Planning and scope
The property type, occupancy, access arrangements, previous reports and any operational restrictions are confirmed.
Electrical inspection and testing
EICR test procedure.
What happens during an Electrical Installation Condition Report—from the initial visual inspection through to testing, classification codes and final reporting.
Understanding the inspection
A detailed assessment of the fixed installation.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is produced after the fixed electrical installation has been inspected and tested by a competent electrical professional.
The purpose is to establish whether the installation is safe for continued use and to identify deterioration, damage, defects or unsafe alterations that may require investigation or remedial work.
The inspection covers the permanent installation rather than portable appliances. It can include consumer units, distribution boards, final circuits, sockets, lighting, protective devices, earthing, bonding and fixed equipment.
Step by step
The EICR testing process.
The exact sequence depends on the property, access and circuit arrangements, but the inspection normally follows these stages.
Visual inspection
Accessible parts are checked for damage, deterioration, overheating, unsuitable equipment and unsafe alterations.
Safe isolation
Circuits are safely isolated before dead testing. Sensitive equipment may need to be shut down first.
Dead testing
Tests can include conductor continuity, ring-final continuity, insulation resistance and polarity.
Live testing
Live verification can include loop impedance, RCD testing, fault current and functional checks.
Final report
Results are assessed, observations are classified and the final EICR is prepared and issued.
Before instruments are connected
The visual inspection.
Visual inspection often identifies defects before electrical testing begins and guides the extent of further examination.
Consumer units
Enclosures, protective devices, circuit identification and signs of overheating or damage are examined.
Earthing and bonding
The presence and condition of the earthing conductor and protective bonding are checked.
Accessories
Sockets, switches and lighting accessories are checked for damage, looseness and heat damage.
Wiring condition
Accessible wiring is inspected for deterioration, poor support and mechanical damage.
External influences
Equipment is assessed for exposure to moisture, heat, impact, dust and other conditions.
Previous work
Alterations and additions are examined for incorrect installation or unsuitable protection.
Electrical test sequence
Dead testing and live testing.
Testing confirms whether conductors, insulation and protective devices can operate safely and as intended.
Circuits isolated
Dead testing.
- Continuity of protective conductors
- Ring-final circuit continuity
- Insulation resistance
- Polarity
- Verification of circuit arrangements
Installation energised
Live testing.
- Earth fault loop impedance
- RCD operating times
- Prospective fault current
- Supply polarity
- Functional testing
Understanding the result
EICR observation codes explained.
The classification code indicates the level of safety concern and the action required.
C1 — Danger present
An immediate risk of injury. Immediate action is required to remove or isolate the danger.
C2 — Potentially dangerous
A defect that could become dangerous under fault conditions or foreseeable use.
FI — Further investigation
An issue requiring further investigation without delay because safety cannot be confirmed.
C3 — Improvement recommended
An improvement is recommended, but this code alone does not make the report unsatisfactory.
Unsatisfactory reports
When is an EICR unsatisfactory?
A report containing a C1, C2 or FI observation will normally be assessed as unsatisfactory. C3 observations alone do not normally make the report unsatisfactory.
View EICR remedial worksAccess and disruption
Does the power need to be turned off?
Yes. Safe isolation is an essential part of the procedure. Individual circuits normally need to be switched off so dead tests can be completed safely and accurately.
Where practical, interruptions are managed circuit by circuit. Some properties may experience periods where the entire installation is without power.
Computers, alarms, internet equipment, heating controls, refrigeration and other sensitive equipment should be considered before testing starts.
Inspection duration
How long does an EICR take?
Every installation is different. These are broad guides rather than fixed appointment times.
Small property
Studio or one-bedroom flat
1.5–3 hoursA guide where access is straightforward and the installation is reasonably documented.
Medium property
Two or three-bedroom home
2–5 hoursTime varies according to circuit quantity, access and installation condition.
Larger installation
Large homes and commercial premises
4+ hoursLarger or operational premises may require phased testing or additional visits.
After the inspection
What happens when testing is complete?
The engineer reviews the observations and test results before completing the Electrical Installation Condition Report.
A satisfactory report confirms that no defects have been identified which make the installation unsatisfactory for continued use at the time of inspection.
Where the report is unsatisfactory, the observations and required remedial work or further investigation should be identified clearly.
EICR questions
Frequently asked questions
Useful answers about the testing procedure, power interruptions, coding and completed reports.
What happens during an EICR?
An EICR combines visual inspection, safe isolation, appropriate dead and live electrical testing, assessment of the results and preparation of the final Electrical Installation Condition Report.
Does the electricity need to be turned off?
Yes. Parts of the installation normally need to be safely isolated while dead testing is completed. Testing is planned to reduce disruption wherever practical.
How long does an EICR take?
The time depends on the size, condition and complexity of the installation. A small flat may take several hours, while larger homes, HMOs and commercial premises can take considerably longer.
Can I stay in the property during the inspection?
Usually yes, although the engineer needs access to the consumer unit, sockets, switches, lighting points and other accessible parts of the fixed installation.
Are portable appliances included?
No. An EICR examines the fixed electrical installation. Portable appliances require separate portable appliance testing where appropriate.
What do C1, C2, C3 and FI mean?
C1 means danger is present, C2 means potentially dangerous, C3 means improvement is recommended and FI means further investigation is required without delay.
Can an older consumer unit still be satisfactory?
Age alone does not determine the outcome. The condition, protective devices, enclosure, earthing arrangements and suitability of the equipment are considered.
What happens if defects are found?
The defects are recorded with the appropriate classification codes. Where the report is unsatisfactory, remedial work or further investigation is required.
Can the report be verified?
Where an EICR has been registered with The Electrical Safety Council Ltd, its recorded details may be checked through the TESC public EICR register.
Book an EICR
Send us the property details.
Tell us the property type, location, size, occupancy and whether the inspection is for a landlord, homeowner, managing agent or commercial business.
- Telephone: 0208 051 3843
- Email: info@bimsafetygroup.com
- Coverage: London and the South East
Request a booking
Send the job details below and our team will get back to you.
Need an Electrical Installation Condition Report?
Request a quotation for a domestic, landlord, HMO or commercial EICR.