A persistent power supply is of utmost importance when running a business. Computers, printers, construction machinery as well as lighting and HVAC systems are entirely dependent on electricity to operate. For this reason, business owners invest in top-notch electrical services. But they often ignore the most important part: an electrical safety inspection.
Electrical components degrade over time. The wires become frayed due to normal wear and tear, the insulation gets damaged, connections loosen, and circuit breakers start tripping because of electrical overload. All these problems if not fixed on time can put your company and employees in jeopardy of electrical hazards. Hence, an electrical inspection at least once a year is recommended due to multiple reasons which we will discuss in this post.
WHAT IS AN ELECTRICAL SAFETY INSPECTION?
An electrical safety inspection is a process of investigating the electrical system of a facility whether commercial or residential, including outlets, wiring, the main electrical panel and related components. It is aimed to ensure that your property’s electrical system is operating to its full capacity and that there is no damage to the electrical components which may cause an injury or accident. This step is also imperative to verify that your company is compliant with current standards.
Oftentimes, minor negligence leads to incidents like electric shocks, burns, electrical explosions or arcing and even fire. This is not only detrimental to the health of your employees and customers but also to your company’s reputation. A safety inspection helps in the early detection of potential risks and should always be carried out by an experienced and certified electrician. If you are looking for an annual electrical inspection of your building, contact Spark Wise Electric. Our expert and licensed electricians carry out routine inspections as well as provide high-quality repair and new installation services.
WHY IS A REGULAR ELECTRICAL SAFETY INSPECTION IMPORTANT FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
Here are the reasons why a regular safety inspection is important for your business:
Safeguards your employees and customers
The first and foremost goal of an electrical inspection is to protect your employees and customers from harm. You might be certain that everything is up to the mark but there can be unseen damaged insulation, loose connections, ground faults, exposed electrical parts or faulty equipment that can put your employees or customers at risk of electrical hazards.
The worst-case scenario is an electrical fire. The wiring behind the outlets or sockets wears over time. The loosened wires can eventually break and cause a spark which smolders behind the wall and often remains undetected until it’s too late. According to OSHA, over 200 workplace fires break out per day with over 5,000 people getting injured by workplace fires each year. Moreover, 22% of workplace fires are caused by electrical fires. (“Workplace Stats”, n.d.)
Not just the flames, but even smoke inhalation can be lethal. Hence, considering an electrical safety inspection can save your facility, business as well as your workers and customers from big damage.
You can save money over time
As you know, repair and replacement demand considerable time and money. The bigger the damage, the more resources it requires for getting fixed. For instance, during an inspection, the electrician found that an outlet is not working well. The underlying cause is found to be a few loosened wires. He will fix the issue immediately. However, if this problem is left undetected, the damaged wires can spark and result in a fire. Moreover, an inefficient electrical system can lead to the failure of electronics and other connected devices. The lights may also flicker and burn out. Ultimately, you will end up spending a lot more time, money and effort on bringing things back to normal.
Hence, a regular electrical safety inspection ensures that all the electrical components are working smoothly and in case, a problem arises, it gets noticed and fixed on time. This helps you save money to invest in other more productive areas of your business.
Maintains code compliance
To safeguard the integrity of your business and to make certain that the workplace is safe enough for the employees, there are several electrical safety codes and standards developed and enforced by governmental agencies as well as local bodies. These include the OSHA regulations and NFPA standards for Electrical Safety. Code noncompliance can put your company at risk of penalties. Furthermore, if any employees or customers get affected by an electrical hazard such as an electric shock or fire, they may file a case to hold you responsible for their medical expenses. To avoid these mishaps and keep things going securely and positively, it is recommended to carry out an electrical safety inspection annually.
Keeps your investment safe
Lots of money and effort are invested in building and running a company. Your every step counts in terms of profit and loss. However, a sudden devastating fire can ruin all your efforts. Many times, business owners suffer from huge losses just because of an electrical fire which not only damages their property but also kills or acutely injures people working with them. Even if the loss is just limited to the facility and no injuries or deaths have occurred, re-building and fixing the loss may take weeks to sometimes, months. During this time, the workers might get employed in some other firm and the customers may also move somewhere else. This can further add to the financial crisis of the company. A timely safety inspection helps in risk assessment and assures that all possible measures have been taken to keep the workplace safe which in turn, keeps your investment safe.
Maximizes efficiency for your workplace
A regular electrical inspection is a perfect way to keep your electrical system running at optimal performance. Inefficient light bulbs, insufficient insulation, and worn-out electrical appliances, all contribute to energy loss and subsequent rise in electricity bills. In addition, damaged or frayed wires cause inconsistent electricity flow and frequent power spikes which can harm anything connected to them. Since, workplaces are largely dependent on computers, lighting systems, machinery, devices and appliances like HVAC systems, humidifiers, etc. damaged wiring can lead to the malfunctioning of such equipment. By considering an electrical inspection, you can not only alleviate these risks but also increase the overall lifespan of your appliances and devices. This, in turn, will maximize efficiency for your workplace.
Our Electrical Services & Service Areas
At Spark Wise Electric, we proudly provide a wide range of professional electrical services for both homes and businesses. Whether you need a quick repair or a complete installation, our licensed electricians are here to help.
Our Services Include:
- EV Charger Installation (Level 1, Level 2, Tesla Wall Connector)
- Electrical Panel Upgrades & Repairs
- Recessed Lighting Installation
- Circuit Breaker Repair & Replacement
- Dedicated Circuit Installation
- Whole-Home Surge Protection
- Electrical Troubleshooting & Safety Inspections
- Commercial Electrical Services
- Emergency Electrical Repairs
Service Areas:
We serve customers across Northern Virginia, including:
Gainesville, Alexandria, Burke, McLean, Tysons, Ashburn, Bristow, Fairfax, Dumfries, Manassas, Annandale, Arlington, Great Falls, Springfield, Falls Church, Vienna, Haymarket, Nokesville, Woodbridge, Centreville, Chantilly, Dale City, Montclair, Triangle, Stafford, Linton Hall, Sudley, Merrifield, Lincolnia, Herndon, Reston, Dulles, Sterling, and Leesburg.
Need electrical help in your area? Call us today at (703) 915-5351 or Book here to schedule a free estimate.
Conclusion
In today’s modern era, where electricity has become a basic need and where electrical hazards have become a common problem, a regular electrical safety inspection is worth considering for all kinds of facilities whether residential or commercial. The reasons that make this step so important for businesses are that it safeguards your employees and customers from electrical hazards, helps in saving money over time, maintains code compliance, keeps your investment safe and maximizes efficiency for your workplace. If you are looking for an expert electrician for an electrical safety inspection, get in touch with Spark Wise Electric today and we will provide you with the best quality services.
