All electrical installations deteriorate with age and use. They should therefore be inspected and tested at appropriate intervals to check whether they are in a satisfactory condition for continued service. Such safety checks are now referred to as Electrical Installation Condition Report (E.I.C.R).
An E.I.C.R will:
- Reveal if any of your electrical circuits or equipment are overloaded or damaged
- Find any potential electric shock risks and fire hazards.
- Identify any defective electrical work.
- Highlight any lack of earthing or bonding.
Tests are also carried out on wiring and fixed electrical equipment to check that they are safe. A schedule of circuits is also provided, which is invaluable for a property.
Once the Inspection has taken place, a certificate will be issued presenting the findings of the inspection along with any recommendations according to BS 7671. This certificate will state whether the installation is fit for use with either a pass or a fail.
How often is an E.I.C.R. required?
Your electrical installation should be inspected and tested every:
- 10 years for an owner-occupied home.
- 5 years for a rented property.
- 5 years for commercial (including communal parts of residential apartment blocks)
- 3 years for a caravan
- 1 year for a swimming pool.
It is also recommended that an E.I.C.R is performed after every change of tenancy (this can be visual) and either during or after purchasing a new property. (unless brand new build)
If your property or electrical installation has recently been damaged by fire, water or any other , it is strongly advised that the installation is inspected to ensure it is still fit for use.
For a free no obligation quotation for an E.I.C.R, please call Anderson Electrical on 07887 654631
Below are some photographs of some of my findings from previous inspections:
