Jargon Buster – Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)

The electrical world can be confusing and we’ve all come across some terms that don’t make much sense. That’s why in each issue of wired we unravel a piece of industry gobbledygook and tell you what it means – In plain old English.

Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)

SO WHAT IS AN EICR?

You know how every year you get an MOT for your car? Well, the Electrical Installation Condition Report or EICR is basically the equivalent of an MOT for the wiring in a building.

WHY DO I NEED AN EICR?

No one wants to work in an unsafe building – or put their employees at risk. EICRs are therefore essential as they are a way of checking that the building’s electrical systems are safe for staff to use, from operating large-scale heavy machinery to plugging in the kettle at tea break.

Over time, every electrical installation will deteriorate, so it’s wise to carry
out periodic testing to check a system
is working and there’s less risk of a building’s electrics causing harm. Furthermore, most insurance companies will require an EICR to be carried out before they will insure a building.

WHAT DOES AN EICR CONSIST OF?

First a variety of tests and a detailed visual inspection will establish whether any work needs doing for the system to be maintained in a safe and serviceable condition. The results of these tests will be written up in a report, detailing any deterioration and damage, with particular note of defects that can lead to unsafe conditions for users.

Any limitations – for example, lack of access or instructions not to test certain systems – should also be listed in the report. It’s best not to cut corners because it will appear in the report and won’t do you any favours in the long run.

The EICR can form the basis of recommendations for remedial work or it may be a starting point for further inspections.

WHAT AREAS ARE COVERED BY THE REPORT?

The key focus is safety and the Electrical Safety Council lists the following as being among the areas to be covered:

• Safety of persons against the effects of electric shock and burns
• Protection against damage to property by fire and heat arising from an installation defect
• Confirmation that the installation is not damaged or deteriorated so as to impair safety
• Identification of non-compliances with the current edition of BS 7671, or installation defects, which may give rise to danger.

Each observation should fall under one of three Classifications Codes:
Code C1 ‘Danger present’
Code C2 ‘Potentially dangerous’
Code C3 ‘Improvement recommended’

WHO SHOULD CARRY OUT THE EICR?

The inspection and testing of electrical installations should be carried out by a competent person with the knowledge and experience to understand the testing requirements and the skill to carry them out safely. They should also have a good knowledge of the installation being tested.

This is where opting to do things on the cheap can lead to problems being missed. Using an experienced and well-qualified electrician will save you a lot of heartache in the long run.

Things to consider:

• The age of your electrical installation can influence aspects such as wear and tear, corrosion, deterioration or damage. External influences can play a part, as can bad usage of electrical systems, such as excessive loading of plug sockets.

• An inspection can have limitations: eg. cables concealed within the fabric of the building can’t be checked.

• If an inspector finds a situation that presents real and immediate danger during testing, immediate action should be taken to make it safe.

• The report should be presented in a clear, accurate and concise manner without confusing technical terms; it should be a factual record, rather than a recommendation of work needed.

Call us today if you’re still itching to understand the techie aspects a little bit more, we’d love to talk to you!

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