Inspection & Testing (EICR) | PD Electrical London Ltd
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Inspection & Testing

ALL ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS, OVER TIME, WILL DETERIORATE NATURALLY AS THEY ARE A WORKING MECHANISM MADE UP OF VARIOUS COMPONENTS AND WORKING SYSTEMS.

It is important that you ensure you carry out checks on the condition
of the electrics in your home at regular intervals.
This will help identify any faults or defects which could require improvement and will ensure the
continued operation of the installation in a safe and effective manner.


There are two kinds of checks that can be carried out and we recommend that you always
employ a registered electrician to carry out such checks.

1. Visual Inspection


A visual inspection is a basic check to identify any visible signs of
defects, damage or deterioration.


No circuit testing will be undertaken, so your electricity will likely
remain on during the inspection.


The electrician will need to be given access to all of the rooms
in your home. The report will typically take around 1-2 hour to
complete depending on the size of the property.


Notes will be taken by the electrician as part of the visual
inspection and a Visual Inspection Report (VIR) will be issued to the
home owner at the end.


The Visual Inspection report will record a number of observations
and recommendations and provide an overall summary of the
condition of the installation.

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Below is a check list of the things you can expect to be looked at
during a visual inspection.

  • Consumer Unit (main fuse board)

  • Sockets

  • Plugs

  • Light fittings

  • Light switches

  • Electrical cables or leads

  • Earthing and bonding

  • Extension leads

  • Kitchen safety

  • Bathroom safety

  • Signs of wear and tear

  • Visible signs of burning/scorching

  • RCD protection around the home

2. Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)


An electrical installation condition report (EICR) identifies any
damage, deterioration, defects and/or conditions which may give
rise to danger along with observations for which improvement
is recommended.


It is a more detailed report than a VIR and will involve the
testing of various circuits which will require the turning off of the
electrics at the main supply. This allows the contractor to identify
any possible hidden defects or issues that cannot be identified
during a VIR.


The purpose of an EICR (also known as periodic inspection and
testing of an electrical installation), is to determine, so far as is
reasonably practicable, whether the installation is in a satisfactory
condition for continued service.


Homeowners often ask for, or obtain a condition report as part
of a house sale. Similarly, landlords with an increasing awareness
of their electrical safety obligations undertake regular periodic
inspections in relation to their rental properties.


It is generally recommended that an EICR is carried out every
ten years (five for privately rented properties) or when there is a
change of occupancy in a dwelling.


Typically an EICR will take around 3-4 hours to complete,
depending on the size of a property and the number of circuits
requiring testing.

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), in addition to the above visual inspection will provide a full summary of the condition of the electrics in your home and determine whether it complies with the current British Standard for electrical safety (BS 7671) Electrical Wiring Regulations.


It will record a number of observations in line with BS 7671 and make various recommendations where improvement may be
necessary or beneficial to improving safety in your home.


Once the EICR is completed we will provide you with a certificate outlining the overall condition of the electrical installation.

Generally, an EICR will provide coding's against the condition of the installation. The classification codes are as follows:


Code C1 - This code should indicates that danger exists, requiring immediate remedial action. The persons using the installation are at immediate risk.


Code C2 - This code indicates that, whilst an observed deficiency is not considered to be dangerous at the time of the
inspection, it could become a real and immediate danger if a fault or other foreseeable event was to occur in the installation or connected equipment.


Code C3 - This code indicates that, whilst an observed deficiency is not considered to be a source of immediate or potential danger, improvement would contribute to a significant enhancement of the safety of the electrical installation.

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FI - Further investigation required without delay.  However, where ‘FI’ has been entered against an observation the inspector considers that further investigation of that observation is likely to reveal danger or potential danger that, due to the agreed
extent or limitations of the inspection and/or testing, could not be fully identified at the time.

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It would not be reasonable for the inspector to indicate that the installation is in a satisfactory condition if any observation in this report has been given a code C1, C2 code or FI classification.

You are under no obligation to have any of the issues fixed, though it is recommended that corrective action to rectify

any C1 and C2s is completed as soon as possible.

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Before purchasing a property it is always worth asking the current occupier if they have an up-to-date EICR. This will give you an overview of the current state of the electrics in the property. If they do not have an EICR you could request that one be carried out with costs to be agreed between either party.

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Landlords are required by law to ensure that the electrical installation in a rented property is safe when tenants move in and maintained in a safe condition throughout its duration.


If the property is a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) a periodic inspection must be carried out every five years.


If the property is not an HMO, we would recommend checking with your local council to determine if they require an EICR or electrical installation certificate for that property.

we recommend that a landlord should have a periodic inspection and test carried out on rental properties at least every five years.


Any appliance provided should also be PAT tested to ensure they are safe for continued use.


To meet these requirements a landlord will need to regularly carry out basic safety checks to ensure that the electrical installation and appliances are safe and working.

PD Electrical  undertakes all electrical testing, whether you are a private home owner, Landlord or commercial premises.

 

And regularly carry out Periodic inspection & testing reports for:

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  • Landlords (Domestic and Commercial)

  • Letting Agents

  • Private home owners

  • Offices

  • Shops

  • P.A.T (Portable Appliance testing)

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All of our engineers are up to date with current BS7671 Standards,​

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Please click on the link below to email us for more information 

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