EICR
(Electrical Installation Condition Report)
All electrical installations become damaged and worn through wear and tear in time which is why they should be inspected and tested at regular intervals to check whether they are in a satisfactory condition for continued use. Such safety checks are commonly referred to as ‘periodic inspection and testing’. The condition of the electrics are checked against the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations: BS 7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations) by an approved electrical contractor. Once the inspection is completed the customer will be issued with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
EICR FAQ
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WHAT IS AN EICR?
Electrical testing of an existing installation, which was formerly known as a Periodic Inspection Report (PIR) has been changed to Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). An EICR is a detailed electrical inspection of a property’s electrical installation where an in-depth report detailing any necessary remedial work is produced. The inspection includes the below checks:
If earthing and bonding is adequate
Whether sockets, switches, light fittings and controls are suitable, serviceable, and protected Replacement will be recommended if necessary
The wiring system and its condition
If adequate identification and notices are available
The extent of any wear and tear, damage or other deterioration
Whether there are any changes in the use of the premises which have led to, or may lead to, unsafe conditions
WHAT IS THE AIM OF AN EICR?
The five main aims of an electrical installation condition report are:
Record the results of the inspection and testing to make sure the electrical installation is safe to be used until the next inspection (following any work needed to make it safe).
Find any damage and wear and tear that might affect safety, and report it.
Find any parts of the electrical installation that do not meet the IET Wiring Regulations.
Help find anything that may cause electric shocks and high temperatures.
Provide an important record of the installation at the time of the inspection, and for inspection testing in the future.
HOW IS IT DONE?
The inspection and testing should be carried out at appropriate intervals in order to determine what, if anything, needs to be done to maintain the installation in a safe and serviceable condition. The results of the inspection and testing need to be clearly detailed in a report. Any observed damage, deterioration, defects, dangerous conditions and non-compliance with the requirements of the current edition of BS 7671 that may rise to danger, should be recorded and appropriately classified for remedial action.
It should be borne in mind that, as stated in the introduction to BS 7671, existing installations that have been constructed in accordance with earlier editions of the Standard may not comply with the current edition in every respect, but this does not necessarily mean that they are unsafe for continued use or require upgrading.
An electrical installation condition report is, as its title indicates, a report and not a certificate. It provides an assessment of the in-service condition of an electrical installation against the requirements of the edition of BS 7671 current at the time of the inspection, irrespective of the age of the installation.
WHAT DOES AN EICR CONTAIN?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) details any observed damage, deterioration, defects, dangerous conditions and any non-compliance with the present-day safety standard that might give rise to danger. If anything dangerous or potentially dangerous is found, the overall condition of the electrical installation will be declared to be ‘unsatisfactory’, meaning that remedial action is required without delay to remove the risks to those in the premises.
Tests are also carried out on wiring and fixed electrical equipment to check that they are safe.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY OF THE EICR VISIT?
On the day of the visit the electrical engineer will require
full access to the consumer units, sockets and switches
removal of any obstructions prior to the test
any damaged fixed fittings such as broken light switches, cracked sockets etc. to be identified prior to the test and the engineer to be made aware of them at the start of the visit
power to the property will be intermittently turned off. If you have requirements when working from home, when the engineer arrives, this can be minimised and you may be provided with temporary power. Please discuss this with them on arrival.
HOW LONG ARE EICR'S VALID FOR?
Tenanted Properties
For tenanted properties a report on domestic properties is required to be undertaken every 5 years or at every tenancy change, whichever comes first. The EICR is essential to ensure the electrical safety of your property and of your tenants.
Owner-Occupied Homes
Industry guidance recommends this should not exceed ten years for an owner-occupied home.
Business Premises
It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at lease every 5 years for a business.
Public Pools
It is recommend that public pools are periodically inspected every year.
ARE EICRS LEGALLY REQUIRED?
Landlords:
Tenants in any residential accommodation are bound by The Landlords and Tenants Act (1985) which requires that the electrical installation in a rented property is safe at the start of any tenancy and maintained in a safe condition throughout. An EICR offers a simple and cost effective method which landlords can use to comply with the act.
Homeowners Considerations:
There are no legal requirements for homeowners to have an Electrical Installation Condition Report although it is a sensible practise to adopt in order to check the safety of your electrics and help prevent any avoidable accidents from occurring. Homeowners should have their home electrically inspected every 5 years.
Businesses:
There are various laws which require business owners to take suitable measures to prevent accidents. For example, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states that employers are responsible for the health and safety of their employees in the workplace. At the same time, The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require precautions to be taken against the risk of death or personal injury from electricity used as part of work activities. The Health and Safety Executive regularly prosecutes businesses which fail to protect employees from electrical injuries at work.
Laws to consider:
The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985Landlords, or agents acting on their behalf, are responsible for tenants’ electrical safety throughout their tenure. This is why it is important for all properties to be checked to ensure that all appliances are working correctly and safe to use. It is a criminal offence, with a maximum penalty of £30,000 and six months imprisonment if a landlord fails to comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 or the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERANCE BETWEEN AN EICR AND A COMPLETION CERTIFICATE?
An EICR reports on the condition of an existing installation. Completion certificates are issued for work completed by a contractor. It is a declaration that new installations, alterations and additions are safe to use at the time it was put into service. These are issued on Electrical Installation Certificates(EIC) or Minor Works Certificates. These certificates are not an EICR. Many landlords make the error of thinking they have a certificate that constitutes an EICR. An EICR needs to be done on a property every five years if the property is let to a tenant. If the tenant vacates the property, that has not had an EICR, then an EICR will need to be done before the new tenancy begins. This law came into effect from 1st July 2020.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EICR AND A PAT CERTIFICATE?
