Royal Observatory

Client: Royal Observatory
Completion date: December 2024
HF divisions involved: Electrical

Brief project description: HF was entrusted with the vital task of conducting comprehensive fixed wiring testing and inspection for the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, ensuring the facility’s electrical systems meet the highest standards of safety and reliability. The Royal Observatory Edinburgh is a UK government facility renowned for its cutting-edge research and development in satellite and ground observation technologies.

Since April, our electricians have been frequently to methodically carry out inspecting and testing electrical systems across the observatory’s diverse infrastructure. All electrical and testing work completed was carried out to SFG20 industry standards.

Our work has spanned the historically significant 1863 buildings and the state-of-the-art Peter Higgs Centre for Innovation, reflecting the site’s unique blend of heritage and cutting-edge technology.

The electrical testing work conducted by our electricians included a thorough examination of electrical installations to identify potential hazards. We tested for system performance and compliance with UK regulations and produced a 250-page Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). This comprehensive document ensures transparency and actionable insights into the condition of the observatory’s electrical systems.

Project Challenges: The Royal Observatory’s combination of historic structures and modern facilities presented unique challenges for our electricians. The older buildings required careful handling to preserve their integrity while ensuring their systems were brought up to current electrical standards. And the modern facilities, housing cutting-edge research equipment, demanded careful advanced planning to avoid disruption to ongoing research activities.

Our team adapted to these challenges by developing a phased approach to work during weekends to minimise disruptions to daily operations. With the culmination of this project, our efforts have not only ensured the electrical safety and compliance of the facility but also supported its critical research mission.

Electrical Testing and Inspection is designed to eliminate the risk of electrical hazards and minimise potential downtime while helping to spot any developing issues before they become big problems.

The main purpose of electrical testing is to ensure that all the electrical appliances, wiring and installations in a business are functioning to their full capacity and will continue to run trouble free. Electrical testing can help prevent office downtime, production problems and actually cut costs for a business should there be problems; all while helping to save lives.

Electrical testing is carried out both for commercial and residential properties but it is in the business sector where it is most important and more frequently called upon. Injuries caused by electrical failures are dangerous, can cause injuries to members of staff or customers and the business owner is the one liable. Regular testing and PAT testing are required by law as some of the most important requirements of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and are applied to business owners, landlords and their tenants.

To find out more about our electrical periodic inspection and testing and for a full range of electrical tests available to your commercial business or domestic home, please contact us on 0800 783 9480.