Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
Formerly referred to as Periodic Inspection Report (PIR), this is an inspection and series of test’s to identify if your electrical installation continues confirm to the national safety standard. An EICR will reveal if any of your electrical circuits or equipment are overloaded and thus be unsafe to use.
The EICR also will uncover any potential electric shock risks or fire hazards, identify any defective trade and also highlight any lack of earthing or bonding conductors. Within a domestic environment you need to have your main gas supply and main water system earthed and connected into your consumer unit (fuse board). The report also provides a timescale of urgency by which remedial action should be taken. The test don’t include any repair to the electrical system. Once you’ve got the report you will be able to carry out remedial work or additional investigation.
These reports can also be useful for determining the condition of an electrical system before purchasing a property. Tests are administered on wiring and glued electrical equipment to see that it’s safe. A schedule of circuits also is provided, which is useful and valuable documentation for a property.
Why do I require an EICR?
Electrics deteriorate with use and age. Electricity is often deadly, so it’s vital that people aren’t put in danger. It is the responsibility of the owner for the upkeep of the installation and to make certain that the security of users isn’t put in danger, and that the installation continues to be safe.
After the EICR has been administered our electrician will estimate the date when the next report should be administered. This is often usually around 5 years, but all depends on the condition of the installation.
A periodic inspection report should be administered if a property is being let, or before selling a property, or when buying a previously occupied property.
What is included in an EICR?
An inspection of the electrics is administered . We check the state of ageing components, the consumer unit, the main supply, earthing, sockets, switches and lightweight fittings are checked. We check the cables supplying the fittings and we make sure that they are installed properly and are suitable for the intended purpose and continued use.
Cables that are concealed in walls under floors or in conduit or trunking are not inspected as it’s not practical to do so. Any observations that are made during the inspection are noted and given a code as listed below:
- Code 1: Requires urgent attention
- Code 2: Requires improvement
- Code 3: Requires further investigation
- Code 4: Does not comply with the current British Standard BS7671