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Ensure your event’s electrical system is safe, compliant, and fully tested with professional BS 7909 inspections.
Temporary power installations at festivals, concerts, and outdoor events must meet strict safety standards to prevent electrical hazards, equipment failures, and legal issues.
At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, we specialize in inspecting and testing temporary electrical systems for events, festivals, and outdoor installations, ensuring compliance with BS 7909:2011 and BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations).
Temporary power systems present unique safety challenges, from generator setup and electrical distribution to earthing, bonding, and weatherproofing.
Our expert team provides comprehensive inspections and compliance verification, so you can run your event with confidence.
BS 7909:2011 – Code of Practice for Temporary Electrical Systems for Entertainment and Related Purposes provides essential guidance on the design, installation, testing, and management of temporary electrical installations at events. It applies to festivals, concerts, exhibitions, fairs, outdoor events, TV and film production, and temporary structures like marquees and staging areas.
BS 7909 ensures that temporary power systems are:
✔ Designed for safety, with correct power distribution and protection.
✔ Installed to withstand environmental factors, such as weather and high foot traffic.
✔ Inspected and tested before use to verify compliance with safety regulations.
✔ Managed by a competent person, ensuring ongoing safety during the event.
The standard categorises temporary event electrical systems into Simple and Complex Systems, depending on power demand and risk level:
🔹 Simple Systems – Small-scale setups using off-the-shelf electrical equipment, such as extension leads and socket outlets. These still require basic safety checks but do not need full electrical certification.
🔹 Complex Systems – Larger-scale power distribution networks using generators, three-phase supplies, and heavy-duty cabling. These systems require formal inspection, testing, and documentation to comply with BS 7909.
At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, we ensure that all complex systems meet BS 7909 standards, carrying out full inspections, risk assessments, and certification before the event begins.
BS 7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations) is the foundation of electrical safety in the UK, covering permanent and temporary electrical systems.
While BS 7909 focuses on temporary event power, BS 7671 provides technical requirements for:
✔ Earthing and bonding – Ensuring that fault currents are safely dissipated to prevent electric shocks.
✔ Overcurrent protection – Correctly sizing fuses and circuit breakers to prevent overloads.
✔ IP ratings for outdoor equipment – Specifying weatherproof connectors, sockets, and distribution boards.
✔ Cable selection and routing – Ensuring that temporary cables are protected against physical damage from vehicles, crowds, and environmental exposure.
BS 7671 is particularly important in temporary electrical installations, as outdoor environments present additional risks such as:
⚡ Fluctuating power loads from stage lighting, sound systems, and catering equipment.
⚡ Moisture and weather exposure, requiring IP-rated enclosures and waterproof cable connections.
⚡ Variable terrain, affecting earthing resistance and electrical stability.
Temporary event installations must comply with both BS 7909 and BS 7671 to ensure safety and reliability. BS 7909 provides the framework for event-specific risks, while BS 7671 ensures the technical integrity of the installation.
Events often rely on generators as the primary power source. These must be:
✔ Correctly specified for the event’s power demands.
✔ Securely positioned to prevent overheating and hazards.
✔ Properly protected against weather and physical damage.
Temporary power is distributed via 230V and 400V electrical distribution boards, requiring:
✔ Safe cable routing and proper load balancing.
✔ Use of rugged connectors and Commando plugs to EN 60309-2 for durability in outdoor environments.
✔ Protection from overcurrent, electric shock, and voltage fluctuations.
Earthing and bonding are critical for electrical safety in temporary event setups. A properly designed system ensures:
✔ Safe dissipation of fault currents, reducing the risk of electric shocks.
✔ Compliance with BS 7671, particularly in variable ground conditions.
✔ Mitigation of potential differences, preventing stray voltages.
Failure to implement correct earthing can result in dangerous touch voltages, equipment damage, and serious safety risks.
Temporary event electrical installations face harsh environmental conditions, including:
🌧 Weatherproofing – Ensuring cables, sockets, and power distribution equipment are IP-rated and suitable for outdoor use.
🚶♂️ Physical Protection – Preventing damage from foot traffic, vehicles, and equipment movement.
🌱 Ground Conditions – Varying terrain affects earthing stability and cable protection methods.
Our inspections assess these risks dynamically, ensuring your electrical system remains safe throughout the event.
To ensure compliance, all temporary electrical systems must undergo thorough inspection and testing and certification before being energised.
This includes:
✔ Earth Electrode Resistance Measurement – Verifying that the earthing system is effective, especially in outdoor environments where grounding conditions vary.
