Electrical Inspection Condition Report (EICR)
Summary of an EICR
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Electrical Inspection Condition Report's (EICR) are similar to an MOT for a car, as in its to check for safety issues. For an EICR this is Electric shock and/or fire risks. Some property types have a legal obligation to get an EICR every 'X' number of years (all commercial property + domestic rentals). Timescale is typically 3-5 years depending on property type.
Reason for EICR's
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Electrical fire. According to a Home Office report dated 27th June 2017, Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) attended 30,296 fires (in home type dwellings) in 2016-17, resulting in 5,358 injuries and 213 fatalities. Electrical causes of fire are a common event, such as Glenfell Tower, which was started by a faulty fridge (white goods surprisingly common source of fire).
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Electric shock. About 1 person is killed by electric shock every day or two in the UK. Nearly all fatalities are totally avoidable. Corporate manslaughter law now applies for properties wilfully neglected and unsafe.
In the USA and other countries the fatality and serious injury rate is notably higher, due to a combination of reasons, such as different voltages, different wiring methods and other reasons also ( Ant wrote a report comparing fatality rate between USA and UK, looking into specifics of this).
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Details of an EICR
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They are awkward, technical documents, often 6+ pages, with around 200 data points, as opposed to 1 page around 10 data points for a Gas certificate for example. A report summary, written in simple terms, is typically written on page 1 .They are deemed either 'satisfactory' or 'unsatisfactory' , again listed on page 1.
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Reasons for 'Unsatisfactory' will be listed on 'Observations' page. Electrical safety issues are rated either Code 1, 2 or 3. Code 1 safety issues should be isolated and made safe immediately. Typically (but not always) Code 1 issues are obvious to the customer, such as an exposed live wire. Code 2 issues should be resolved as a matter of urgency. Code 3 issues are optional opportunities to help reduce risk.
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If deemed 'unsatisfactory' then an invoice should be issued after repair work has been completed, stating that it relates to issues listed on report. The correct proof would thus avoid cost of retesting the whole property again. The invoice statement should be kept secure with the report, its very important. Photo evidence can also help in some cases.
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Quality Standards
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Applying 'Best Practice' guides, issued by Electrical Safety Council, helps the customer get great value for money, through safe, reliable and proven processes.
Having completed 1,000+ EICRs over last 12+ years helps give extra value for money, through experience of dealing with many Code 1 and 2 issues in the past.
Related
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We also offer other types of reports and certificates, such as Visual Inspection (cheap and quick ideal for potential house purchase) , Emergency light Report, Installation Certificates etc.