A periodic electrical inspection checks the ‘fixed’ installation, for instance the wiring, switches and earth bonding, whereas a PAT test checks electrical appliances, for instance fridges, washing machines, kettles, toasters, fans, etc.
A periodic inspection and test (EICR) should be considered under the following circumstances.
to assess compliance with BS 7671
on change of occupancy of the premises
on change of use of the premises
after additions or alterations to the original installation
where there is significant change (increase) in the electrical loading of the installation
where there is reason to believe that damage may have been caused to the installation, as might be the case, for example, after flooding
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FULL ELECTRICAL INSPECTION AND A VISUAL ELECTRICAL INSPECTION?
Visual electrical inspections are supplementary to a full Electrical Installation Condition Report. Visual electrical inspections cannot be treated as a replacement for an EICR. These general checks are designed to provide an appropriate home safety framework under most circumstances. However, if your tenants are vulnerable, elderly or have a disability, special consideration should be given to determine whether additional checks may be required.
WHAT IS PART P?
Part P forms part of the Building Regulations ensuring consistent standards in electrical work. The principle of the Building Regulations is to ensure that consistent standards are applied to the construction of buildings including their structure, sound insulation, fire safety, drainage, ventilation and electrical safety. The Part P requirement is that electrical installations must be safe! Part P of the Building Regulations applies to fixed electrical installations in dwellings (including gardens and shared amenities in blocks of flats, and any building that shares its electricity supply with a dwelling). Many of the typical jobs undertaken by electrical contractors are affected by Part P.
WHY CHOOSE US FOR YOUR EICR?
You should have your electrical installation inspected and tested by a person who has the competence to do so, such as an approved contractor from one of the main accreditation bodies, including NICIEC.
Being an Approved Contractor and Domestic Installer registered by NICEIC we are assessed on a regular basis to ensure that we are competent and capable of meeting the relevant technical and safety standards, codes of practice and rules of the schemes we are registered to. We are also authorised to self-certify our work to the Local Building Control Body, which saves landlords and agents both time and money when undertaking work that requires notification under the Building Regulations. We are compliant with NICEIC’s Platinum Promise which means that if you are not happy with the work that is done by us and NICEIC agree that it is deficient the scheme will help to put it right.
We have a wide experience working with estate agents and private landlords in the South East and Thanet Area and have a deep understanding of their rental and property management needs.
We provide a full in-depth inspection to ensure all electrical equipment is installed and safe to use, and provide a comprehensive report detailing any remedial work that is required or recommended. We also provide a no-obligation quotation for the required works thus saving you time and resources in looking further to get a fault fixed.
PAT TESTING
(Portable Appliance Testing)
Infomation on PAT Teting Requirements for Business/Organisations and Landlords Responsibility
To comply with the 1989 Electricity at work regulations, it is necessary to implement a programme of Inspection and testing of all necessary portable appliances. Portable appliance testing (PAT) is the term used to describe the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use. Most electrical safety defects can be found by visual examination but some types of defect can only be found by testing.
The laws promoted by the HSE and other organisations are designed to improve safety for all in the workplace and other public areas or buildings. With a simple, systematic regime you can comply with legislation and ensure that your workforce, your customers and your people are fully protected.
There is an obligation to carry out a programme of testing, maintenance and inspection:
Where ANY appliances are used by employees
Where the public may use appliances in places such as hospitals, schools, hotels, shops etc
Where appliances are supplied or hired
Where appliances are serviced or repaired
Landlords also have a duty to take certain precautions against injury or death.
WHAT IS A PAT TEST?
A PAT test is a routine inspection of some types of electrical appliance to check they are safe to use. Its purpose is to prevent electrical accidents in the workplace. A full PAT test should include both a visual inspection and a more in-depth check using specialist PAT testing equipment. This test includes earth continuity, lead polarity, and insulation resistance checks. Sme appliances only need a reduced test, called a PAT insulation test. At the end of a PAT test, every appliance should be marked ‘passed’ or ‘failed’. Ideally there should be a record of the results. Not all electrical items need to be PAT tested.
‘PAT’ stands for ‘Portable Appliance Testing’. The standard interpretation is “any appliance that has a plug attached to it and plugs into a wall outlet”. Because of this, the word ‘portable’ is a bit misleading.
There are 7 categories of appliance which should be considered for PAT testing:-
Fixed appliances
Stationary appliances
IT appliances
Moveable appliances
Portable appliances
Cables and chargers
Hand Held appliances
IS IT LAW THAT I HAVE TO GET MY APLLIANCES TESTED?
The short answer to this question is "no". However, The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury is maintained in a safe condition.
The law states that all equipment must be in a safe condition and fit for use. See Regulation 4 (2) of the Electricity At Work Regulations 1989. With a regular maintenance schedule in place, PAT Testing ensures that all equipment is safe and fit for use by employees and customers. The Health & Safety At Work Act 1974 stipulates that all employers have a legal duty to provide safe plant equipment and that every employer must ensure that equipment is well maintained, in efficient working order and good repair.
SENSITIVE EQUIPMENT
Have you ever had a sensitive digital device destroyed by incompetent 'professionals'?
Have you ever been told that all devices must be tested at yearly intervals?
There are many so called "professionals" who are unaware about testing intervals or how to test sensitive devices properly such as computers, servers or professional AV equipment.
With over 25 years of testing experience with us, you can be sure that each and every device is tested correctly.