✔ Electrical Phase Rotation – Verifying that the three phase systems, are in correct rotation.
✔ RCD (Residual Current Device) Testing – Ensuring fault protection devices operate correctly to prevent electric shocks.
✔ Load Testing & Phase Balancing – Making sure the temporary electrical distribution network can handle demand without overloading circuits.
These inspections are carried out before and during the event, (dependent upon the length of event) ensuring continued safety and compliance throughout.
Ensure your events are safe, compliant, and fully operational.
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Ensuring safe and compliant electrical installations at events and festivals is essential to protect attendees, staff, and equipment from electrical hazards. BS 7909:2011 sets out the requirements for temporary electrical systems, covering everything from generator setup and power distribution to earthing, bonding, and RCD protection.
In this section, we answer the most common questions about BS 7909 electrical inspections, including compliance requirements, testing procedures, key risks, and certification.
Whether you’re organising a small event or a large-scale festival, our expert insights will help you understand what’s required to keep your temporary electrical system safe, reliable, and legally compliant.
BS 7909:2011 is the British Standard for temporary electrical systems used at events, festivals, outdoor installations, and entertainment setups.
It provides guidelines for safe power distribution, ensuring that electrical systems are designed, installed, tested, and maintained properly.
Compliance with BS 7909 is essential to:
✔ Reduce the risk of electrical hazards such as shocks, fires, or power failures.
✔ Ensure legal compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
✔ Avoid insurance issues—non-compliant electrical setups may invalidate event insurance.
Any event that uses temporary electrical power should comply with BS 7909, including:
🎤 Music festivals, concerts, and live events
🎪 Outdoor fairs, food festivals, markets, and exhibitions
🏟 Sports events and stadium setups
📺 TV, film, and broadcast productions
🎭 Theatre and temporary stage productions
💡 Corporate events, conferences, and expos
If your event relies on generators, temporary cabling, or portable distribution boards, a BS 7909-compliant inspection is required to ensure safe operation.
A BS 7909 inspection includes:
✔ Visual checks of cables, distribution boards, sockets, and connectors.
✔ Testing of generators and power distribution systems.
✔ Earth electrode resistance measurement to verify grounding safety.
✔ Residual Current Device (RCD) testing to ensure proper fault protection.
✔ Load testing and power balancing to prevent overloading.
After the inspection, a Temporary Electrical Installation Certificate (TEIC) is issued, proving the system meets BS 7909 standards.
🔹 BS 7909 specifically applies to temporary electrical installations at events. It provides practical guidance on managing power distribution for short-term use.
🔹 BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) applies to all electrical installations in the UK, including both permanent and temporary systems.
BS 7909 ensures that temporary event power complies with the safety standards set by BS 7671.
Temporary event electrical setups face unique challenges, including:
⚠️ Weather conditions – Rain, wind, and extreme temperatures can damage equipment.
⚡ Overloaded circuits – Incorrect load distribution can cause power failures.
🚶 Physical damage – Cables and equipment must be protected from foot traffic and vehicles.
🌱 Variable ground conditions – Earthing can be affected by wet or uneven terrain.
A BS 7909 inspection helps identify and mitigate these risks before the event begins.
Under BS 7909, a Competent Person (CP) must be appointed to oversee the installation, inspection, and management of temporary electrical systems.
The Competent Person must:
✔ Ensure the safe setup and operation of the electrical system.
✔ Carry out pre-event safety checks and electrical testing.
✔ Issue a Temporary Electrical Installation Certificate (TEIC) to confirm compliance.
At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, our qualified engineers can act as your Competent Person, ensuring full BS 7909 compliance.
Yes, but the level of compliance depends on the complexity of the electrical system.
🔹 Small events (Simple Systems) – If the setup involves plugging into an existing supply (e.g., using standard sockets and extension leads), only basic safety checks are needed.
🔹 Larger events (Complex Systems) – If the system includes generators, three-phase power, or portable distribution units, a full BS 7909 inspection and certification is required.
If you’re unsure, we can assess your event and advise on the necessary compliance requirements.
To prove compliance with BS 7909, the following documents should be maintained:
📜 Temporary Electrical Installation Certificate (TEIC) – Confirms that the system has been inspected and tested.
📜 Risk assessments and method statements (RAMS) – Outlining safety precautions.
📜 Load schedules – Listing all power loads to ensure proper distribution.
📜 Inspection & testing records – Showing that all electrical components meet safety requirements.
At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, we provide all necessary documentation to ensure your event passes safety checks.
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