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:

1. Ensure the immediate safety of people

2. Switch off power at the main supply if safe to do so

3. Call emergency services if there's immediate danger

4. Contact your electrical contractor for urgent repairs

5. Document the incident for insurance and regulatory purposes

Your Action Plan

Immediate steps (this week):

1. Check your last EICR date – if it's over 5 years old, book a new inspection

2. Review your PAT testing records – identify overdue equipment

3. Conduct a visual inspection of your electrical installations

4. Ensure emergency contact details for electrical contractors are easily accessible

Short-term actions (this month):

1. Book any overdue electrical testing

2. Review your electrical safety procedures with your team

3. Check your insurance requirements for electrical safety compliance

4. Audit your electrical equipment inventory

Long-term planning (this year):

1. Establish a preventive maintenance schedule

2. Consider energy efficiency upgrades

3. Plan for any expansion or refurbishment electrical needs

4. 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.