Unit 6 Cobham Business Centre, Cobham Road, Ferndown Industrial Estate, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 7BX
Mon–Fri 08:00 AM – 05:00 PM
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Maintaining electrical safety within a commercial environment is a mandatory requirement for business owners across Dorset. Compliance with BS 7671 standards ensures the safety of employees and the protection of physical assets. Our team frequently observes specific errors in commercial installations in Bournemouth, Poole, and Ferndown. These mistakes often lead to equipment failure or regulatory non-compliance.
Many commercial premises in Ringwood and Poole operate with obsolete consumer units. These older boards often lack modern Residual Current Device (RCD) or Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent (RCBO) protection. Current regulations require most commercial circuits to be protected by 30mA RCDs to prevent electric shock. Our team is currently replacing plastic-clad units with metal-enclosed, fire-rated distribution boards to meet Amendment 2 of the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations.
Upgrading to a modern unit allows for the integration of Surge Protection Devices (SPDs). These devices protect sensitive electronic equipment, such as EPOS systems and server racks, from transient overvoltages. Failure to upgrade these units increases the risk of fire and reduces the reliability of the electrical network. We are seeing a high volume of upgrades in hospitality venues where kitchen equipment frequently trips older, less sensitive breakers.
A common oversight is the failure to maintain a current Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). For most commercial businesses, a formal inspection is required every five years. In high-risk environments like industrial units in Ferndown, this interval may be shorter. An EICR identifies hidden faults, such as degraded cable insulation or loose terminations that cannot be seen during a visual check.
Businesses without a valid EICR may find their insurance policies void in the event of an electrical fire. Our team conducts these inspections by testing every circuit for earth continuity, insulation resistance, and polarity. We provide a detailed schedule of results and a list of observations. These are categorized from C1 (danger present) to C3 (improvement recommended). Maintaining these records is a legal requirement under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
Commercial properties, particularly those in the rental or hospitality sectors in Bournemouth, often suffer from poor air quality. Damp and mould growth are common results of inadequate ventilation. Many businesses rely on standard extract fans which are often insufficient for the volume of the space. We are installing Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) systems to address these issues.
These systems work by introducing filtered, fresh air into the building at a continuous rate. This creates a slight positive pressure that forces out stale, moisture-laden air. Positive input ventilation is a cost-effective method for protecting building fabric and ensuring a healthy environment for staff. We have completed several installations in offices where condensation on windows was a persistent problem. Photos of recent loft installations are available in our gallery.
The use of "daisy-chained" extension leads is a frequent observation in office environments across Dorset. This practice leads to overloaded circuits and increased heat at socket outlets. Commercial circuits are designed with specific load characteristics. Exceeding these limits causes Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) to trip or, in worse cases, leads to cable insulation melting.
Our team is currently adding dedicated radial circuits for high-load appliances in commercial kitchens and server rooms. This involves installing additional socket outlets to eliminate the need for temporary extensions. Correct circuit planning ensures that the load is distributed evenly across the phases of the supply. We are seeing an increase in requests for these upgrades in older buildings in Ringwood that were not designed for modern IT loads.
Emergency lighting is a critical safety component for any business accessible to the public or employees. A common mistake is failing to test these systems monthly or ignoring failed batteries in bulk-head fittings. BS 5266-1 dictates the requirements for the design, installation, and wiring of emergency lighting systems.
We are replacing older fluorescent emergency fittings with modern LED units. LED fittings offer longer lifespans and lower maintenance costs. Our team performs annual three-hour discharge tests to ensure the batteries can sustain the required light levels during a total power failure. These installations are documented in logbooks to ensure compliance during fire safety inspections.
Disorganised cabling in retail and industrial spaces in Poole and Ferndown presents both electrical and physical risks. Unprotected cables are susceptible to mechanical damage, which can lead to exposed live conductors. Our team utilizes PVC or steel trunking and conduit to secure cable runs. This protects the integrity of the wiring and removes trip hazards from the floor.
In server rooms and data centres, we implement tray work and ladder racking. This improves airflow around the cables, reducing the risk of overheating. Proper labeling of each cable run is also performed to assist in future maintenance and fault finding. This methodical approach is a standard part of our commercial electrical services.
Using unqualified staff or general handymen for electrical repairs is a significant risk. Electrical work in a commercial setting must be performed by electricians in dorset who are City & Guilds qualified and registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC. Unqualified work often lacks the necessary certification and testing required for safety compliance.
Every minor work or installation must be accompanied by an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC). Our team provides this documentation for every project, confirming that the work meets BS 7671 standards. We have over 20 years of experience in providing these services to businesses in Bournemouth and the surrounding areas.
Our team continues to work across Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire. We are currently performing several consumer unit upgrades in Ferndown. Technical documentation and further project details are available upon request.
