To ensure your property conforms to high levels of safety standards, you must have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) to identify any damage, breakdown and faults on electrical installations which may cause danger to individuals. But what does an EICR test involve? In this article, our specially-trained City & Guilds electricians answer this question, as well as what you get upon a successful EICR inspection, which is the electrical safety certificate.
What Does An EICR Test Involve?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal document produced following a thorough assessment of electrical installations within commercial or industrial properties. An in-depth assessment of the overall electrical system and installations will be carried out looking for deterioration or faults. Following completion of the assessment, the report will be issued pointing out any defects in electrical systems against the UK standard for electrical safety standards – BS7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations).
So, what does this electrical testing involve? An electrical installation condition report test can only be conducted by a highly qualified, skilled and electrical engineer. Before the test is carried out the electrical engineer must disconnect the electrical equipment from the mains power supply.
During the test, the electrical engineer will carry out a visual inspection and also analyse the condition of the electrical system and assess it for safety and compliance, paying particular attention to any deterioration or faults. The condition of the electrics will be checked against the UK Standard for the Safety of Electrical Installations – BS7671 IET Wiring Regulations.
Throughout the inspection, the following is tested and inspected:
- Sufficiency of earthing and bonding
- Identification of wear and tear which may impact the safety of property occupants
- Devices for protection against fire and electric shock risk
- Recognition of any damaged electrical fittings and accessories
- Locate any exposed live wires that could cause a fire or injury
Following completion of the assessment, a report will be issued and any faults/non-compliance within the electrical system will be included in the report with the reason for the failure if required, and graded in terms of their danger by EICR fault codes. This report acts as an electrical safety certificate. Please note, many faults cannot be seen with a visual inspection and are only picked up during a thorough EICR test. When the electrical system has passed inspection fully and any crucial remedial work has finished then a satisfactory EICR can be issued to confirm the safety of the electrics.
EICR For Landlords
Here at Fixx, we offer Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) for landlords. We carry out inspections of electrical installations in rented properties to comply with the legal duties landlords face ensuring the electrical circuits and infrastructure of rented properties are safe for tenants.
We are a NICEIC-approved electrical engineer with a team of highly qualified, trained and skilled electricians who are 18th edition wiring regulations compliant and can complete an EICR inspection on rented properties. If you are a landlord and would like to arrange an EICR report on your rented property please call us on 0330 3530 365 or simply fill in our contact us form.
What Does EICR Stand For?
An EICR is an Electrical Installation Condition Report, a type of electrical safety certificate. The report highlights any damage, breakdown and faults on electrical installations which may cause danger to individuals and also explains recommended improvements. Below we explain what is the purpose of an EICR.
What Is The Purpose Of An EICR?
So, what is the purpose of an EICR? The purpose of electrical installation condition reports is to guarantee the safety of individuals within both buildings and commercial properties. Electrical installation condition reports are formal documents produced following an assessment of the electrical installation within both buildings and commercial properties. The report must be carried out by a highly qualified, skilled and qualified electrician or an approved electrical contractor with good working knowledge of electrical installations. Typically, the qualified electrician or approved electrical contractor will have completed a course covering periodic inspection and testing and are either registered with the JIB or a scheme provider such as the NICEIC.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is needed for buildings, businesses and rented properties although it is not a legal requirement to have an EICR report, many legal documents refer to an EICR as a way of satisfying their requirements. The recommended frequency for having an EICR inspection carried out depends on the type of premises. Below are the recommended frequencies for the different types of premises:
- Homeowners – It is recommended that buildingowners have an EICR inspection completed at least every 10 years. Please note, it is important to have an inspection carried out when moving out or into a new property if the insurance company requires one, or if the current electrics are old or potentially faulty. This time scale may be reduced depending on the outcome of the EICR.
- Rented Properties – Landlords of rented properties must maintain an up-to-date EICR report under the ‘Landlord and Tenants Act (1985)’. A landlord must ensure that the electrical installation in their rented property is maintained safely throughout a tenancy. It is recommended that an EICR report is carried out at the change of tenancy or at least every 5 years. It is also recommended that annual PAT testing is carried out.
- Businesses – An employer is responsible for the welfare and safety of their employees. Under the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act it states that employers are ‘responsible for the health and safety of their employees’ and The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 requires that precautions must be taken in order to prevent the risk of injury from electricity used as part of work activities. It is recommended that an EICR inspection should be carried out at least every 5 years.