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Specialist Knowledge – Decades of experience in theatre, education and technical compliance.
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All-in-One Service – EICR, PAT, LOLER and operational testing completed in a single coordinated visit.
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Full Certification – Clear, audit-ready documentation for your records and insurers.
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DBS-Checked Engineers – Safe, professional and trusted in school environments.
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Nationwide Coverage – Operating across London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and beyond.
Testing & Inspection
Stage and technical systems sit at the heart of your school’s creative environment — and keeping them compliant is essential for safety, insurance and peace of mind.
At School Stage, we carry out detailed testing and inspection for lighting, audio, rigging and control equipment to ensure your systems meet all relevant Health & Safety standards and perform exactly as they should.
Ensuring Safety, Compliance and Confidence
Our testing programmes go far beyond basic electrical checks. We assess the entire performance ecosystem — from power distribution and control desks to winches, tracks and lifting gear — verifying that every system works together safely and efficiently. Whether you operate a simple hall setup or a full theatre installation, our team ensures you remain fully compliant with UK regulations while maintaining the best possible performance quality.
Whether it’s an annual inspection, electrical test, or a full compliance review, our experienced, DBS-checked engineers deliver clear reporting, certification, and expert advice you can trust.
Why Testing & Inspection Matters
Regular testing and inspection protects your investment and your people.
Electrical faults, worn rigging, or untested lifting equipment can lead to serious safety hazards and invalidate insurance cover. Our comprehensive approach checks every part of your system for both performance and compliance — keeping you safe, legal and show-ready all year round.
EICR – Fixed Electrical Testing
Electrical circuits for stage lighting bars and control systems are often overlooked during a school’s standard 3- or 5-year electrical inspection. These circuits require specialist knowledge — control systems must be operated to obtain accurate readings.
Our engineers conduct EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Reports) specifically for theatrical systems, ensuring your stage power infrastructure meets BS7671 wiring regulations. We identify any deterioration, insulation breakdown or loading imbalance and provide clear certification and recommendations for remedial work.
PAT — Portable Appliance Testing
Most schools already undertake annual Portable Appliance Testing, but stage equipment is frequently missed due to difficult access or misunderstanding of use.
We advise having PAT testing completed by theatrical specialists who understand how to safely test, refocus and return stage fixtures to their exact positions.
Our team tests each light, cable, and portable item without disrupting settings or controls — preventing the accidental faults often caused by general contractors unfamiliar with theatrical systems.
LOLER — Rigging & Weight Testing
Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), all lifting and rigging systems must be inspected annually by law. This includes winches, pulleys, flying systems, and other overhead installations such as curtain tracks, loudspeakers and projectors.
We carry out detailed rigging and load tests to confirm structural safety, mechanical integrity and compliance with current standards.
A full LOLER certificate and inspection report is provided, ensuring your venue meets its statutory duties under the Health & Safety at Work Act.
Technical Testing & Software Checks
Following the physical inspection, we complete technical testing of control equipment — including lighting and sound desks, DMX processors, digital audio interfaces and automated fixtures.
We confirm correct operation, apply firmware or software updates, and verify that control systems communicate reliably with connected equipment.
This ensures your theatrical systems perform smoothly and safely in everyday teaching and production use.
Our Inspection Process
Each testing visit is carefully planned to suit your timetable and operational needs.
Our engineers coordinate with site managers or caretakers to access equipment safely, carry out all required tests, and deliver comprehensive documentation.
Typical process:
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Site survey and system overview
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Electrical and visual safety inspection
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Functional testing of lighting, audio and rigging
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Compliance testing (EICR, PAT, LOLER)
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Detailed certification and digital reporting
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Recommendations for service or upgrade work
Testing & Inspection FAQ’s
Why Choose School Stage For Inspection & Testing?
How often should stage systems be tested or inspected?
We recommend a full inspection every 12 months to meet Health & Safety requirements and maintain insurance compliance.
Do you provide the necessary certificates after testing?
Yes. You’ll receive formal documentation including EICR reports, PAT certificates and LOLER inspection records for your files.
Can all tests be completed during one visit?
In most cases, yes. We coordinate electrical, rigging and technical testing within a single visit to minimise disruption.
Do you test systems installed by other companies?
Absolutely. We test and certify systems from any manufacturer or installer and can take over ongoing maintenance if required.
What happens if issues are found during inspection?
We’ll detail any faults or non-conformities in your report and can provide quotations for remedial work or replacement parts.
Are your engineers fully qualified and insured?
Yes. All engineers are fully trained, insured and DBS-checked, with qualifications covering electrical and rigging disciplines.
Do you carry out testing and inspection in London and surrounding counties?
Yes. School Stage regularly tests and inspects systems for schools and venues across London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, and we also undertake larger compliance projects nationwide.
Accredited Bodies & Associations
School Stage is a member of several professional bodies within its trading sector. Compliance with the correct accredited associations ensures that we do our very best to combine quality workmanship with regulated Health & Safety protocol.
CONSTRUCTIONLINE
We’re accredited by this UK Government Certification Service.
INCENSU
Part of the Register of Companies tried, tested and trusted by the education sector.
CHAS
Accredited Contractor for the Contractor’s Health & Safety Assessment Scheme.
ABTT
We’re members of the ABTT, an organisation who care about a safe and successful theatre industry.
PLASA
We are Full Premier Members of PLASA, an international organisation for those who supply technologies and services to the event, entertainment and installation industries.
