School testing is rarely complicated because of the electrics. It’s complicated because schools are busy, safeguarding matters, rooms are locked, timetables change and the building still needs to function while work is happening.
Across London and surrounding areas, Azure engineers see the same question come up from caretakers, site managers, trusts and local authority teams:
“When is the least disruptive time to do EICRs, PAT testing and emergency lighting tests?”
This guide lays out a practical way to schedule compliance work so it gets done properly, with minimal impact on staff, pupils and after-school use.
If you’re working through the compliance basics, these two guides often sit at the start of the plan:
Once those are in motion, scheduling is usually the next hurdle.
What the best guidance says about timing
A lot of the official guidance focuses on what to test and how often. The practical scheduling detail tends to be thinner, so it helps to anchor planning to a few reliable points:
The HSE notes that electrical equipment must be maintained to prevent danger, and the type and frequency of checks depends on the equipment, the environment and previous results.
For emergency lighting, the IHEEM pocket guide states tests should be conducted outside regular working hours, and annual full-duration tests can be phased through the year, with results recorded and failures rectified.
The Fire Protection Association describes the annual emergency lighting test as a three-hour duration test.
For testing work generally, the HSE’s INDG354 is aimed at people who manage or carry out electrical testing and focuses on controlling risks during testing activities.
Good scheduling is about risk control + access + continuity, not picking a date at random.
A simple way to decide “term time or holidays?”
Term time works best when:
testing can be zoned (one corridor, one block, one floor at a time)
access can be pre-arranged and rooms can be unlocked on schedule
the work is mostly visual checks and short tests
there’s a quiet window early morning, after school or on inset days
Holidays work best when:
there will be planned isolations (distribution boards, larger areas)
the site needs an annual emergency lighting duration test (commonly three hours)
there’s remedial work to complete after an EICR (especially if it affects classrooms)
you want to batch multiple tasks into one visit (EICR follow-ups + emergency lighting repairs + upgrades)
A good rule on schools: anything that needs long isolations or extended testing is usually calmer in a holiday window.
What each test needs in real life (and how to schedule it)
1) EICR testing (fixed installation)
EICRs often involve access to distribution boards, plant rooms and locked cupboards, and sometimes planned isolations.
Best windows:
half term for a focused block
summer holidays for larger buildings
inset days for smaller, well-contained areas
Scheduling tip that saves time:
Agree the “no-go” areas up front (exams, safeguarding spaces, areas with ongoing building works) and keep a keyholder available. When access breaks down, EICRs drag out.
(For service context, schools often keep this under Electrical Statutory Compliance so EICRs, certificates and remedials stay joined up.)
2) PAT testing (portable equipment)
PAT can be very term-time friendly because most of it is visual inspection and portable checks.
Best windows:
during term time in phases (block-by-block)
early morning/after school for high-use rooms
inset day for IT-heavy areas
Scheduling tip:
Group “shared kit” (heaters, extension leads, AV trolleys) in one place so the testing isn’t a treasure hunt across 40 classrooms. It keeps disruption down and makes your records cleaner.
(HSE’s approach is clear: maintenance should be sensible and proportionate, based on the environment and equipment.)
3) Emergency lighting testing (monthly + annual)
Monthly tests are short and can often be done with minimal impact if the route is agreed and the logbook is consistent.
The annual full duration test is the one that needs careful timing. The IHEEM guide notes tests should be outside regular working hours, and full duration tests can be phased throughout the year.
The FPA describes the annual requirement as a three-hour test.
Best windows:
evenings (when the building is empty)
holiday periods (most straightforward)
phased evenings across a week for larger sites
Scheduling tip:
Plan annual duration tests when you can safely let the emergency system run without staff assuming it’s a fault. Clear comms avoids confusion and unnecessary callouts.
How to batch work so it doesn’t feel like “someone’s always on site”
This is where schools can save the most disruption.
A simple batching approach looks like:
Week 1: testing (EICR where due + PAT zones)
Week 2: emergency lighting annual test (if due) + close out failures
Week 3: remedials from EICR/PAT/emergency findings (batched)
Week 4: documentation tidy-up (certs filed, logs updated)
It’s not about doing more work. It’s about keeping the school calm by reducing repeat interruptions.
If remedials are needed, they’re usually easiest to keep aligned with Electrical Remedial Work so faults are fixed properly and then signed off, rather than reappearing at the next visit.
A caretaker-friendly checklist for scheduling a test visit
Before booking dates, it helps to have:
A list of distribution board locations and any “hidden” cupboards
Keyholder availability (or a plan for access)
“Quiet windows” (early morning/after school/inset days)
Known problem areas (recurring trips, flickering corridors, hot sockets)
A plan for spaces that can’t be disrupted (exams, SEN rooms, safeguarding areas)
Lettings timetable (evening users are often forgotten)
If you’re managing multiple schools, using the same checklist across sites saves time.
Keeping safety front and centre during testing
Good planning is also about safe working. The HSE’s INDG354 leaflet exists for a reason: electrical testing needs controlled risks and clear procedures.
For schools, that usually means:
isolations agreed in advance
clear communication to staff on what’s affected
routes kept tidy and supervised in public areas
testing arranged when pupils are not moving through the work area
Need a hand planning school testing dates?
For school sites, trusts and local authorities looking to plan testing with minimal disruption, more information is available on Electrical Services for Schools and Education.
If you already know what’s due (EICR, PAT, emergency lighting annual test or remedials), the fastest way to get the right visit booked is to get in touch here and share the site notes you have.