Electrical Condition Report

An Electrical Condition Report (EICR) is an inspection on the condition of existing hardwired installations. This inspection is to identify (In order of priority) any deficiencies against the national safety standard for installations. The results will be logged onto an EICR.

The EICR will:

• Reveal if any of your distribution boards circuits or equipment are overloaded

• Find any potential shock risks and fire hazards in your installation

• Identify any defective work

• Highlight any lack of earthing or bonding

Tests are also carried out on wiring and associated fixed equipment to check that they are safe.   A schedule of circuits will also be provided, which is invaluable for a property.

Under The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 “It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his (and her) employees.”

Not only are all employers liable for the health and safety of their employees, but they must also protect any members of the public accessing, using or in contact with their business and premises.

In addition to this legislation, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 are made under The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and relate specifically to the hard wired systems in the workplace.

Regulation 3 from The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 identifies specifically those who are duty bound by the regulations:

(1) Except where otherwise expressly provided in these Regulations, it shall be the duty of every–

(a) employer and self-employed person to comply with the provisions of these Regulations in so far as they relate to matters which are within his control; and

(b) manager of a mine or quarry (within in either case the meaning of section 180 of the Mines and Quarries Act 1954) to ensure that all requirements or prohibitions imposed by or under these Regulations are complied with in so far as they relate to the mine or quarry or part of a quarry of which he is the manager and to matters which are within his control.

(2) It shall be the duty of every employee while at work–

(a) to co-operate with his employer so far as is necessary to enable any duty placed on that employer by the provisions of these Regulations to be complied with; and

(b) to comply with the provisions of these Regulations in so far as they relate to matters which are within his control.

What type of Testing is carried out during the EICR?

The testing consists of multiple visual inspections and electrical tests and covers all hardwiring such as sockets, lighting, switches, main panels, distribution boards, air conditioning and other fixed components.

To begin with, our engineers will make sure a full diagram of the whole electrical system is available. If you do not have one already, they will survey the system to create one.

Once this is available they will conduct visual tests to check the condition of the electrical system and identify any risks or hazards.

What information should the EICR contain?

An EICR should contain:

• Your business details and the details of the inspection
• Any limitations of the inspection – e.g. Were there areas of the system that were inaccessible?
• Details about the type of system and components in use
• A list of all the tests carried out and their results
• A summary of the condition of the system
• Detailed observations and recommendations for required actions
• Signature of the contractor completing the tests

EICR Frequency Table