This testing has also been referred to as:
An EICR is an electrical inspection with associated testing and a report/certificate into the condition of the electrical installation which highlights any safety shortcomings, dangerous conditions, deterioration, deficiencies or deviations from the current revision of the Electrical Regulations BS7671.
A competent registered electrician who has the relevant training, necessary experience, test equipment and an extensive knowledge to understand the type of installation that they are testing should perform an EICR.
When an EICR is carried out on a property the electrician will need to disconnect the installation from the mains electrical power supply. The timing is dependent on the size of the property this can take several hours or more. With larger installations, for example, commercial or industrial installations these can take longer.
Our electricians will need to switch off and disconnect the power as a safety precaution and also for the purpose of being able to apply the correct test to the relevant electrical circuit. The disconnection of the power supply can of course be an inconvenience for those that are using the building at the time, especially if the disconnection of the power affects the day to day running of a business or other critical operation. We are always flexible and organise a schedule with our clients, with our aim being to undertake works with the minimum disruption to the working day.
For privately owned domestic premises it is not a statutory requirement to have an EICR performed on the electrical installation, but it is a requirement of BS7671 2008 IEE 17th Edition Regulations that the electrical installation of all properties are tested and inspected at appropriate intervals and no longer than once every ten years.
For rented properties it might not be a statutory requirement but it is imperative to make certain that all electrical appliances and fittings within the property are safe and in good working order; as there is always the risk that you can still be held liable if there is an injury caused by an unsafe electrical installation. It is a requirement of BS7671 2008 IEE 17th Edition Regulations that the electrical installation of rented properties are tested and inspected at appropriate intervals and no longer than once every five years.
For a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO), you have a legal obligation to have an EICR carried out on your property every 5 years; or at each change of occupancy, whichever is sooner.
It is, however, a statutory requirement that commercial and industrial properties and premises where the public have access are regularly checked and that an EICR is performed on the electrical system. The period between inspections is determined by the purpose and usage of the building. If you are unsure of your required need for an EICR or retest timescales then please feel free to contact the office on 01225 783294 and we will be happy to advise.
In addition to the above legislative requirements some of the following types of organisations/individuals may require that an EICR is undertaken and require the certification:
We have noticed, more so recently, that we are carrying out additional EICRs for potential property buyers and this has proved extremely beneficial when placing an offer on a property you wish to purchase. This affords the opportunity for allowance on pricing offers, taking into consideration the potential unforeseen eventuality of electrical works, which may need to be undertaken, and avoids unexpected costly rectifications after purchase. We liaise with the agent or seller on your behalf to gain access to the premises and in certain circumstances we carry these out at short notice to highlight any electrical considerations early on in the buying process. As this is a substantial report and the administration aspect needs to be prepared in the office we do when requested call our client and verbally relay our findings to give peace of mind or warning prior to the report preparation and completed documentation being emailed, posted or hand delivered depending on the urgency of the matter.
Our electrician will inspect the electrical installation (both inside and out if required) before they commence with the electrical testing. The visual inspection will highlight damaged or cracked devices, whether devices may have been installed in the wrong location or detect any evidence of overloading and/or signs of over heating problems. To ensure a full accurate report we would require access to all appropriate areas without limitation, unless stipulated otherwise by our clients.
• Continuity Testing – a test to check if there are any badly connected conductors (wires) or high resistance joints and to confirm where a cable is connected.
• Insulation Resistance Testing – a test to make sure that the insulation material enclosing the conductors is intact and not breaking down causing a leak to earth.
• Polarity – a test to check that the conductors are connected in the correct sequence and that live and neutral are not reversed.
• Earthing Arrangement Testing – a check to make sure that the earthing arrangement complies with regulations and that all connections are correct such as the bonding of water, gas and structural steel.
• Earth Fault Loop Impedance Testing – a test to check that if a possible fault did occur, that the system meets requirements to result in a disconnection of the supply within the time limit specified.
• RCD Testing – on modern electrical systems RCD’s and RCBO’s are required to be fitted and these devices react to an inbalance between the phase and neutral and when detected the electricity supply will shut down.
The codes used to verify whether there are non compliances or concerns with the electrical installation are numbered C1, C2, C3 and FI. These codes will be entered on the EICR, along with a description of the nature of the fault and will determine if a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory report will be issued to the installation.
‘Danger Present’
There is a risk of injury and immediate remedial action is required to remove the dangerous condition.
‘Potentially Dangerous Condition’
Urgent remedial action required, this should declare the nature of the problem, not the remedial actions required.
‘Improvement Recommended’
This code more often than not implies that while the installation may not comply with the current set of regulations, it complies with a previous set of regulations and so is deemed to be safe although this safety can be improved upon.
‘Further Investigation Required’
This code identifies a problem but the nature of the issue has not been ascertained.
If your EICR results highlight the need for further works to be carried out then please contact us for any advise you may require or request an estimate for the remedial works to be undertaken.
The type of certification or report you receive depends on the extent and type of electrical installation work, or inspection and testing, that you have had carried out.
Electrical Installation Certificates and Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificates provide you, as the person responsible for the safety of an electrical installation, with a certificate that states that the new installation, or alteration or addition, is safe to use at the time it was put into service.
Keeping hold of these certificates also provides a basis for any further inspection and testing, as they can help save on costly investigatory work, which might otherwise be needed in future. Additionally, in the event of a claim that injury or fire was caused by an electrical installation, certificates are documentary evidence, which help show that, the installation had been installed to a satisfactory standard of safety.
An Electrical Installation Certificate will indicate whether the work carried out is:-
An Electrical Installation Certificate must be issued for all new electrical installations. It may also be required for an alteration or addition to the installation – depending upon whether or not a new circuit has been installed. Where an alteration or addition is carried out but does not include a new circuit, a Minor Works Certificate or an Electrical Installation Certificate may be used.
You should ensure that you receive and keep the paperwork for all completed electrical installation work and periodic inspection and testing. All certificates and reports should include schedules of inspections and test results.
R.S. Electrical Services
Red Lion Yard
Odd Down
Bath
Somerset
BA2 2PP
VAT no: 790990875
NICEIC Enrolment no: 043143
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