PTSG is alerting property managers, building owners and facilities professionals to significant upcoming changes in BS 7671:2018 Amendment 4, the industry standards for electrical testing and inspection (IET Wiring Regulations), which will be published next week.
The new amendment reflects the industry’s evolution toward renewable energy, smart infrastructure and digital connectivity, introducing substantial technical updates that will impact electrical installations across commercial, industrial and residential properties.
Amendment 4 will be published on 15 April 2026, with a six-month transition period before the previous version is withdrawn on 15 October 2026. This gives property owners and managing agents just six months to ensure compliance with the updated standards.
The regulations apply to the design, erection and verification of electrical installations, also additions and alterations to existing installations. Existing installations that have been installed in accordance with earlier editions of the Regulations may not comply with this edition in every respect. This does not necessarily mean that they are unsafe for continued use or require upgrading.
The amendment introduces several significant updates:
- New Chapter 57: Stationary Secondary Bottles A brand-new chapter dedicated to battery storage systems addresses the surge in domestic and commercial battery installations, often paired with solar PV. It sets out requirements for safe installation and integration, focusing on the use of batteries for electrical storage and supply.
- Section 716: Power over Ethernet (PoE) A new section acknowledges the increased use of PoE to power lighting, sensors, and access control. It provides safety guidelines for distributing extra-low voltage DC power over IT cabling and addresses risks like heat build-up in cable bundles.
- Section 710: Medical Locations Significant updates to safety requirements in healthcare environments include a new mandatory schedule for recording the resistance of supplementary protective equipotential bonding conductors and stricter protocols for inspection and testing in these high-risk areas.
- Section 545: ICT Systems New requirements for functional earthing and functional equipotential bonding specifically for Information and Communication Technology equipment aim to ensure electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and system reliability in data-heavy environments.
Key Updates to Existing Regulations
Additional changes include:
- Ferromagnetic Enclosures: Clarification on conductors passing through separate holes in ferromagnetic plates, with a 200 A threshold introduced for needing specific temperature-rise verification.
- Electric Vehicle Charging: Proposed new mandatory requirements for Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) on EV charging installations to mitigate fire risk during long, high-current charging cycles. Clear instruction that AFDDs are not required for EVSE installations. Removal of Mode 1 and 2 charging definitions in part 2.
- Periodic Inspection (Chapter 65): Updates to reporting procedures, including a formal note that photographic or thermographic images can now be appended to Condition Reports. Updated observation coding and the inclusion of PNB earthing systems.
- Energy Efficiency (Chapter 81): A new framework signalling a shift toward quantifying the energy performance of low-voltage installations.
- Escape routes and fire protection (Appendix 13): Update identifies designers need to take BS9991 and BS9999 into account when creating a fire strategy.
Industry support throughout transition
Mark Mitchell, Managing Director of PTSG Electrical Services, explained: “These changes represent the most significant update to electrical safety standards in recent years. We’re committed to supporting our clients throughout this transition period, ensuring they understand the implications for their properties and helping them achieve compliance well ahead of the October deadline.”
PTSG Electrical Services, part of the Premier Technical Services Group, delivers comprehensive electrical testing, lightning protection and earthing services to thousands of commercial, industrial and residential buildings nationwide. The company’s team of qualified engineers and technical specialists are already preparing for the new requirements and are available to advise clients on how the changes will impact their compliance programmes.
Mark added: “From battery storage systems to EV charging and smart building infrastructure, these updates reflect how our buildings are changing. Property managers need to start planning now to ensure their installations meet the new standards before the transition period ends.”
