How to Protect Your Restaurant From Electrical Safety Disasters
Over 1,300 fires hit food and drink premises last year. Is your business protected?
Running a successful hospitality business means juggling countless responsibilities. From creating incredible experiences for your guests to managing your team, electrical safety might not be at the top of your daily priorities. But it should be.
Electrical safety protects your customers, staff, and business while ensuring compliance.
Why Electrical Safety Matters in Hospitality
The hospitality industry has specific electrical challenges. Commercial kitchens, busy dining areas, outdoor spaces, and high customer traffic increase electrical risks.
According to the latest UK Government data, Food and Drink Premises experienced 1,362 fires in 2022/23, making them one of the most fire-prone commercial sectors alongside Industrial Premises (1,774 fires) and Retail Premises (1,325 fires). (Source UK Government Fire Statistics).
Beyond fire risks, electrical safety protects you from:
Costly business interruptions
Insurance claims being invalidated
Hefty fines and legal action
Serious injury to staff and customers
Damage to your reputation
Your Legal Responsibilities
As a business owner, you're legally responsible for electrical safety under several regulations:
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 place a duty of care on employers and self-employed individuals to ensure electrical equipment is safe, properly maintained, and fit for purpose. This applies to everything from your commercial kitchen equipment to the lighting in your dining areas. (HSE Guidance).
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires you to provide a safe working environment for your team and customers. This includes ensuring electrical installations and equipment don't pose risks.
BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) sets the national UK electrical installation standards (Buildings Regs Guidance). The latest updates in 2025 introduce enhanced safety requirements that affect all commercial premises.
2025 Electrical Safety Updates - What's Changed
This year brings important changes to electrical safety regulations, aiming to enhance safety standards across various sectors.
Updates affecting hospitality businesses include:
Enhanced earthing requirements with stricter guidelines to prevent electrical shocks
Updated wiring standards introducing new materials for improved durability and safety
Advanced consumer units with better circuit protection features
Mandatory surge protection devices for all new installations to protect against voltage spikes
Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) to prevent electrical hazards
These changes are relevant if you're refurbishing, expanding, or installing new equipment in your premises.
Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) for Hospitality
An EICR is your electrical system's health check – essential for keeping your business safe and legally compliant.
How Often You Need an EICR
The frequency depends on your type of business and premises:
Restaurants, pubs, and cafés: Every 3 years for commercial buildings, such as restaurants, pubs, cafés
Hotels: Every 5 years for general areas, but consider more frequent testing for high-use areas
Commercial kitchens: Where properties are subject to heavy use, exposure to moisture or chemicals, or have complex electrical systems, testing may need to occur more frequently, every 3 years
Outdoor dining areas: Check that your electrical installation has been inspected less than 5 years ago, or more recently, if there has been a change of occupancy
Special Considerations for Hospitality
Your business environment creates additional factors that may require more frequent testing:
High moisture areas (kitchens, bar areas, cleaning stations)
Heavy electrical load from commercial kitchen equipment
Frequent equipment changes and additions
Age of your building and existing electrical systems
Outdoor electrical installations for beer gardens, patios, or marquees
Understanding Your EICR Results
Your EICR will classify any issues found using a coding system:
C1 (Danger present): Immediate action required – stop using the affected circuit immediately
C2 (Potentially dangerous): Urgent remedial work needed within a reasonable timeframe
C3 (Improvement recommended): Not immediately dangerous, but advisable to upgrade
For hospitality businesses, even C3 observations should be taken seriously, as they could become safety issues under the demands of commercial use.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
PAT testing ensures all your electrical equipment – from coffee machines to sound systems – is safe to use. For UK businesses, PAT testing is a clear legal requirement under health and safety regulations.
PAT Testing Frequency for Hospitality Businesses
The frequency of PAT testing varies based on the type of workplace:
For pubs, restaurants, and hotels:
Handheld equipment (bar blenders, hand mixers, portable heaters): Every 12 months
Moveable equipment (coffee machines, microwaves, fridges): Every 12-24 months
Stationary equipment (built-in ovens, fixed lighting): Every 2-4 years
Office equipment: Desktop computers, laptops, printers, monitors: Every 2-4 years (unless in high-risk environments)
Commercial kitchens require more frequent testing:
Industrial sites, including commercial kitchens, should have their portable and handheld equipment tested as often as every 6 months
Equipment exposed to heat, moisture, and grease degrades faster
High-use items need more frequent checks
What Needs PAT Testing in Your Business
Essentially, any electrical equipment that plugs into a socket needs testing:
Kitchen equipment: Commercial ovens, fryers, mixers, food processors, refrigeration units, dishwashers
Front of house: Coffee machines, till systems, sound equipment, televisions, phones
General: Vacuum cleaners, extension leads, portable heaters, lamps, computers
Fire Safety: Preventing Electrical Fires
Electrical faults are a leading cause of commercial fires, making regular testing essential.
Common electrical fire risks in hospitality include:
Overloaded circuits from multiple high-power kitchen appliances
Damaged cables from heat, grease, and constant movement
Poor maintenance of extraction systems and lighting
Temporary installations for events or outdoor areas
Creating Your Electrical Safety Plan
1, Conduct a Risk Assessment
Your risk assessment should consider:
Equipment inventory: List all electrical equipment and its usage frequency
Environmental factors: Moisture, heat, grease exposure in different areas
Staff training: Ensure your team knows how to use equipment safely
Emergency procedures: Clear protocols for electrical incidents
2. Establish Testing Schedules
Create a maintenance calendar that includes:
EICR testing every 5 years (or as recommended by your electrician)
PAT testing annually for most equipment, every 6 months for kitchen items
Visual inspections monthly by trained staff
Emergency lighting tests as required by fire safety regulations
3. Keep Detailed Records
Correct record-keeping is a part of regulatory compliance. Businesses must maintain a PAT register of all appliances checked and labels affixed to appliances indicating pass/fail status and retest due dates.
