Electrical Installation Condition Report
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What is an EICR?
EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report and it is when a competent electrician checks the condition of your electrical installation through a series of electrical tests and visual inspections, they then produce a report based on his or her findings detailing whether the installation is in a "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory" condition. See it as an "MOT" for the electrical installation, in short, checking the health of your installation.
Our fully qualified and insured electricians are able to carry out the range of necessary tests and visual inspections to produce a very clear and accurate report of the findings detailing what, if anything, needs to be done to bring the installation up to current regulations and keep everyone safe.
How long does it take?
This depends on the number of circuits to be tested and the size of your property. As a rough guide you will be looking at anything between half a day (3.5 hours) to a full day (7 hours).
Do I need an EICR?
Every electrical installation should be tested at regular intervals in order to maintain the life span of the installation. The time between these intervals can vary depending on the type of installation (i.e domestic, commercial, hospitals etc), in general these are the maximum recommended initial frequencies:
Domestic (general): Change of occupancy / 10 years
Domestic (rented): Change of occupancy / 5 years (plus yearly routine check)
Commercial: Change of occupancy / 5 years (plus yearly routine check)
Education establishments: 5 years (plus 6-monthly routine check)
For information on intervals periods for other property types click here
These interval periods are a maximum and shorter periods may be advised by a competent electrician if he or she identifies any current or potential defects which need more regular monitoring.
CODING
Coding is the term used for the categories which we would put a non compliance or issue into when producing our final report.
C1 - Danger present. Risk of Injury. Immediate remedial action required.
This code means there is immediate danger present which must be rectified or made as reasonably safe before anything can continue. This code would produce an "unsatisfactory" report.
C2 - Potentially dangerous, urgent remedial action required.
This code means there is potential danger which we would advise to have rectified, this code would also produce an "unsatisfactory" report.
C3 - Improvement required.
This code means we would recommend something we have identified should be improved. While this code alone would not produce an unsatisfactory report, it highlights any deficiencies within the installation.
FI - Further investigation required without delay.
This code would be applied where there has been an apparent deficiency that could not, due to limitations or extent of the inspection, be fully identified and further investigation may reveal a C1 or C2 item. This code would produce an unsatisfactory report.
For further information on EICR guidelines click here
What happens if I don't get an EICR?
If you are a landlord with a tenant in place who pays rent, then from April 1st 2021 by law you must have an EICR carried out on the property and supply a certificate to the tenant within 28 days of carrying out the tests. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to £30,000 to landlords in breach of this, this is part of the governments commitment to improve standards in the private rented sector.
What happens if my report comes back unsatisfactory?
Firstly, don't panic. If we do find anything that deems the report unsatisfactory, we can recommend remedial works to be carried out to bring it up to a satisfactory standard.
I think I made need an EICR?
If you are unsure whether or not you need an EICR then get in touch now and allow one of our to give you free informed advice on whether or not you need an EICR.