Electrical Inspection Condition Reporting (EICR)
EICR Explained
Every year we need to check that our cars are safe to drive and so we book them in for their annual MOT to check that they are up to standard. An electrical installation condition report (EICR) is the electrical equivalent of this. It is an in-depth inspection of your property’s electrical systems and installation. The report assesses the competency of your electrics by three different categories:
- C1 – this indicates that danger exists and will need immediate attention.
- C2 – this indicates that there is the potential for danger and advises urgent attention.
- C3 – this indicates that the electrical installation poses no danger but we still recommend the improvements.
- FI – Further investigation required. Sometimes its not as straight forward as it first seemed. Within a domestic household most electrical services are buried within the fabric of the building, making it a little tricky to determine the full extent of the circuit.
✓ – a tick indicates that the electrics are safe and up to standard
A C1 and C2 coding means that your electrical installation is unsafe and action is required to rectify these issues. A C3 means that your installation is safe, however would benefit from some attention.
Do I need an EICR?
Over time, electrical installations will deteriorate with wear and age. This can potentially become a risk if they are not regularly checked; improperly insulated wiring can lead to dangerous electrical shorts while faulty wiring and appliances can cause electrical fires.
So, whether you’re a business owner, landlord or homeowner, it’s important you carry out regular checks on the condition of the electrics in your property.
The IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671, which sets the standard for electrical installations in the UK, recommends the following:
- Homeowners – should have an EICR test, once every 10 years unless the property has a swimming pool in which case it is recommended the electrics should be tested every year.
- Landlords – should have an EICR test once every 5 years, or when there is a change of tenancy.
- Business owners – should have an EICR test once every 5 years.
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