EICR for Commercial Properties in England
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an evaluation of a commercial property’s electrical installation. Conducted by an approved contractor or qualified electrician, an EICR examines the condition of electrical installations and systems and determines if they comply with national safety standards.
After the assessment, landlords and business owners receive a formal document provided by the contractor or electrician. This document states if your electrical systems are in good working condition or if some defects or deficiencies need to be corrected.
Guesthouses, HMOs
Public buildings like hotels, cinemas, hospitals, schools and sports grounds.
Commercial Offices
Shops and warehouses
Construction Sites
Farms & Industrial factories
Why does my property need a commercial EICR?
Laws in England require businesses to comply with specific electrical safety standards to keep their property, customers and employees safe. These regulations include:
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
Employers must ensure their electrical systems are safely installed and maintained to protect their employees in the workplace. Businesses must continually monitor the condition of their electrical systems through regular assessments and testing.
Landlords and Tenants Act 1985
Landlords of commercial and domestic buildings must exercise all precautions to protect their clients from injury and damage caused by electric fires and shocks. An EICR is required to ensure that all systems have been checked and tested by a qualified electrician.
A commercial EICR proves that you have complied with these standards, ensuring that the property is safe for employees and customers. These electrical safety regulations apply to commercial properties including:
All commercial electrical systems and installations must be checked and tested by a qualified electrician at least once every five years. Some properties require more frequent testing for reasons including:
Why should I have my electrical system periodically tested?
The lack of an EICR and failure to complete periodic testing makes you liable under UK law for damage or injuries caused by an electrical fire or shock. Without an EICR, it is difficult to prove that all measures were taken to ensure the safety of employees and customers.
Some insurance companies also require an EICR as part of their policy. This document is proof to the insurer that you took the necessary steps to reduce the risk of an electrical fault in your property. If you need to make a claim because an electrical-related accident happens, the insurance company is more likely to cover the damages with an EICR.
WHY DOES MY PROPERTY NEED AN Commercial EICR?
Conducting a regular EICR gives you several benefits, such as:
Insurance
Insurance companies may require regular electrical testing. To claim damages from electrical faults, you must show proof of taking security measures, like an EICR Certificate. Check your policy to confirm if an EICR is necessary as per your insurer's requirements.
Compliance with regulations
Having an updated Commercial Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) demonstrates your compliance with legal responsibilities.
Legal protection
An up-to-date EICR demonstrates your commitment to safety. In the event of electric-related incidents, such as fire or injury, the EICR serves as evidence of fulfilling your duties as a responsible landlord or business owner, potentially avoiding expensive legal consequences and damage claims.
Safety
Regular electrical testing ensures safety, reduces risks of fire and shock, and provides peace of mind for property owners, customers, and staff.
Energy efficiency
Lowering energy consumption means cost savings for businesses, while identifying and rectifying electrical faults prevents expensive damages from occurring.
Cost-effectiveness
Reducing your energy consumption means your business saves money. Identifying electrical faults also means correcting them before they cause costly damage.
Step 1: Getting in touch with an electrical contractor
The nature of a commercial EICR means that the electrician handling your inspection must be certified to work on large electrical systems. When hiring a contractor for an EICR, make sure the electricians have Level 3 diplomas from the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in the fields of:
Commercial electricians must also be accredited by governing bodies like the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting. These qualifications ensure that the inspection and necessary remedial work comply with electrical safety regulations.
Step 2: Setting operational limitations and extent of testing
Before the electrician arrives, they’ll discuss the extent of testing and operational limitations in your property. There might be certain areas in the property where assessment and testing cannot be undertaken. The electrician will note down these limitations and explain the reasons for this in the report.
An example of operational limitations includes installations concealed within the fabric of the building since testing would require reconstruction of the flooring, wall or roof space. You may also exclude other installations from being examined and tested, although doing so will not give you a full and accurate report of the condition of your electrical system.
Step 3: Inspection and testing
The electrician will inspect and test all electrical systems on your property (excluding those that are part of the agreed limitations), taking note of issues such as:
Step 4: Report and remedial work
After the assessment and testing, the electrician will generate a report that will be signed by their qualified supervisor. A copy will be sent to you, detailing the findings and recommendations of the inspection.
The law requires landlords to ensure their electrical installations are checked by a qualified person every five years.
Likewise, it is their responsibility to maintain the integrity of the installations throughout the tenant's stay.
An EICR should be conducted by an experienced electrical engineer or electrician.
For commercial and rented properties, the contractor will first discuss the operational limitations with the client. The inspection might require a few minutes of downtime, or the client might have to shut down their phone lines or servers while the assessment is ongoing.
Other limitations include areas of a property that an electrician should not access, such as cables in floors and walls that might require you to cut out the plaster or flooring.
Both electrician and client must agree on a sampling rate, which determines the percentage of sockets to be tested. The two parties may agree on increasing the sample size should any faults occur during the inspection.
To perform an EICR test, the electrician will disconnect the electrical installation from the property’s main power supply. They will check the installation based on the standards set by the IET’s Wiring Regulations.
The cost of a commercial EICR depends on your contractor and the extent of the assessment. Comprehensive electrical inspections take around five hours to complete and costs around £120 to £150 for a two-bedroom flat, excluding VAT. Assessments for commercial properties usually cost £15 to £20 per circuit tested.
Expect to pay more for additional repairs and replacements that your electrician may recommend after the EICR inspection.
Stay compliant with building regulations and maintain the safety of your electrical systems with an EICR from Energy Performance Certificates.
New Regulations from the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented sector state
By 1 July 2020, a landlord must give a tenant an accomplished EICR before their move-in date. The rules will apply only to new tenancies.
By 1 April 2021, a landlord must supply any current tenants with an EICR
Failure to comply with regulations can cost fees of up to £30,000
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WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T PASS A COMMERCIAL EICR?
When an EICR report identifies electrical system issues, an Unsatisfactory result indicates necessary remedial work. The electrician will provide a fixed price quotation and specify a code to indicate the risk level and required action.
C1
CODE 1
Danger present. Risk of injury.
C2
CODE 2
Potentially dangerous.
C3
CODE 3
Improvement recommended.
FI
FURTHER INVESTIGATION
Further checks required without delay.
EICR TESTING BY ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES
During your commercial EICR test, the electrician will disconnect the electrical installation from the property's main power supply. They will inspect the installation according to the standards set by the IET's Wiring Regulations.
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Commercial properties should have electrical testing and inspections at regular intervals. This is to make sure safety and compliance are maintained. The recommended frequency for EICRs in commercial properties is every 5 years. This can vary and may be less depending the type of premises, its use or specific requirements imposed by insurance companies or local regulations.
Yes. Having an EICR is a legal requirement for commercial properties in the United Kingdom. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states electrical systems and installations in commercial premises are maintained in a safe condition. Your EICR is an important document assessing the safety and condition of your properties electrical installations. It indicates compliance with these regulations.
Yes. EICRs are mandatory for landlords in the United Kingdom both for residential and commercial properties. For commercial properties, landlords are responsible for ensuring EICRs are undertaken and current. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in legal consequences and penalties.
Yes, EICRs are mandatory for commercial properties in the United Kingdom. It’s necessary to have a valid, up-to-date EICR. This ensures the safety of electrical installations in premises and to compliance with the law.
The responsibility for an EICR for a commercial property is with the person or entity who has control over the property. This could be the property owner, landlord, or the person or organization responsible for the maintenance and safety of the premises. The responsible party must ensure that EICRs are carried out by qualified and competent electricians or electrical contractors on time.