Your records should include:
Test certificates and results
Remedial work completed
Next test due dates
Equipment purchase and disposal dates
Staff training records
4. Train Your Team
Ensure all staff can:
Carry out basic visual safety checks
Report electrical defects immediately
Use equipment safely and correctly
Follow emergency shutdown procedures
Understand the importance of not using damaged equipment
The High Cost of Non-Compliance
For hospitality businesses, the consequences of electrical safety failures can be devastating:
Financial impact:
Fines up to £30,000 for safety breaches
Invalidated insurance claims
Forced closure during busy trading periods
Compensation claims from injured customers or staff
Operational impact:
Enforcement actions, including prohibition or improvement notices, can lead to significant business disruption. This can result in lost revenue, especially if operations are halted until the issue is resolved
Loss of customer confidence
Damage to online reviews and reputation
Legal consequences:
Criminal prosecution for serious breaches
Personal liability for directors and managers
Licensing issues that could affect your ability to trade
Special Considerations for Different Hospitality Venues
Restaurants and Cafés
Focus areas:
Commercial kitchen electrical safety
Customer dining area lighting and sockets
Outdoor dining electrical installations
Coffee machine and till system maintenance
Pubs and Bars
Key focus areas:
Beer cellar cooling and pump systems
Entertainment equipment (sound systems, TVs, gaming machines)
Outdoor beer garden installations
Kitchen equipment if serving food
Hotels
Key focus areas:
Guest room electrical safety
Leisure facilities (pools, gyms, spas)
Commercial laundry equipment
Emergency lighting systems throughout
Event Venues
Key focus areas:
Temporary electrical installations
High-power lighting and sound systems
Outdoor event electrical safety
Portable distribution boards
Outdoor Electrical Safety
Many hospitality businesses now use outdoor spaces more than ever. Businesses such as pubs, restaurants, cafés and hotels using outdoor space must ensure that indoor and outdoor appliances are safe.
Outdoor electrical safety requirements:
Weatherproof equipment and connections
Appropriate IP ratings for outdoor use
RCD protection for all outdoor circuits
Regular inspection of cables and connections
Professional installation of permanent outdoor electrics
Choosing the Right Electrical Contractor
Your electrical safety depends on working with qualified professionals who understand the hospitality industry.
Look for contractors with:
NICEIC, ELECSA or NAPIT registration. (Find NICEIC contractors).
Experience with commercial and hospitality premises
Understanding of your specific industry requirements
24/7 emergency response capabilities
Comprehensive insurance and certifications
Energy Efficiency - A Growing Priority
Modern electrical systems can help reduce your energy costs while improving safety:
Smart monitoring systems to track usage and identify faults early
LED lighting upgrades for better efficiency and safety
Variable speed drives on kitchen extraction systems
Timer controls for non-essential equipment
These improvements often qualify for business energy efficiency grants and can significantly reduce operating costs.
Emergency Procedures
Know when to call for immediate help:
Immediate dangers requiring emergency response:
Electrical fires or burning smells
Sparks from equipment
Electric shocks to staff or customers
Power failures affecting safety systems
Visible damage to mains electrical installations
Emergency protocol:
Ensure the immediate safety of people
Switch off power at the main supply if safe to do so
Call emergency services if there's immediate danger
Contact your electrical contractor for urgent repairs
Document the incident for insurance and regulatory purposes
Your Action Plan
Immediate steps (this week):
Check your last EICR date – if it's over 5 years old, book a new inspection
Review your PAT testing records – identify overdue equipment
Conduct a visual inspection of your electrical installations
Ensure emergency contact details for electrical contractors are easily accessible
Short-term actions (this month):
Book any overdue electrical testing
Review your electrical safety procedures with your team
Check your insurance requirements for electrical safety compliance
Audit your electrical equipment inventory
Long-term planning (this year):
Establish a preventive maintenance schedule
Consider energy efficiency upgrades
Plan for any expansion or refurbishment electrical needs
Review and update your electrical safety training programme
Staying Compliant
Electrical safety requirements change regularly. Stay ahead by:
Keeping up with regulation changes
Investing in modern, efficient electrical systems
Maintaining regular testing schedules
Building relationships with experienced electrical contractors
Considering smart technology for better monitoring and control
Electrical safety is fundamental to running a successful hospitality business. Regular maintenance and testing protect your customers, staff, and business, giving you peace of mind to focus on creating excellent experiences for your guests.
Need expert electrical support for your hospitality business?
Don't wait - if your EICR is overdue, book your inspection today.
Medlec Group understands the electrical requirements facing restaurants, pubs, hotels, and commercial premises. Our NICEIC Approved electricians provide electrical safety services, including EICR testing, PAT testing, commercial kitchen electrical work, and emergency repairs.
We serve businesses across London and the Home Counties with rapid response times and industry expertise. Get in touch on 0333 344 5949 for reliable electrical solutions that keep your business running safely and efficiently.
