Switchgear and transformers are central to electrical power and distribution networks, isolating faults and regulating voltage to ensure the safe, reliable, and appropriately rated delivery of electricity to businesses and critical infrastructure.
Such equipment is, however, particularly vulnerable to operational failure and presents a significant fire risk if it is not maintained under a structured regime of inspection and testing by competent personnel. These risks are compounded when the equipment is operating in an environment unsuitable for its design and/or application.
To address these concerns, the RISCAuthority, administered by The Fire Protection Association, has released its latest Risk Control publication, RC70: Recommendations for Risk Control for Switchgear and Transformers. The document provides guidance on fire safety arrangements, alongside key information regarding inspection, maintenance, and testing procedures in order to mitigate risk and enhance operational resilience.
The guidance includes:
- Fire safety and general design best practice for switchgear and transformer enclosures.
- General risk control measures for switchgear and transformers.
- Specific transformer loss prevention.
- Key transformer inspections, tests and maintenance.
- Advisable frequencies of transformer inspections and tests.
- Key switchgear tests.
- The challenges and limitations of infrared thermography.
- Electrical equipment condition assessment in line with the National Fire Protection Association’s Standard for Electrical Equipment (NFPA 70B).
The full publication can be viewed here: https://www.thefpa.co.uk/advice-and-guidance/free-documents
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Whilst care has been taken in the production of this article and the information contained within it has been obtained from sources that Griffiths & Armour, an Aon company believes to be reliable, Griffiths & Armour, an Aon company does not warrant, represent or guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or fitness for any purpose of the article or any part of it and can accept no liability for any loss incurred in any way whatsoever by any person who may rely on it. In any case any recipient shall be entirely responsible for the use to which it puts this article.This article has been compiled using information available to us up to 12 November 2025
