Most UK schools need a full Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every five years, ongoing PAT testing based on risk, and monthly plus annual emergency lighting tests. Older buildings or heavily used sites often benefit from shorter intervals once we understand the condition of the wiring.
Now let us explain what that really looks like from our side, the electricians who walk through school corridors with the test kit, work in plant rooms you didn’t know existed and keep everything running safely behind the scenes.
Why Electrical Testing Matters More for Schools Than Almost Anywhere Else
We work in schools day in and day out, and one thing we notice instantly is how hard educational environments are on electrical systems.
Classrooms that were once built for chalkboards now run:
30 laptops or Chromebooks
Charging trolleys
Projectors and interactive boards
Heaters in winter
Fan units in summer
Endless extension leads and multiways
Add food tech rooms, science labs, DT workshops, IT suites, kitchens and offices, the demand is huge.
Electrical testing isn’t just a compliance checkbox. For us, it’s about making sure pupils, staff and visitors are safe every day. A loose connection or an overloaded circuit isn’t a minor risk in a school, it can shut down lessons, damage equipment or create a genuine hazard.
That’s why proper testing gives schools peace of mind: you know everything behind the walls, above the ceilings and inside the distribution boards is actually doing what it should.
What an EICR Looks Like When Azure Electrical Does It
The EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is the big one, your fixed-wire test.
When our team arrives, here’s what we actually do:
1. Full visual inspection
We walk the site, identify your distribution boards, check classrooms, plant rooms and any areas where wiring is exposed. We look for:
Signs of overheating
Damaged cabling
Old or unsupported modifications
Loose accessories
Missing earths or bonding
Outdated RCD protection
Our job at this stage is to get a feel for the overall condition and each school varies a lot.
2. Instrument testing
We use specialist testers to check:
Continuity
Insulation resistance
RCD performance
Fault loop impedance
Polarity
This gives us the data we need to know whether circuits are safe under real-world load.
3. Labelling & circuit identification
Many schools have had decades of different contractors in and out.
Labelling isn’t always accurate.
So we trace, confirm, relabel and document everything properly, this alone often makes a huge difference for future safety and maintenance.
4. Coding and reporting
At the end, you get a clear, plain-English report with:
C1: Immediately dangerous (we fix these right away or make safe)
C2: Potentially dangerous, needs prompt remedial work
C3: Improvement recommended
FI: Further investigation needed
We never just hand you a report and disappear. We walk you through what’s urgent, what’s planned and where we can help you budget sensibly.
PAT Testing: The Everyday Safety Check Schools Rely On
PAT testing (or Inspection & Testing of Electrical Equipment) is essential because of the sheer volume of portable devices in a school.
We typically PAT test:
Laptops, iPads and chargers
Smart boards and projectors
Microwaves, kettles and fridges
Science lab equipment
DT machinery
Fan heaters, extension leads, multiways
Anything that plugs into the wall
Unlike fixed wiring, PAT is about spotting wear and tear:
Crushed cables from chair legs
Frayed flexes
Overheated plugs
Cracked casings
Overloaded multiways
We also advise schools on risk-based PAT, not the old “everything yearly by default” approach. High-risk items get tested more often; low-risk items less frequently. It saves time and money while still staying fully compliant.
Emergency Lighting: The Bit Everyone Forgets (But Shouldn’t)
Emergency lighting is a legal requirement, but we find many schools don’t have a reliable testing routine in place. When Azure manages it, we follow the exact requirements:
Monthly Function Test
We switch circuits briefly to make sure every emergency fitting activates.
Annual 3-Hour Duration Test
This proves your system stays lit long enough for a full evacuation.
We also record everything so that:
Fire officers
Governors
Insurers
…all have clean, accurate documentation when needed.
When Should Schools Do Their Electrical Testing?
Most schools choose to book us in:
Summer holidays
Half-term breaks
Inset days
After-hours slots for minor works
This avoids disruption and allows us unrestricted access to plant rooms, ceilings and distribution boards.
But large schools and multi-academy trusts often benefit from a phased approach:
Year 1:
Main blocks, board upgrades, high-load circuits
Year 2:
Secondary blocks, outbuildings, specialist rooms
Annually:
PAT testing and emergency lighting
This spreads costs and keeps everything in a predictable lifecycle.
What Happens After the Testing?
This is where the Azure Electrical team really shines. After testing, we help you make sense of everything with:
1. A clear remedial plan
Urgent items first, then medium-term works, then planned improvements.
2. Transparent budgeting
No surprises — you get accurate quotes and honest advice.
3. Options to combine upgrades with necessary repairs
For example:
If a lighting circuit needs work, it may be the perfect time to switch to LED.
If a distribution board is outdated, we can upgrade it to include modern RCD protection.
If you’re considering solar, battery storage or EV charging, we can future-proof circuits.
4. Full documentation for compliance
All reports, test sheets, certifications and logs stored in a way that’s easy for inspectors, governors or new staff to understand.
Why Schools Choose Azure Electrical
We know the environment.
We know the constraints.
We know the pressures schools face.
So we tailor everything:
Minimal disruption
Clear communication with the site team
A dedicated project manager for larger sites
A friendly team who understand safeguarding and DBS requirements
Fast response for urgent faults
Most importantly, we build long-term relationships. When we look after a school, we treat it like our own site — not just a job on the calendar.
Need Help With Your School’s Electrical Compliance?
If you're unsure when your last EICR was done, or you suspect PAT testing or emergency lighting has fallen behind, just get in touch.
Send us whatever documents you can find — even if it’s just one old certificate — and we’ll map out exactly what your school needs for full compliance over the next five years.
No stress.
No jargon.
Just clear, reliable electrical safety from a team that works in schools every week.