Commercial Property EICR Requirements Explained

If you’re the owner or manager of a commercial property, EICR can seem like yet another thankless task to add to your list. In fact, it’s one of the most important responsibilities for your business and everyone on-site – and can actually make your life a lot easier in the long run.

That said, we understand how managing a property can feel like a balancing act. To make things simpler, we’ve outlined your commercial EICR requirements below…

EICR – commercial property check

The first thing you’ll need to know is whether your commercial property is legally obliged to obtain an electrical installation condition report (EICR). From April 2021, for example, all landlords are required to have an EICR every five years for both new and existing tenancies.

So, what about commercial properties? The answer is simple – all of them require an EICR to ensure their electrical installation is safe and fully functional. Unlike ESOS and SECR, there’s no threshold for turnover or workforce size.

While it’s not a direct legal requirement, an up-to-date EICR demonstrates that you’ve complied with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and Electricity and Work Regulations (1989) – by keeping your premises safe for employees, customers and other visitors.

Failure to do so can leave you liable for any damage caused by a faulty electrical installation. That could be damage to a tenant’s stock or equipment in a fire, or physical harm from an electrical shock.

The legal implications of not having an up-to-date EICR

Failing to maintain an up-to-date EICR can lead to serious legal repercussions for commercial property owners. The Heath and Safety at Work Act and Electricity and Work Regulations place a duty on employers and property managers to keep all electrical systems maintained and safe.

Ignoring these responsibilities can result in hefty fines, legal action and even imprisonment in severe cases where negligence leads to injury or death.

Beyond the legal framework, insurance policies often require evidence of regular electrical inspections. Without a valid EICR, you may find your claims rejected in the event of an electrical fire or other related incidents. As a result, your business could be financially vulnerable, adding to the importance of regular EICRs.

Failure to do so can leave you liable for any damage caused by a faulty electrical installation. That could be damage to a tenant’s stock or equipment in a fire, or physical harm from an electrical shock.

Commercial EICR requirements

Now onto the requirements for EICR…

Arranging the report

The report itself is a comprehensive check of a building’s electrical installation in line with BS 7671 standards. It needs to be completed by someone who is ‘qualified and competent’. While this is something of a grey area, there are a few things you can look for to make sure you find the right contractor:

• Experience – Check reviews, partnerships and how long they’ve been performing EICRs.
• Knowledge – Make sure they have an in-depth understanding of BS 7671, Electricity at Work (1989) and Health and Safety at Work (1974).
• Accreditation – NICEIC and the Electrical Safety Register are good to look out for.

Detailed inspection process

Understanding the EICR process can help cut the confusion and emphasise its importance. So, what typically happens during an inspection? Let’s take a look.

1. Initial assessment – A qualified electrician begins the inspection by reviewing previous records available and understanding the layout and history of the electrical installation within your commercial property.
2. Visual inspection – They check for obvious visual evidence of damage or wear, such as exposed wiring, damaged conduits and signs of overheating.
3. Testing – The electrician will use specialised equipment to test the integrity of circuits and connections. These tests will include continuity, insulation resistance, polarity and earth fault loop impedance.
4. Documentation – Each circuit is carefully documented, noting any discrepancies with current BS 7671 standards.
5. Reporting – Finally, the findings are compiled into a detailed report, categorising issues as C1, C2, C3 or FI, with clear recommendations for action.

Carrying out repairs

Your report will highlight any issues as C1, C2, C3 and FI. Here’s what’s required for each of those codes, along with some examples:

• C1 – Immediate action. These are issues that pose an immediate danger and require urgent attention. For example, exposed live wires, severely damaged cables or overloaded circuits that are at risk of causing electrical shocks or fires.
• C2 – Urgent action. While not posing an immediate danger, these are problems that could become serious if not addressed quickly. Examples include loose connections in a distribution board or overheating components that could degrade over time.
• C3 – Improvements recommended. These are not considered dangers at the time of inspection, but changes that could improve the safety and efficiency of an installation. This could be outdated wiring that doesn’t meet current standards or installing additional protective devices such as RCDs (residual current devices).
• FI – Further investigation required. Some findings may need additional investigation to identify the exact nature of the issue. For example, an intermittent fault that isn’t present at the time of inspection or an inaccessible part of the system will require more thorough examination.

As well as arranging the report, it’s your responsibility to arrange the necessary repairs to ensure your EICR is satisfactory. In many cases, the contractor who carried out the report will be able to take care of repairs too.

Keeping up to date

Finally, you’ll need to stay up to date with your EICR requirements. Your inspector will recommend a suitable frequency when carrying out the report. To stay safe and compliant, you should heed their advice and arrange a report within the suggested timeframe.

Technology in EICRs

Modern technology continues to make the EICR process more efficient and accurate. For instance, thermal imaging cameras can detect hotspots that aren’t visible to the naked eye, indicating potential issues like overloaded circuits or loose connections. These advanced diagnostic tools also allow for more comprehensive testing, meaning that subtle faults are identified and addressed far more quickly and easily.

Top tips for EICR compliance

Schedule inspections regularly – To keep your property and people safe, regular EICRs are essential. More frequent inspections will help you identify potential issues faster and resolve them more easily.

Choose the right contractor – EICRs must be conducted by a qualified and competent contractor with specific training in electrical inspections. Choose a contractor that’s qualified, experienced and accredited to carry out EICRs.

Act on recommendations – Inspections are only a small part of EICR process. You must also take immediate action on critical issues and plan for any remedial work required.

Keep records – Remember to keep records of all EICRs and repairs for legal and insurance purposes.

The commercial EICR specialists you can trust

When it comes to EICR, commercial property owners and managers don’t need to stress. Volta Compliance can make things easy with a thorough visual and physical inspection of your installation. From fault codes and repairs to your next inspection, we’ll explain everything clearly so you can make informed decisions to keep your commercial property safe and compliant.

Find out more about our commercial EICR services online or call us on 0113 436 0402 to arrange an inspection.