What is an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)?
An EICR is a condition report of your existing electrical installation. It involves live and dead testing along with visual inspections of the accessories attached to the installation. A report is filled out concluding if the installation is satisfactory or unsatisfactory. EICRS are important to reduce the risk of electrocution and electrical fires. It helps the property owner understand any issues that might not be visible to the naked eye.
How often should electrical inspections be carried out?
A satisfactory electrical certificate or EICR is valid for between 3 to 5 years depending on the condition and age of the installation. The duration of the certificate is at the discretion of the electrical tester and the risk associated to the installation.
Who can perform electrical inspections and issue certificates?
Individuals who are qualified and competent in the current wiring regulations are able to inspect properties. It is ideal though not compulsory for the individual or company to be registered with a governing body like the NICEIC or NAPIT.
How long does an electrical inspection take?
An inspection can take from 1 hour to 4 hours depending on the size of the installation. The size of the installation depends on the number of circuits, how many fuse boards are installed in the property and the number of sockets, light points and other circuits.
What do I need to prepare before the engineer arrives?
The engineer will need access to the fuse box and circuits within the box. Its ideal to have all of the socket points accessible. If the fuse box is under the stairs please make sure the area is clear. If you have pets its important to make sure they are secure and don’t go near the fuse box while the testing is taking place.
What happens if my property fails the electrical inspection?
If the installation is to an unsatisfactory standard, the reasons will be highlighted in the certificate and the images of the issue will be held in our software, the images can be accessed upon request. The faults are categorised as C1 – Immediately dangerous, C2- Potentially dangerous, C3 – Recommended works and FI – Further investigation needed. C1 usually indicates that there is a live exposed cable in the property that needs attention immediately. C2s are faults like a lack of earthing or bonding, or incorrect circuit protection. C3s are recommendations such as a lack of RCD protection or incorrect colouring of cables and old or worn accessories. A further investigation warning means that a problem has been found but will need additional work done to find out the source of the problem. An example of this is unidentified circuits, where a circuit cant be traced to the termination point or intermittent tripping of a circuit breaker or unexpected voltage drops. These need more investigative work to find out the exact cause of the issue.
Are there any legal requirements for electrical inspections?
From 2020 the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations came in to force which requires landlords in England to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years. Landlords must provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants, and to the local authority if requested. This applies to both new tenancies and existing tenancies.
Can I see a sample of an electrical certificate before booking?
Yes, please request this from our office staff and a sample can be sent to you.
What areas do we service for electrical inspections?
Our team of engineers serve the whole of London within the M25. We have engineers working full time for us in all areas of London, having local engineers means they know your area well and can respond quickly if there is an urgent booking request.
How can I book an electrical inspection?
You can book an appointment through our online web booking service Make An Appointment or via email [email protected] or on the phone 02034881899.
What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
As along as we have 24 hours notice we can move the booking to another date that is convenient. Unfortunately if the request is under 24 hours, the engineers diary has been arranged and changing an appointment would mean we can not add another in its place. The engineers time needs to be accounted for which is why we bill a £50 fee if there is a last minute change.
How will I receive my electrical certificate?
The certificate will be sent to your email provided when booking the service. We aim to have the certificate sent within 48 hours of the engineers visit, however if you need it sooner we can get this sent out upon request. Just give us a call and we will have it sent over.
Who do I contact if I have issues or questions after the inspection?
One of our team is available from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm. Alternatively we have the live chat service and our phonelines are open during our hours of service.