EICR Testing In London
and Essex
EICR tests - also known as electrical installation condition reports - are carried out to ensure that all electrical installations on site are safe and reliable to use without posing a health and safety risk. It is now a legal requirement for landlords and business owners to conduct EICR testing on their premises.
Electrical Safety Certificates
Once electrical testing has been carried out, your registered engineer will provide you with an electrical installation condition report (EICR) and certificate.
The report includes detailed information on your electrical systems, which will either be classified as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If your systems have been classified as unsatisfactory, it means that remedial work will be required, with the report listing all the issues and recommending the necessary repairs.
What is an EICR?
An EICR document is what you will receive after you’ve had a safety assessment of your electrical installations carried out. It includes the results of the inspection, a list of observations that will either need further observation or repair work carried out, and the date of the next inspection and test.
The testing process can help you identify damage to sockets and switches, as well as ensuring that the property is safe for its occupants and that it remains compliant with all the relevant regulations.
It’s recommended that homeowners have an EICR review every ten years, while landlords must legally renew their report every five years, or every time the tenancy changes, whichever happens first.
As of July 1st 2020, all new specified tenancies must have recorded electrical safety checks and, as of April 1st 2021, all existing specified tenancies must have these checks in place. A qualified electrician must carry out the work, something that landlords and property management companies alike must bear in mind.
Why does my property need an EICR?
For homeowners, EICR assessments are necessary for peace of mind. You need to know that your electrical installations are in good working condition so that they don’t pose a health and safety risk to you and your family.
For landlords, business owners, property management companies and so on, it’s vital that these reports are produced regularly to remain on the right side of the law, ensuring that electrical installations comply with regulations and don’t put tenants at risk. Assessments are carried out on properties of all sizes, from small business sites to industrial facilities.
Also note that insurance companies may request that electrical systems are carried out regularly. If you need to put in a claim for potential electrical faults, you may need to prove that you did all you could to ensure electrical safety, which will include an EICR.
Beyond health and safety, and insurance, EICR testing can help identify areas for energy efficiency improvements, which can help save you money by reducing energy consumption.
How is an EICR carried out?
Your qualified electrician will come out to assess the safety, performance and quality of your electrical systems, keeping an eye out for defects and deterioration. The first stage is a visual assessment where inspections are carried out on all equipment to ensure they are still in good working condition.
Once the visual assessment has been conducted, the system will be disconnected from the mains power supply so that dead testing can be carried out on specific circuits to see if there are any wires that aren't connected properly.
Live electrical testing will also be carried out, with a precautionary test included to make sure that if a fault does develop it will disconnect within the specified time limit.
Further in-depth examination of equipment including sockets, light fittings, power outlets and switches will also be included before the report is issued.
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