Electrical Condition Report

Commercial and Industrial Compliance Specialists

Understanding the Electrical Condition Report

An Electrical Condition Report (EICR) is an examination of the status of current hardwired setups to pinpoint any shortcomings concerning national safety standards. The results are logged onto the EICR in order of priority.

The EICR serves to:

Identify overloading in distribution boards, circuits, or equipment
Discover potential shock and fire hazards within the installation
Recognize any faulty work
Highlight any absence of earthing or bonding

Tests are conducted on wiring and fixed equipment to ensure their safety. A circuit schedule is provided, crucial for a property's evaluation.According to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, every employer is obligated to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees to a reasonable extent.

Employers are not only responsible for employees but also for the safety of the public accessing their business premises.The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, established under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, specifically address hardwired systems in workplaces.

Regulation 3 outlines the parties obliged to comply with the regulations, including employers, self-employed individuals, and mine or quarry managers. Employees are also required to cooperate to meet their employer's duties under the regulations.

Types of Testing in an EICR

The inspection involves visual examinations and electrical tests encompassing all hardwired components like sockets, lighting, switches, main panels, distribution boards, and fixed elements.

Initially, engineers ensure a complete diagram of the electrical system is available. If absent, they will create one through a survey.

Visual tests are then carried out to evaluate the system's condition and identify any risks or hazards.Key Information in an EICR

An EICR should include:

Business details and inspection particulars
Limitations of the inspection, such as inaccessible areas
System and component details
List of tests conducted with results
System condition summary
Observations and recommendations
Contractor's signature

The approved contractor examines the installation against the requirements of BS7671 to meet national safety standards, comprising about 850 Regulations.

Various factors are considered during the test, including earthing adequacy, switchgear suitability, equipment serviceability, wiring system type, and wear and tear assessment.

Landlords' Responsibilities and Requirements

Under the Landlord and Tenants Act (1985), landlords must ensure safe maintenance of rented property installations during a tenancy.

As of July 2020, it is mandatory to inspect and test properties every 5 years or upon change of occupancy. Landlords must provide EICR certificates and upkeep electrical systems.

Requirements for Homeowners

BS7671 recommends an EICR every 10 years and especially during property sales or suspicion of previous poor-quality work.

Conclusion

To ensure compliance across the UK, Reliable Compliance offers transparent services for various property types.

For a smooth EICR experience, follow these 3 steps:

Visual and live circuit inspection by a qualified electrician
Receipt of EICR report within 5 working days, detailing any faults
Automatically provided quotation for necessary works

Commercial Properties

EICR Frequency Table

Fixed Wiring Installation Type	Recommended Routine Check	Maximum Periods Between Tests
Residential	Change of Occupancy / 1 year	5 years
Commercial	1 year	5 years
Educational Buildings	4 months	5 years
Hospitals	1 year	5 years
Industrial	1 year	3 years
Offices	1 year	5 years
Shops	1 year	5 years
Laboratories	1 yea	5 years
Cinemas/Theatres	1 year	3 years
Churches	1 year	3 years
Leisure Complexes	1 year	3 years
Swimming Pools	4 months	1 year
Public Entertainment	1 year	3 years
Restaurants / Hotels / Public Houses	1 year	5 years