An Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR for short, is also known as an Electrical Safety Report.
It is a thorough inspection and testing of the fixed electrical installation in your Bristol property, and it is performed by a registered electrician. Carried out at regular intervals, an EICR helps to keep you and your property safe from the dangers of faulty electrics. Allied Electrical Services provide full electrical testing services, including EICR’s, to homeowners, landlords and businesses across Bristol. Our experienced electricians are here to explain exactly what an electrical installation condition report entails.
Do I need an EICR for my own home?
This is a question we are frequently asked at Allied Electrical Services Bristol. Whilst it is not a legal requirement for a homeowner to have an in date electrical installation condition report, it is highly recommended for your continued safety. Much of your homes electrical installation is concealed from view, this makes it hard to tell if anything is going wrong. An EICR inspection by a qualified electrician is the only way to be certain that your electrics are safe. There are some indicators that your electrical equipment is outdated and would benefit from an electrician’s expert opinion. These would each indicate that your electrical installation is older and that an EICR would be advised:
- Fuse Box with removable fuses, a wooden back or a variety of fuse boxes.
- Braided electrical flex on lighting fixtures.
- Sockets mounted into skirting boards.
- Electrical cabling with black rubber, lead or fabric coating.
Brown or black switches
You should also call in an electrician if you are experiencing problems with your electrics. Flickering lights, faulty sockets, or a tripping fuse box can all indicate problems with your wiring. Our experienced electricians at Allied Electrical Services are always happy to offer our advice to the people of Bristol. If have any concerns, please call us.
How often do I need an EICR?
Legally a landlord requires an EICR to be carried out every 5 years at their tenanted properties. You must also ensure an in date EICR is in place before a change of tenancy takes place. For homeowners it is recommended that an EICR inspection is performed once every 10 years. An EICR should also be considered when you are moving into a new home or planning major renovations. This will ensure there are no issues, or potentially expensive faults, to discover later. An EICR electrical safety inspection must be performed by a registered, competent person – a qualified electrician. Allied Electrical Services are NICEIC registered, qualified electricians providing electrical testing services, including EICR, in Bristol.
What does an EICR show?
The electrical safety report from your Bristol property will advise you of the condition of your electrical system. It will detail any hazards found or if there are areas requiring improvement. During the EICR inspection your electrician will make observations about your circuitry and will assign each observation a specific code.
- Code C1 denotes Immediate action required and that there is danger present. Your electrician may need to rectify the problem before they leave your property.
- Code C2 means Urgent action required with potential danger to life. Work will need to be completed within a fixed time frame, generally no more than 28 days.
- Code C3 stands for Improvement recommended and provides you with useful warning that an area of your electrics will soon need work.
Your electrician can provide you with advice and an estimate for any works necessary alongside your copy of the EICR.
If you have any questions about EICR’s please don’t hesitate to contact us at Allied Electrical Services. We are fully qualified, NICEIC registered electricians, and come highly recommended. To arrange an Electrical Installation Condition Report for your Bristol property, contact us today.
