Commercial power distribution, emergency lighting & fit-outs.
Practical guidance for shops, offices, commercial landlords and managed buildings. From distribution-board alterations to emergency lighting and electrical fit-outs, we assess the installation, agree the scope and plan work around your premises.
Find the relevant service.
This page expands on specialist work mentioned in our Commercial Electrical Services guide. Select a service for its scope, design considerations and the information we need to prepare an estimate.
Power & distribution
Distribution-board changes, additional circuits, commercial containment, protective devices and planned shutdowns.
Read distribution guidance ↗ 02 / LIFE SAFETYLED & emergency lighting
Lighting upgrades, emergency escape lighting, inspection, functional testing and maintenance.
Read lighting guidance ↗ 03 / FIT-OUTSOffice & retail fit-outs
Electrical alterations for changes of occupancy, new layouts, staff areas and phased refurbishment.
Read fit-out guidance ↗Power distribution that suits the building.
Distribution equipment and circuit arrangements should be based on actual demand, protection requirements, the condition of the existing installation and how the premises operate—not simply on the age or appearance of a board.
Work we can assess and undertake
- Commercial distribution-board inspection, alterations and replacement where appropriate.
- Additional circuits for equipment, lighting, small power and dedicated loads.
- Protective-device selection, circuit identification, labelling and verification.
- Cable containment, segregation, mechanical protection and practical routing.
- Assessment of capacity, earthing, bonding and the consequences of changes in demand.
- Testing and relevant electrical certification following agreed installation work.
How we approach live premises
We identify essential loads, access restrictions and any equipment that must remain operational. Where interruption is required, the proposed isolation and changeover arrangements are discussed before work starts. Supply upgrades or changes involving the DNO or building management may require separate approvals.
Lighting that works for everyday use and safe escape.
Energy-efficient working light and emergency escape lighting serve different purposes. We can consider both as part of a commercial refurbishment, but emergency provision must be informed by the premises, escape strategy and fire-risk assessment.
Commercial LED lighting
We undertake suitable LED upgrades, additional fittings, switching arrangements and lighting alterations for offices, retail spaces and common areas. The specification should consider the activity, desired lighting level, controls, glare, access for maintenance and operating costs.
Emergency lighting installation and testing
- Assessment of existing emergency luminaires and escape-route arrangements.
- Installation or replacement of appropriate emergency fittings and exit signs.
- Testing, fault investigation and replacement of failed fittings or batteries where suitable.
- Agreed routine functional checks, full rated-duration testing and recording of results.
- Commissioning and handover documentation where applicable to the scope.
Emergency lighting design and maintenance should refer to applicable guidance, including BS 5266-1:2025, BS EN 1838:2024 and BS EN 50172:2024, alongside the building's risk assessment. Monthly functional and annual full rated-duration tests are commonly recommended; the precise testing and duration requirements depend on the system and premises.
Electrical fit-outs planned around your operation.
New tenants, revised floor plans and premises refurbishments often need much more than rewiring. Electrical work must coordinate with building access, other trades, furniture, equipment, fire precautions and the programme for reopening.
Typical electrical fit-out scope
- Socket outlets, dedicated power supplies and equipment connections.
- Lighting layout alterations, LED upgrades and switching controls.
- New circuits, distribution changes and suitable containment.
- Electrical provision for offices, reception areas, sales floors and staff facilities.
- Coordinated emergency lighting and fire-alarm interfaces where part of the agreed design.
- Inspection, testing, circuit identification and relevant completion certificates.
Fit-out planning matters
We review the existing installation and proposed use before committing to a programme. In occupied premises, work may need to be phased to limit disruption. Requirements for landlord approval, management-company consent, safe access and planned electrical isolation should be identified early.
Data cabling, network infrastructure, specialist equipment, builders' work and decoration should be defined clearly as included or excluded in the agreed scope.
A defined scope before work starts.
Describe the premises
Share the use of the building, proposed changes and any existing test information or drawings.
Assess the installation
Review the supply, condition, layout, access and how work could affect occupants.
Agree the work
Confirm specification, exclusions, permissions, outages and the intended programme.
Inspect, test and record
Provide the relevant electrical records or commissioning documents for the work completed.
Commercial project FAQs.
For a specific building, the electrical survey and any applicable fire risk assessment determine the appropriate scope.
Do I need to replace an older distribution board?
Not solely because it is older. We assess condition, suitability, protective devices, test results and the intended loads before recommending repairs, alterations or replacement.
Can work be scheduled to reduce trading disruption?
We can discuss phased works and planned shutdown windows. Actual availability, safe isolation arrangements and any third-party dependencies must be agreed in advance.
How frequently should emergency lighting be tested?
Current UK guidance commonly recommends monthly functional tests and annual full rated-duration tests, with recording of results. The system, premises, responsible person's arrangements and applicable standards determine the detailed schedule.
Does your electrical estimate include all building works?
Not automatically. Any containment, chasing, making good, access equipment, out-of-hours work and other contractors' services should be identified in the written scope.
Will you provide certificates?
Where applicable, electrical installation or minor works certification and relevant test records are supplied for the agreed work. An EICR is a separate report on the condition of an existing installation.
Discuss your commercial electrical project.
Tell us about the premises, the work required, your postcode and any operational constraints. We will advise whether an initial estimate or a site survey is the appropriate next step.
NOD Electrical Services · NAPIT Approved Contractor · This page provides general service information, not a site-specific design or compliance assessment. Terms & Conditions.