BS 7671 Amendment 4: why it matters for facility managers
If you manage commercial or public sector buildings, BS 7671 Amendment 4 is one of those regulatory updates worth paying attention to.
It is not a minor technical tweak. It reflects how quickly the built environment is changing, and it gives facility managers a clearer standard to hold their electrical contractors to.
Why this update matters for your buildings
The most significant change is a new chapter dedicated to battery energy storage systems. More commercial properties are now installing solar PV with battery backup, EV charging with vehicle-to-grid capability, and UPS systems to protect critical operations. Until now, there has been limited formal guidance on how these systems should be isolated, protected and ventilated. Amendment 4 changes that, setting out clear requirements around fire risk, thermal runaway and safe isolation for two-way power flow. For facility managers, this means less ambiguity and a defined benchmark to measure contractors against.
The update also brings Power over Ethernet installations into sharper focus. Many buildings now run lighting, CCTV, access control and smart building systems over data cabling, without treating it as an electrical installation. Amendment 4 makes clear that PoE now falls under proper inspection and testing requirements, which matters for anyone responsible for building safety and compliance records.
There are also updates to ICT earthing and bonding, medical location requirements, and a stronger emphasis on contractor competence for specialist work such as solar PV, EV charging and battery systems.
How Metcor Electrical is ensuring compliance
At Metcor Electrical, we see updates like this as part of the job. Our engineers will be working through structured CPD to build their understanding of the new requirements. This will cover everything from battery storage isolation to the updated testing and certification forms. This work is being driven internally by Joe Halford, Quality Manager, and our department heads. Our aim is straightforward: to be fully compliant well ahead of the October 2026 grace period.
This approach is consistent with how we operate more broadly. Metcor Group maintains a strong portfolio of industry accreditations and certifications, which underpin the quality and safety of the work we deliver. These accreditations reflect independently verified processes, competence and ongoing training that give our clients confidence when we are working on critical infrastructure and high profile commercial sites, where the margin for error is small and the standards expected are high.
For facility managers, this matters because compliance is only as good as the people carrying it out. Regulations can set the standard, but it takes properly trained, accredited engineers to deliver it in practice. That is the role we play for our clients across the commercial and public sectors.
What this means for you
Amendment 4 gives facility managers a stronger, more current framework to assess electrical safety and contractor competence, particularly as buildings take on more renewable technology and smart systems. At Metcor Electrical, we are making sure our engineers are equipped to meet these requirements.
If you would like to discuss how Amendment 4 affects your site, or how we can support your compliance requirements, please get in touch with the Metcor Electrical team: electrical@metcor.co.uk
