With such an emphasis on safety within buildings or properties having the necessary checks completed, it is now a regulatory requirement. Carrying out these checks not only satisfies regulations but also ensures the safety of those within your building or property. At IPF Electrical we are experienced electrical installation experts. In our latest article we take an in-depth look at what is an EICR.
EICR stands for electrical condition report. This in-depth inspection is carried out on your properties/buildings electrical systems and installations. The report is designed to assess the electricals within your home to ensure that they are operating as they should be, as well as to limit any incidents that may occur. During the test, each element is split into 3 categories. These categories are as follows:-
Once you receive your EICR back from a regulated and trained individual, you are then able to look at what work, if any, needs to be carried out to ensure that your home/building is safe from electrical failings.
There are varying situations to who and when you need to have an EICR completed. What can be said is that over time naturally the installations of electrics as well as their components do wear due to extensive use. This is why having one completed is vital for the safety of those within homes and businesses. Some of the guidelines for various situations include the following:-
Homeowners are required to have an EICR carried out every 10 years. It is also important to have one completed if you are moving out of your home as well as moving into somewhere new. This helps to ensure electrical integrity at both ends. There has also been a common rise in insurance policies requiring an EICR as well. The only exception to the 10 year rule is if you have a swimming pool. This then moves to a yearly EICR check.
Under the ‘Landlord and Tenants Act (1985)’ it is required that the electrical elements are maintained and checked throughout the duration of tenancy. It is therefore recommended that an EICR assessment is carried out once every 5 years, or ideally at the change of tenancy. This helps to ensure electrical elements have not been tampered with during that previous person’s occupancy.
Whilst it is not a legal requirement for businesses to have an EICR, it is the responsibility for the employer to keep people safe under the Health and Safety at Work Act. This law states it is integral for employers to ensure that all precautions are taken to protect employees. Therefore having an EICR completed once every 5 years is usually what is recommended.
During an EICR the approved contractor will check the electrical installations against the requirements of BS7671- Requirements for Electrical Installations. The following areas are checked for their integrity and to ensure their working is correct:-
All of these areas are checked thoroughly and make up the basis of an EICR assessment. At the end, the approved contractor will be able to notify you of any areas of failing as well as any remedial work that may need to be carried out in order to pass the assessment.
If you find yourself in a position where your home or building fails an EICR it is then your responsibility to have remedial work completed. This remedial work will look at the failed areas on your assessment and improve or correct such failings as appropriate. It is then your job to ensure that a retest is carried out once the remedial work has been completed. The timescales on this will be solely down to how extensive the remedial work needs to be.
An EICR is a required component for your home to ensure the safety of the electrical systems in which you have installed. Understanding what is an EICR gives you a better understanding of the importance of this check within your home or business. At IPF Electrical we are highly experienced and accredited electrical installation experts. For more information on how we support your home or business, as well as carry out any EICR assessments or remedial work then please do Contact Us.