An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is crucial for ensuring the electrical safety of your property. It’s designed to detect potential hazards, ensuring your wiring, sockets, and other electrical systems are functioning safely. But what if the results come back unsatisfactory? In this article, we will explain what happens if your EICR fails, what it means for your property, and the steps you need to take to rectify the situation.
What is an EICR?
An EICR is a thorough inspection and testing of the fixed electrical installations at your property. Conducted by a competent, qualified electrician, the EICR checks for safety compliance with current regulations. Regular EICR inspections are crucial for ensuring your home, rental, or business premises are electrically safe. If issues are detected during the inspection, your EICR will be recorded as unsatisfactory, and the inspector will provide a detailed report indicating which areas of your property require attention.
Why Did My EICR Result in an Unsatisfactory Outcome?
If your EICR results in an unsatisfactory outcome, it means that the inspection revealed issues that pose a risk to electrical safety. The inspector uses a system of codes to categorize the faults found. These codes identify the severity of the issue and help determine what steps need to be taken to resolve them.
Here are the four possible codes that can appear in your EICR report:
- C1 – Immediate Danger: This indicates an imminent risk of harm and requires immediate action to rectify the fault. This could mean electrical shock risks or fire hazards that must be addressed urgently.
- C2 – Potentially Dangerous: This means that your electrical system is potentially hazardous, with a risk of electrical shock or fire. Urgent repairs are needed to reduce this risk.
- C3 – Recommended Improvements: While not dangerous, improvements to the system are suggested. This code will not make your EICR unsatisfactory on its own but may indicate areas of concern that could affect your system’s long-term efficiency or safety.
- FI – Further Investigation Required: This code indicates that more in-depth analysis is needed to determine the cause of an issue. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the issue is severe, but it does indicate something requires further assessment.
What Does an Unsatisfactory EICR Mean?
An unsatisfactory EICR means that the inspection uncovered electrical issues that compromise the safety of your property’s electrical systems. The seriousness of the issues, including risks like electrical shock or fire hazards, will dictate how quickly these problems need to be addressed.
To obtain a satisfactory result, the necessary remedial work must be completed within the recommended timeframes:
- C1 faults (Immediate Danger) require immediate action to prevent harm.
- C2 faults (Potentially Dangerous) should be addressed within 28 days.
- C3 faults do not affect the EICR result but should be considered for future upgrades or improvements.
Once remedial work has been completed, your electrician will provide a written confirmation that the issues have been resolved. If you are a landlord, you must provide this documentation to your tenants and your local authority within 28 days of the repairs being completed to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
Will I Need Another EICR?
After your remedial work is carried out, the EICR result will be updated to satisfactory. Typically, you will not need another EICR inspection until the next scheduled check—usually every 5 years for homes and every 5 years or when tenants change for rental properties. However, if you decide to undertake further renovations or electrical work, you may require an additional inspection.
If you’re unsure about your next steps or have concerns about your property’s electrical system, it’s best to contact a qualified and registered electrician to discuss your options.
Why an Unsatisfactory EICR is a Serious Matter
While it may seem like a hassle to address an unsatisfactory EICR, it’s important to understand the risks involved. Electrical faults—whether from outdated wiring, faulty appliances, or other issues—can cause serious harm, including fires or electrical shocks. Addressing these problems promptly helps ensure the safety of your home, your tenants, or your business, while also ensuring compliance with legal standards, especially if you’re a landlord.
What Should You Do Next?
If your EICR comes back as unsatisfactory, here’s what you should do:
- Review the Report: Go through the EICR report with your electrician to understand the exact issues.
- Arrange for Repairs: Contact a qualified electrician to carry out the necessary remedial work.
- Document Repairs: Once the repairs are complete, ensure you get written confirmation of the work and share it with relevant parties (like tenants or local authorities, if applicable).
- Stay on Schedule: Make sure your next EICR inspection is scheduled on time to keep your property’s electrical systems in compliance.
Conclusion
An unsatisfactory EICR result means that the electrical system in your property has issues that could pose a risk to safety. It’s essential to take immediate action to address these issues, whether through repairs or further investigation. Once the necessary fixes are made, your system will be considered safe and compliant. Regular EICR inspections are a small investment in ensuring the long-term safety and efficiency of your property.
If your EICR result is unsatisfactory, or if you need to schedule your next inspection, our experienced team of qualified electricians is here to help. We can ensure your electrical systems are safe, compliant, and operating at peak performance. Contact us today to get started.
