What A Commercial EICR Covers
An Electrical Installation Condition Report records the findings of a periodic inspection and testing of an existing electrical installation. It helps the person responsible for a building understand whether the inspected installation is satisfactory for continued use. It is a condition assessment within an agreed scope, rather than a certificate for new installation work.
The work considers distribution equipment, circuits, protective measures and accessible wiring or accessories within the inspection boundary. The report should describe that boundary and any agreed or operational limitations. A brief visual visit is not equivalent to a properly scoped periodic inspection and testing programme.
A commercial EICR does not automatically include portable appliance testing, emergency lighting duration tests or the internals of production machinery. Mixed-use buildings also need clear boundaries between tenant installations and landlord systems. Tell us who controls each distribution board and who holds the existing records.
When To Arrange An Inspection
An inspection may be useful when taking over premises, reviewing a maintenance programme or responding to concerns about the installation. Lease conditions, insurance requirements and a previous inspector’s recommendation can also affect timing. Obtain the actual wording of any requirement rather than relying on an assumed standard interval.
There is no single inspection interval that suits every commercial building. Use, environment, maintenance history and previous findings should inform the recommendation. If there are signs of immediate danger, a future scheduled inspection is not a reason to keep using unsafe equipment.
The Legal Duty And Technical Standard
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical systems to be constructed and maintained to prevent danger, so far as reasonably practicable. An EICR can support management of that duty, but paperwork alone does not resolve defects. BS 7671 provides the technical reference for inspection of the installation.
Existing installations need informed assessment rather than an automatic demand to replace everything that differs from current new-work requirements. An inspector should explain observations and the risk they identify. The NICEIC guidance on Amendment 4 explains the current wiring regulations context.
The Inspection Process
First, we request the building use, postcode, previous reports and available circuit schedules. The proposed scope sets out the installation to be inspected, access arrangements and planned limitations. The people affected by power interruptions should be identified while the visit is being arranged.
On site, the inspector carries out the agreed inspection and testing using appropriate safe working methods. Some checks require circuits to be isolated and connected equipment to be considered before testing. Access restrictions or unexpected conditions must be recorded and explained, not silently treated as completed work.
The completed report brings together observations, schedules and the overall assessment. C1 indicates danger present, C2 indicates a potentially dangerous condition, C3 recommends improvement and FI calls for further investigation. Dangerous findings require prompt action, with the response matched to the observation rather than a generic repair deadline.
Understanding The Quotation
EICR pricing depends on the number and arrangement of circuits, distribution boards, access and the quality of existing records. Multiple occupiers, sensitive equipment and restricted shutdowns can make the inspection more involved. Floor area alone is a poor basis for comparing inspection quotations.
Ask whether tracing unidentified circuits, out-of-hours attendance and returning to inaccessible areas are included. Inspection and remedial work should be described separately so you can see what each quotation covers. We need enough information to define the inspection before discussing a price.
What To Do With The Findings
Give the report to the person responsible for electrical safety and arrange the required response to each observation. Keep evidence of completed repairs alongside the original report. Where further investigation is recommended, establish what needs to be examined and who will review the outcome.
For the practical testing operation behind the report, read about fixed wire testing in London. These terms often describe related work, so one correctly scoped appointment may meet both needs. Ask us to clarify the deliverable before booking separate visits for the same installation.
Commercial EICR FAQs
Is A Commercial EICR The Same As Fixed Wire Testing?
A commercial EICR is the written condition report produced after periodic inspection and testing, often marketed as fixed wire testing. Confirm that your quotation includes both the site work and the report, along with schedules and limitations. The terms should not lead to duplicate bookings for the same installation.
Does An Unsatisfactory EICR Mean A Full Rewire?
An unsatisfactory EICR does not automatically mean a full rewire is needed. The observations identify defects or investigation needs that must be considered individually. Ask for an explanation of the findings and a separate remedial scope, with evidence showing how each relevant issue will be addressed.