Electrical Panel and Wiring Safety Inspection Checklist

Electrical fires are a leading cause of property losses. Annual electrical safety inspections identify hazardous conditions in panels, wiring, and outlets before they cause fires or electrocutions. This checklist covers all major electrical safety concerns per NFPA 70 and ICC standards.

  • Industry: Real Estate & Property Management
  • Frequency: Annual
  • Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
  • Role: Electrician / Building Inspector / Maintenance Supervisor
  • Total Items: 34
  • Compliance: NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, ICC International Property Maintenance Code Section 604, NFPA 70B Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.303 General Electrical Safety, UK Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector 2020

Service Panel and Main Disconnect

Inspect electrical service panel for safety.

  • Panel accessible with minimum 3-foot clearance and not blocked by storage?
  • All breakers labeled with circuit identification?
  • No double-tapped breakers (two wires on one breaker not rated for it)?
  • Panel is NOT Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok), Zinsco, or Pushmatic (recall/safety risk)?
  • Panel free of rust, moisture, burn marks, or melted components?
  • All breakers operational and snapping to ON/OFF/TRIP positions?

Wiring Type and Condition

Identify wiring type and assess condition.

  • No active knob-and-tube wiring (pre-1940, ungrounded)?
  • No aluminum branch circuit wiring (15 and 20 amp circuits, not service entrance)?
  • No exposed, open, or damaged wiring visible anywhere?
  • All junction boxes covered with appropriate covers?
  • No extension cords used as permanent wiring?
  • No evidence of circuit overloading: tripped breakers, warm outlets, burning smells?

GFCI and AFCI Protection

Verify proper GFCI and AFCI protection locations.

  • GFCI protection in kitchen within 6 feet of sink?
  • GFCI protection in all bathrooms?
  • GFCI protection in garage?
  • GFCI protection on all exterior outlets?
  • AFCI protection in bedrooms per 2014+ NEC (required in all dwelling unit circuits in current NEC)?
  • All GFCI outlets tested with test button - tripping and resetting correctly?

Outlets, Switches, and Devices

Inspect outlets, switches, and wiring devices.

  • Three-prong grounded outlets present throughout (post-1962 code)?
  • No cracked, damaged, or warm outlet and switch covers?
  • All outlet and switch face plates present and installed?
  • Tamper-resistant outlets in areas accessible to children (required in new construction)?
  • Adequate outlet quantity in all rooms (no hallways of extension cords)?

Exterior, Subpanels, and Special Circuits

Inspect exterior electrical and special circuits.

  • Outdoor outlets in weatherproof covers with GFCI protection?
  • Subpanels properly installed with appropriate amperage and labeled?
  • Dryer circuit correct gauge and matching outlet (240V 30A)?
  • EV charger installation code-compliant if present?
  • Hardwired smoke detectors interconnected (all alarm when one triggers)?

Documentation

Document electrical inspection findings.

  • Written electrical inspection report completed?
  • Major electrical work to be performed by licensed electrician with permits?
  • UK properties: Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) by registered electrician every 5 years?
  • No open electrical permits from prior unpermitted work?
  • Findings and recommendations communicated to property owner?
  • Repair timeline established for all identified issues?

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Why Use This Electrical Panel and Wiring Safety Inspection Checklist?

This electrical panel and wiring safety inspection checklist helps real estate & property management teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for electrician / building inspector / maintenance supervisor professionals, this checklist covers 34 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: annual.

Ensures compliance with NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, ICC International Property Maintenance Code Section 604, NFPA 70B Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.303 General Electrical Safety, UK Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector 2020. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Electrical Panel and Wiring Safety Inspection Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 34 inspection items across 6 sections: Service Panel and Main Disconnect, Wiring Type and Condition, GFCI and AFCI Protection, Outlets, Switches, and Devices, Exterior, Subpanels, and Special Circuits, Documentation. It is designed for real estate & property management operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed annual. Each completion takes approximately 45-60 minutes.

Who should use this Electrical Panel and Wiring Safety Inspection Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Electrician / Building Inspector / Maintenance Supervisor professionals in the real estate & property management industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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