What is an EICR and what does it involve? A guide for business owners

If you own a business in the UK, you may have heard of an EICR. An EICR or Electrical Installation Condition Report is an important check that you should have carried out on a regular basis to ensure the safety of your business premises. In this guide, we’ll explain what an EICR is, why it’s important, and what it involves.

What is an EICR?

An EICR is a comprehensive safety check of the electrical systems within a building. This report is designed to assess the safety and condition of all electrical installations, from the wiring and circuits to the sockets and switches. The purpose of the EICR is to uncover any potential hazards or damage within the electrical system that could pose a risk to the occupants of the building. The report highlights any areas that require attention and provides recommendations for rectifying them.

Why is an EICR important?

If you own a business premises in London, it’s your responsibility to ensure the safety of everybody within the building, including employees, customers, and visitors. An EICR London is an essential part of your duty of care to ensure that the electrical installations in the premises are safe and comply with regulations. Failure to have an up-to-date EICR certificate London could result in serious consequences including facing fines, invalidating insurance policies, and more in the event of an electrical accident. To be compliant and safe, get an EICR from Hexo Electrical Testing.

What does an EICR involve?

An EICR should always be carried out by a qualified, competent electrician. The electrician will need access to all areas of the building where electrical installations are present including ceilings, floors, and walls.

The inspection will generally include:

• Visual inspection: The electrician will carry out a visual inspection of all electrical installations, including the wiring, sockets, switches and lighting. They will look for signs of damage, wear and tear, and any other visible defects that may pose a risk to safety.
• Testing: The electrician will conduct a series of tests to make sure that the electrical installations are safe and compliant with regulations. These tests will include checks on the earthing and bonding of the system, along with the polarity and continuity of the circuits.
• Reporting: Following the inspection, the electrician will produce an EICR report outlining the results of the inspection. The report will detail any defects or potential hazards identified along with any recommended remedial works. The report also provides a classification code for each item, indicating the level of urgency for any required works.
• Remedial works: If any potential hazards or defects are identified during the inspection, the electrician will recommend remedial works that are necessary to ensure the electrical installations are safe and compliant.

An EICR is an essential safety check for all business premises owners in the UK. It is your responsibility to ensure that everybody in the building is safe, and an important part of this is an up-to-date EICR. Commissioning an EICR allows you to identify any potential hazards and take action to rectify them.