 15 minute walkaround route
Pick the same route each week. That way you spot changes fast.
A practical route is:
main entrance and reception corridor
one stair core
staff room and a small office area
one classroom wing
ICT or charging area if you have one
a plant cupboard corridor or riser door area if accessible
Keep it consistent and the log stays simple.
What to look for on the walkaround
1) Extension leads and multiways
This is the quickest win on most sites.
Electrical Safety First advises not to overload extension leads and warns that exceeding the current rating can cause overheating and potentially fire.
Look for
multiways plugged into multiways
one socket feeding a whole charging corner
extension leads trapped under desks or rugs
leads running across walkways without protection
What to do
remove daisy chains
relocate loads if possible
flag areas that genuinely need more fixed sockets
2) Portable equipment damage
Chargers and small appliances fail in predictable places.
HSE guidance on maintaining portable equipment points to a simple system of user checks and formal visual inspection as the foundation of preventing danger.
Look for
split insulation near the plug or the transformer brick
taped repairs
crushed extension blocks under furniture
loose plug tops or bent pins
What to do
take damaged items out of use
log them and store them somewhere they will not drift back into circulation
3) Sockets switches and signs of heat
High traffic areas wear out faster.
Look for
loose faceplates
discolouration around sockets
cracking sounds or flicker when operated
sockets that feel warm
What to do
treat any heat marking as a priority repair item
record the location clearly so it is not forgotten
4) Distribution board areas and electrical cupboards
This is not a technical check. It is about access and condition.
Look for
board cupboards being used as storage
blocked access
signs of damp or leak staining
damaged doors or missing labels
What to do
clear the area
flag any water risk immediately
5) Damp and water where it should not be
A lot of repeat trips come back to moisture.
Look for
staining on ceiling tiles near electrics
damp smell near risers or plant rooms
water ingress around external doors where cables run
What to do
report building leaks quickly
log the risk location and keep the area under review
6) Lighting that hints at a developing issue
A flickering light is often the first warning not the last.
Look for
repeated flicker in the same corridor
lights that take a long time to start
odd buzzing from fittings
What to do
log the location and frequency
if it is recurring plan it into a remedial visit rather than waiting for failure
What to record so the walkaround is worth doing
The record should be fast to write and easy to understand during an audit or a handover.
A good entry includes:
date and time
route covered
issue found and exact location
immediate action taken
next action needed
HSE guidance supports the idea that the frequency and type of checks should reflect the environment and what previous checks have found. This is why the log matters because it shows the site is learning from what it sees.
What to do when a problem is found
A simple decision pattern helps:
Unsafe or potentially unsafe: remove from use or restrict access then log and raise it
Not urgent but recurring: log it and plan it into a grouped visit
One off minor issue: log it and fix it when access is available
If a site is seeing recurring faults that need tidying properly it often helps to fold them into planned work rather than repeat small callouts. That is where Electrical Remedial Work naturally fits without turning the process into a sales pitch.
How this fits into your school’s wider compliance plan
A weekly walkaround does not replace EICRs PAT or emergency lighting testing. It makes those activities easier because it reduces surprises and improves records.
If you are managing multiple sites or you want everything structured in one place the education support page is the best hub for how this is typically handled on school estates: Electrical Services for Schools and Education.
More support for education sites
If your site team would like help setting up a simple walkaround log and a joined up plan for EICR PAT and emergency lighting you can find more detail on Electrical Services for Schools and Education and request a quote via Contact Us.