Electrical installation inspection (EICR)

The Institute of Electrical Engineers (IET) have long since recommended the periodic testing & inspection of electrical installations to ensure the safety of end users. This requirement is detailed in Part 6 of BS7671 2018 & more recently The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 (PRS).  

There are many reasons to carry out an EICR. The following list mentions a few;

• On change of ownership-Often a requirement by a Mortgage provider or following a recommendation from a building Surveyor or Home Buyers Report.
• Elapsed time-Over & period of time & usage, its is necessary to inspect the installation due to wear & tear, deterioration in the condition of equipment & changes in regulations. The following is a recommendation for maximum period between inspections;

              Residential-10 Years

              Commercial/HMO/PRS-5 Years

              Agricultural-3 Years

• Licensing or regulatory compliance: Licensing requirements such as the PRS & HMO regulations. 
• Following a catastrophic event such as fire or flooding.

• The electrical inspection (EICR) should be carried out by a suitably qualified individual with a good knowledge of the regulations & installation practice. The Tester should also ensure that he carries the right level of insurance to indemnify the Client & has suitably calibrated equipment to carry out the task.
• The survey is carried out as per the guidance laid out in IET guidance note 3 & in accordance with BS7671 2018 Part 6 using an agreed sampling method. 

              Visual Inspection

              Continuity of protective conductors

              Polarity

              Ring circuit continuity

              Insulation resistance testing               

              Loop impedance              

              RCD Trip test

              AFDD Test (if applicable)

• Access will be required to check all distribution, metallic incoming services, accessible plug sockets, switches, lights & other electrical equipment. 
• A number of tests require the power to be switched off (Dead Testing) with all equipment either unplugged or isolated. 
• Once completed, a report will be issued based on the IET model forms. The report will either state a 'satisfactory' or 'Unsatisfactory' outcome. 
• C1 'Immediate danger' or C2 'potentially dangerous will result in an 'Unsatisfactory' outcome.

Our engineers are fully qualified by City & Guilds with a minimum of 5 years test & inspection experience & carry the necessary indemnity insurance. We are also equipped with calibrated equipment necessary to carry out the full range of tests laid out in BS7671.  We carry out EICRs in Basingstoke, Reading, Newbury, Andover & Farnham to mention a few locations.

We believe in offering a fair, sustainable & accurate service. We have recently found that others offering extremely competitive pricing to achieve a commercial advantage, do not carry out the full sequence of tests, or are not fully insured & qualified to leave the end-user exposed to potential risk. Another common unethical practice seems to be that of offering a very low initial inspection price & then coding works to fail with a view to gaining further corrective work. These are all practices that we do not advocate & strongly believe our reputation is more important than the race to the bottom to achieve the worst possible service.  

If you have a requirement or indeed any questions, please get in touch below today, for a competitive quotation.

Simon Lintern-Senior Tester & Qualifying Supervisor.