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Block Management

Communal Area Electrical London — Stairwells, Emergency Lighting, AOV

Common-parts EICR, BS 5266 emergency lighting, AOV smoke-shaft testing and Building Safety Act documentation for managing agents across London. NICEIC contracted PPM available.

Block managing agents carry electrical compliance only for the common parts — landings, stairwells, riser cupboards, plant rooms, lift power feeds, communal heating control, intercom and emergency lighting — never inside the demise. That common-parts scope still requires a five-yearly EICR distinct from the individual flat EICRs each leaseholder commissions, plus monthly and annual emergency lighting tests under BS 5266 and AOV smoke-shaft testing where the fire risk assessment calls for it.

Electrician London (NICEIC Reg 619783000) services block management portfolios across every London borough. For high-risk buildings under the Building Safety Act 2022 (over 18m or 7 storeys) we produce documentation that feeds directly into the Building Safety Case Report — fire-stopping at electrical penetrations, riser inspection records, and Golden Thread compatible PDF outputs. MEES Phase 2 applies to non-domestic common parts where commercial demises exist; we flag it on every relevant report.

Why Electrician London

NICEIC common-parts EICR

Reg 619783000. Five-yearly common-parts EICR formatted for managing agents — clean C1/C2/C3/FI coding and a separate cost-coded remedials schedule.

BS 5266 emergency lighting

Monthly flick test, annual full-duration discharge and three-yearly load test all logged to BS 5266-1. Battery replacement tracked across the portfolio.

AOV + smoke-shaft testing

Where the Fire Risk Assessment specifies an AOV (Automatic Opening Vent), we test cause-and-effect annually and certify to the manufacturer schedule.

Building Safety Act ready

For HRBs we produce Golden Thread compatible electrical documentation — penetration records, riser inspections, and feeds straight into the Safety Case Report.

Block management electrical pricing

Portfolio agents — ask for a per-block schedule of rates. PPM contracts attract a 15% discount on reactive call-out rates.

Common-parts EICR — small block (≤8 flats)

Single common-parts board, stairwell lighting, riser

£180

Common-parts EICR — mid block (9-30 flats)

Multi-level stairwells, lift power, communal heating

£350

Common-parts EICR — large block (30+)

Multi-board, multi-riser, sub-mains — surveyed first

Custom quote

Emergency lighting + AOV annual testing

Per block — small site baseline

From £150

Full PPM contract — block management

Scheduled testing, reactive call-out, portfolio reporting

Custom quote

What's covered in common-parts electrical

  • Stairwell and landing lighting
  • Riser cupboards and busbar sub-mains
  • Plant rooms (boiler room, tank room)
  • Communal heating controls and pumps
  • Lift power feed (lift itself excluded — separate LOLER)
  • CCTV power and communal data
  • Intercom and door-entry power
  • Emergency lighting (BS 5266)
  • AOV smoke-shaft cause-and-effect
  • Fire panel and interface devices

Frequently asked questions

Where do common parts end and the demise begin?

The lease defines this — typically the front door of each flat. Anything beyond the door (landing lights, stairwell, intercom, riser) is common parts and is the freeholder / managing agent's responsibility. Anything inside is the leaseholder's. We code strictly to common-parts scope and refer demise issues back to the lease holder.

What documentation does the Building Safety Act require for HRBs?

For buildings over 18m or 7 storeys (HRBs), the Building Safety Act 2022 requires a Safety Case Report and a maintained Golden Thread of information. Electrical documentation feeds in via fire-stopping records at every penetration, riser inspection reports, EICR history and emergency lighting test logs. We produce all outputs in a format that drops straight into the Safety Case.

How does this interact with EWS1?

EWS1 covers external wall systems, not electrical — but a surveyor compiling the form will frequently request the most recent common-parts EICR and emergency lighting certificate as supporting evidence. We turn these around in 24-48 hours for EWS1 deadlines.

What about fire stopping where cables pass through compartmentation?

Every electrical penetration through a fire-rated wall, floor or ceiling must be fire-stopped to maintain the rating. We test, record and (where required) install intumescent collars, batt-and-mastic seals or transit blocks. Findings are logged on the common-parts EICR and the FRA evidence pack.

Do you need access to the risers?

Yes — risers are part of the common-parts inspection. We work with caretakers, on-site teams or your managing agent to arrange access. Riser cupboards locked since the last EICR are noted as FI (further investigation) if access cannot be granted.

Who pays — leaseholder or freeholder?

Common-parts electrical work is normally recharged via the service charge — so leaseholders ultimately fund it, but the freeholder / managing agent commissions and pays the contractor. We invoice the agent direct, with leaseholder-friendly itemisation suitable for service-charge accounting.

Do you handle stair-lift power supplies?

Yes — BS 8632 sets out power-supply requirements for vertical platform lifts and stair-lifts in common parts. We install and certify the dedicated spur, isolator and EICR-recordable circuit. The lift itself remains under LOLER / its own service contract.

Scheduled PPM contract or reactive call-out?

PPM (planned preventative maintenance) costs less in the long run — emergency lighting tested monthly catches battery failures before they fail the annual, and reactive call-outs reduce because issues are caught early. Agents on PPM contracts get 15% off reactive call-out rates and a portfolio-level dashboard.

Related services

NICEIC engineers, same-day across London.

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Call 020 3633 5557