EICR services in Preston.

An Electrical Inspection Condition Report (EICR) is an important document for commercial and domestic businesses, as well as for Landlords. This is a full-scale inspection of your electrical systems and installations, and it can help to prove that your property is safe, and meeting electrical legal requirements. Here at Powerhouse, we have a team of professionals that can conduct these inspections in any industry or sector. 

Is It A Legal Requirement To Have an EICR? 

There is no specific legislation that states that homeowners, businesses or landlords should have an EICR certificate, but there are a number of separate laws that do outline the need for electrical safety. For example, the Landlord and Tenants Act (1985) and Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) detail the obligations that landlords and employers have when keeping both tenants and employees safe. In addition, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 also require that precautions are taken against the risk of injury sustained from electricity used in work activities. An EICR can help to prove that you have taken these precautions. 

How Often Should An EICR Be Implemented?

Over time, electrical installations can deteriorate and age, and this can cause issues with wear and tear. As a result, an EICR should be conducted at regular intervals. These are determined by the British Standard BS 76719 (IET Wiring Regulations), and the following intervals are recommended:

Businesses – an EICR test is recommended once every five years.

Buy-to-let or rented property – an EICR test is recommended every five years, or alternatively, when new tenants enter the property.

Homeowners – an EICR is recommended every 10 years unless the home has a swimming pool. In this instance the property  should be tested once every year.

What Does an EICR Test Involve?

As part of an EICR test, the electrics of your property will be tested. This aims to identify any faults that cannot be identified through a visual check. This includes electrical faults that can cause overloading or over-heating. For example, in the event that any electrical circuit is not properly bonded or earthed, this can cause a fire, or become a shock hazard. An EICR will detect these issues so that they can be repaired. 

An EICR test will also involve a visual check, looking for more obvious faults or issues including damaged cables, broken sockets and overloaded power outlets. The residual current device (RCD) for the circuits that operate the bathrooms and gardens will also be examined. The visual check is something that should be implemented on a more regular basis than the full EICR test.

Upon completion of the test, you will be provided with a certificate. This will note any damage, deterioration, defects or other dangerous conditions that have been identified. In addition, anything that is not up to present day safety standards will be highlighted, as these can cause a potential hazard.  

If the EICR comes back as negative, this will be classed as “unsatisfactory”. What this means is that there is required work that needs to be implemented as soon as possible to remove the risk to your property, or those living or working within. The electrical systems that have failed the test will be identified. Work that is required is classified using the following codes:

  • C1 – ‘danger is present’, risk of injury is likely and immediate action is required.
  • C2 – potentially dangerous and remedial action is needed urgently.
  • C3 – improvement to your electrical system is recommended. C3 is the only classification code that can appear on a report and still pass the EICR test.

You will be provided with an EICR Certificate of Safety, once any work has been carried out and the electrical system has passed the EICR.

For more information about an EICR for your business or home, get in touch with the UK’s leading experts today, here at Powerhouse.

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