The importance of installing and maintaining electrical systems in our schools

In the UK, having electricity in our schools – and other educational establishments – is an absolute priority. Here at PNP Electrical Services Ltd, we are committed to installing and maintaining electrical services, that are imperative to keep the educational sector moving.

With in-depth knowledge of the electrical systems required in schools, our electricians are fully-insured, local authority-approved electrical contractors and experienced in carrying out large-scale projects in schools and colleges.

Working primarily across the North-West, our approved electrical contractors are all CRB-checked, extremely safety-minded and can work in line with your requirements, to exceptionally high standards.

Technology and the effect on electrical systems

As technology has progressed, so have the electrical systems required to support the increase in computer systems, wi-fi and other requirements.

In 1990 the world wide web became more popular following the development of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and following the National Science Federation (NSF) removing restrictions on the commercial use of the internet in 1993, the use of personal computers burst onto the scene, including in schools, colleges and universities.

By 2009, 97% of classrooms had one or more computers, 93% of which had internet access. By 2019, there were almost 3.4 million computers in UK classrooms, with the average primary school having 75 computers and the average secondary school having approximately 386 computers.

Since 2009, the electrical systems required to support this increase in computers have become more complex. But it’s not just computer systems that need electrical support.

Essential electrical requirements in schools

Essential requirements when it comes to electrical installation and maintenance across the education sector, include:

computer systems
lighting
heating and ventilation
fire alarms
inspection and portable appliance testing (PAT)
emergency lighting
emergency / regular maintenance
installation, repair and commissioning of air conditioning systems

As the importance of electrical systems in schools have increased, so has the need for said systems to be more energy efficient.

Energy efficiency

Whilst experiencing the rise of the technological era, electricians also started to be educated on energy efficiency and how to implement energy-efficient systems. This includes:

smart sockets
programmable thermostats
energy monitors
LED light bulbs
eco chargers

It should also be encouraged that all computers are turned off at the end of the day, as they use a lot of energy when they are switched on but not in use. Simply setting them to hibernate after approximately 10 minutes of non-use, will result in substantial savings.

In a similar vein, turning off lights when the classrooms and corridors are empty, could potentially cut lighting costs by 15% and using time switches for any outside lighting could also save further money.

It’s also really important that all appliances are switched off during the holidays and the electricity tariff should be checked to ensure value-for-money.

Why electricity is important in schools

Having effective electrical systems installed and maintained in schools is extremely important for the health and learning of the students.

Since the introduction of computers, they have become an integral part of education, providing students access to a whole world of learning through just one screen!

If electrical systems aren’t up to scratch, then the disruption can have a bigger impact than you can ever imagine. To stop this, at PNP, we are committed to ensuring that the educational establishment is safe, secure, comfortable and conducive to learning.

Maintenance

The best way to ensure a school’s electrical system carries on working to the best of its ability is, to ensure that the system is maintained on a regular basis.

Whether this is every six months, annually or even once every two years, the system must be regularly checked and maintained, to ensure safety and efficiency.

Testimonials

You don’t have to take our word for it, take a look at the testimonials from some of our customers, including from three local schools.

If you have any queries about the electrical systems in your school, college or university, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at PNP Electrical Services Ltd, and we will be happy to help.