Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
The naked eye cannot see electricity. It passes through cables hidden inside walls. Consumer units are also housed in wooden enclosures. As a result, any damage or wear and tear are usually hidden. However, just because we can't see an issue doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Old wiring and other system flaws can be hazardous and result in major electrical fires. EICR is the report that protects you against these dangers.
The purpose of the EICR is to report on the condition of existing electrical installation to give the following outcome:-
SATISFACTORY – the installation is deemed safe for continued use.
UNSATISFACTORY – one or more issues of safety have been identified.
What is the EICR Report?
Electrical infrastructure and cables, like anything else, deteriorate over time. However, we rarely see them unless there is an issue. Electric installations and wires will be inspected by certified electricians. They will identify flaws and damages and write a report, known as an EICR report.
Having an EICR is not a compulsion by law, but wiring regulations and other statutory documents state that you should keep your electric installations in good working condition, and they must be safe. Time periods vary for the length of time between inspections, depending upon the type of premises it is for, typically for domestic properties it is between 5 and 10 years but always down to the discretion of the electrician conducting the test. Having an inspection before buying and selling a house also puts you in a safe condition.
How to Check the Age of Electric Installations?
The age of electric installations can tell you if you need EICR or not. But common people have no idea about checking the age of electric installations. There are some simple things which can help you to estimate. For instance, if the fixed cables are coated in black rubber, they were used in the 1960s. See the cables if they are coated in the lead; they were used before the 1960s. If the fuse box has a wooden case or switches are made with cast iron, it is almost the same time.
These are just a few hints to check old installations. However, if you are confused, get help from experts; they can inspect and tell you the condition exactly.
Why Do you Need an EICR?
Many people are not sure why they need EICR. If you wonder why you need an EICR, here are a few reasons.
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Damaged wires can cause electrical fires; to avoid that, you need a regular EICR.
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If you are buying a new house, EICR is vital to know the condition of electric installations.
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Sometimes insurance companies also bind their clients to provide EICR to ensure that the home is safe. Insurance companies also threaten that they will invalidate your insurance if you do not produce this certificate.
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If you have a rental property, it’s good to have EICR; it proves your concern for tenants, and you will get tenants quickly.
Aim of an Electrical Installation Condition Report
EICR is not a useless report; it has some aims stated below.
1. The report checks electric installations and makes sure that they are safe to use.
2. It checks damages and wear and tear and reports it for further action.
3. The report checks the compatibility of electric installations with IET wiring regulations.
4. Find out those problems which can lead to electric shocks and high temperatures.
5. It provides a record of inspection and a reference for future inspection.
Cost of Electric Installation Condition Report
There is no fixed price for the EICR; it depends on various factors.
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Location of property
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Size of property
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Age of building
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The extent of testing
All these factors contribute to the cost. A New and small house will have a cheap inspection compared to a large and old house.
Types of EICR
EICR can be of two types
1. Visual condition report: It is about the appearance of the installation and cables. It doesn’t include complete testing of installations. So, it is suitable only if you have done complete testing recently.
2. Periodic inspection: It is the complete installation and testing of electrical installations. Most of the experts recommend this type of EICR after regular periods.
Periodic Inspection Procedure
There is no strict procedure to carry out periodic inspections. It is different for residential properties and commercial settings.
Domestic periodic inspection: When experts do a periodic domestic inspection, they discuss the extent of testing with the house owner. How many circuits have to check and if inspectors check cables in walls and floors, all these things will be decided before the inspection. Usually, electricians do standard verification testing, clearly visible and easily accessible. Usually, plasters are not cut until extremely necessary.
Commercial periodic inspection: Commercial inspection has some limitations compared to residential one. Sometimes inspectors have to shut down power supplies, affecting the business. Usually, inspection is done to sample a percentage of sockets and cables. If there are faults in the sample, experts can suggest increasing the size of the sample or doing a complete inspection.
Once the inspection is complete, inspectors will prepare a report. It will have a summary of all their findings related to electric installations. The report will have details of all the installations that don’t match with regulations; it can be old wiring or protective devices that don’t comply with current regulatory standards.
Inspectors will also recommend the maximum time before the next inspection. For domestic settings, the maximum time between two inspections is ten years, but if the wiring is old, experts recommend doing it after 7 or even 5 years.
Electricians will give their recommendations to fix the problems if there are any. Inspectors will mention that in the same report if something requires immediate attention.
Who Can Inspect EICR?
Registered electricians can inspect EICR. However, every registered practitioner is not eligible for EICR. To perform this inspection, an electrician must have level 3 periodic qualifications. An electrician having less than this level of certification is not eligible to carry out EICR.
T&R Sutton has a team of experts who can do professional EICR. We have been providing these services in Hampshire for the last 25 years. We have professionals who can work in residential, commercial and even industrial settings.
We evaluate the nature of the inspection with the client. Our professionals give accurate inspection reports while causing no damage to the interior of the house. We recognise the importance of this report, so we conduct a thorough check. For inspection, our professionals use the most up-to-date technologies and techniques, as well as thorough visual checks. We choose samples for larger commercial and industrial settings without interfering with the business activity of the place. We ensure that the report you receive is correct and that suggestions are based on the actual conditions of the place.
If you are concerned about the price of the report, please contact us for an estimate. We provide the best value with trustworthy results. Because we have been certified by the relevant authorities, our experts can create a report and offer you certification. Our professionals accept full responsibility for their work and have years of experience doing it. Our staff can complete the task on schedule and without needless delays or interruptions.
You can trust our team for EICR, and we ensure complete satisfaction, reliable results and quick work without any delay. It’s about the safety of your home and family, and we try our best to keep you well-informed about the potential hazards.
Get in contact with our electricians
To get in touch with one of our specialist electricians regarding our commercial and domestic electrical services, call us on 07801 768651 or email hello@trsuttonltd.co.uk
