Michael Kiddle
Managing Director of Hawkesworth and a nationally recognised leader in electrical and fire safety, Michael (GIFireE) directs one of the UK's leading compliance companies, safeguarding thousands of businesses each year. Through his voluntary Safe Home Initiative, he has identified and removed thousands of dangerous household appliances from vulnerable people's homes, replacing each one with a safe alternative free of charge.
Empty offices give engineers the access they need to complete electrical testing properly. When your workspace is quiet, PAT testing and EICR inspections can be done faster, with less disruption, and without affecting your team’s productivity.
Most facilities managers know that electrical maintenance is a legal requirement. But scheduling it during quiet periods makes the work easier for everyone involved.
Why Timing Matters for Commercial Electrical Testing
Under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and BS 7671, you’re legally responsible for keeping electrical installations and equipment safe in your workplace. This means regular testing of both fixed wiring and portable appliances.
The problem is that electrical testing takes time and requires access to the entire building. EICR inspections involve isolating circuits, which causes temporary power cuts. PAT testing means accessing every piece of electrical equipment across your premises.
When the office is busy, this creates real disruption. Staff get interrupted, meetings are affected, and work slows down. When the building is empty or quieter, engineers can move through quickly without getting in anyone’s way.
When Should You Schedule Electrical Maintenance?
The best time depends on your business, but there are a few periods that work well for most commercial premises.
Bank holidays and extended weekends: When staff are off, engineers have full access. No one’s using equipment, meetings aren’t being interrupted, and circuits can be isolated without affecting operations.
Early mornings or evenings: Out-of-hours testing lets engineers work before or after your normal business hours. A team arriving at 7am can often finish PAT testing before your staff arrive at 9am.
Between tenant changeovers: If you manage commercial property, the window between one tenant leaving and another moving in is ideal for electrical testing. You’ll meet compliance requirements and give new occupants a certified workspace from day one.
Seasonal quiet periods: Every business has slower times. UK offices typically see reduced attendance during mid-December through to early January, as staff take annual leave and operations wind down. Retail premises often see quieter trading after busy seasons. Use these periods to schedule testing without disrupting peak activity.
What Electrical Testing Works Best During Quieter Office Periods?
Not all electrical work needs scheduling around quiet times, but some jobs definitely benefit from it.
PAT testing
PAT testing checks portable electrical equipment like computers, monitors, printers, kettles, and desk lamps. In a typical office, this can mean testing hundreds of items.
Engineers need to access every desk, meeting room, kitchen, and storage area. When people are working, this takes longer and creates interruptions. When the office is empty, testing moves much faster.
Most offices need annual PAT testing. If your team works flexibly or remotely, schedule it during periods when fewer people are in the building.
EICR (Fixed Wire Testing)
An EICR inspection checks the fixed electrical installation in your building. This includes wiring, distribution boards, sockets, and light fittings.
Engineers test circuits by isolating them, which means temporary power cuts to parts of the building. If you rely on computers or servers, this can cause serious problems during working hours.
Commercial properties typically need EICR testing every five years. Scheduling it when the office is empty means engineers can isolate circuits without affecting your operations.
Does Electrical Testing Always Have to Stop Operations?
Not necessarily. Quiet periods make testing easier, but they’re not always possible for every business.
Hawkesworth engineers are experienced in working around live environments. Where a full shutdown isn’t practical, our team works methodically through your building, isolating circuits in stages and minimising disruption as much as possible.
The goal is always to keep your operations running while meeting your compliance obligations.
Planning Your Electrical Testing Schedule
The key to making this work is planning ahead.
Check when your next EICR is due and factor in annual PAT testing alongside it. Choose dates that align with bank holidays or periods when staff numbers are lower.
If you manage multiple sites, stagger your schedule so engineers can move between locations efficiently. This reduces costs and keeps every property compliant.
As a Hawkesworth customer, your compliance schedule is managed for you. We track your testing history and flag when your next inspection is due, so nothing slips through.
Getting Electrical Testing Done Without Disruption
Electrical testing is a legal requirement that protects your staff and your property. But it doesn’t have to interfere with your daily operations.
Whether your building is empty or running at full capacity, Hawkesworth engineers work around your business. Out-of-hours testing is available at no extra charge across offices, retail premises and manufacturing facilities.
Get in touch to discuss your testing schedule.
