Whether it is a domestic home or a business property, electrical testing is an essential process for preventing hazards which could result in electric shock or a fire. This is normally done via an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) which provides documented evidence that suitable testing has taken place, for compliance purposes, but also identifies any faults in the installation and recommends how they should be resolved.
Owner-occupied domestic homes have no legal requirement to undertake an EICR, but for safety reasons it is recommended to do this once every ten years. However, business properties and rental properties should undertake an EICR once every five years. In any of these situations, it is important to understand what an EICR involves and what you need to do to prepare a property and ensure the EICR proceeds safely and effectively.
What does an EICR involve?
In order to carry out an EICR, a competent electrical tester will require good access to the main consumer units used in the property, along with a range of sockets, switches and light fittings. The testing process will involve:
- Briefing and preparation – A short discussion to outline any concerns within the installation, or any issues found previously, and to agree how access and isolation will be managed during the EICR process.
- Visual inspection – Checking for obvious signs of wear and tear or damage.
- Tests with power off – Testing which requires no power, such as continuity and insulation resistance.
- Tests with power on – Testing which requires live power, such as polarity, earth fault loop impedance and RCD testing.
- Checking consumer units – Testing the consumer unit for protective devices, ratings, RCD coverage and overall condition.
- Results – The tester will record the results, classify faults found and then prepare the EICR report and go through this with the client.
A basic EICR will take around half a day to complete, depending on the size and complexity of the installation. Any remedial work that is required or recommended following the inspection will be discussed at the end of the process.
Preparing a property for an EICR
Whether you are a business owner, a landlord or a domestic homeowner, preparing a property for an EICR visit will make it go much faster, safer and with less disruption. For a business owner particularly, it can be essential for productivity and managing efficient business operations that power is not lost for longer than necessary, or that suitable contingency plans are in place to minimise this disruption. So, preparation is key to this:
- Inform – Inform all the people impacted by the EICR that the visit and testing will be taking place and what it involves. So this could be all employees of a business, or all tenants in a rental property.
- Access – Ensure the electrical tester has clear access to the consumer unit and meter.
- Sample points – Ensure sufficient sample points are accessible, such as sockets and switches. This might require moving furniture, units or equipment.
- Issues – Make a list of issues or concerns you have, such as sockets tripping, lights flickering, burning smells or heat being felt in some areas. These can be discussed prior to testing and may make identifying issues quicker and easier.
- Paperwork – Have copies of previous EICRs available for inspection, including details of associated remedial work. You should also make circuit diagrams and schedules available. This all gives the tester more knowledge and a good idea of what to expect.
- Power loss – Prepare people, equipment and processes for any loss of power, so that the impacts are minimised.
Carrying out an EICR on a domestic or business property using specialist test equipment, satisfies compliance requirements, and provides peace of mind that electrical safety is verified or that faults have been identified with a plan to resolve them.
Please note that this section is for information purposes only. Anyone using equipment referred to in this section must be suitably qualified and/or experienced within the respective field. If in doubt before use, please consult a qualified electrician or engineer & thoroughly read all instruction booklets.