How Often Should You Get an EICR for Your Commercial Property in London?
As a commercial property owner in London, ensuring the safety and functionality of your electrical installations is a vital part of protecting your business, employees, tenants, and clients. An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an essential tool in assessing the safety and condition of your electrical systems. But one common question many commercial property owners ask is: How often should I get an EICR for my property?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the frequency of EICR inspections for commercial properties in London, the regulations around them, and how they can help ensure the safety and operational efficiency of your electrical installations.
Table of Contents:
What is an EICR?
Why is an EICR Important for Your Commercial Property?
EICR and Legal Requirements in London
How Often Should You Get an EICR for Commercial Properties?
Factors That Affect the Frequency of EICR
What Happens If You Don’t Get an EICR?
EICR Categories: Understanding the Results
The Consequences of Non-Compliance for Businesses
How to Choose a Reliable EICR Provider in London
The Cost of EICR Inspections in London
How to Prepare for an EICR Inspection
What to Expect After an EICR Inspection
Final Thoughts: Protect Your Business with Regular EICRs
1. What is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an official report carried out by a qualified electrician to assess the condition of your electrical installations. The inspection is designed to check whether your electrical systems meet the required safety standards and if they are in good working condition.
The EICR checks several components, including:
Wiring and connections
Circuit breakers and fuse boards
Sockets and switches
Earthing and bonding systems
The report categorizes findings into three main categories:
C1 (Danger present): Immediate danger that needs fixing immediately.
C2 (Potentially dangerous): Issues that need to be addressed as soon as possible.
C3 (Improvement recommended): Issues that are not dangerous but could benefit from improvement.
2. Why is an EICR Important for Your Commercial Property?
For commercial properties, an EICR is more than just a recommendation—it’s a crucial aspect of ensuring the safety of your electrical installations. It helps identify potential hazards, ensuring that your electrical systems comply with the latest regulations and standards.
Here are a few key reasons why having an EICR is important:
Compliance with legal regulations: EICRs help you stay in line with safety laws and industry standards.
Identifying electrical hazards: Early detection of electrical faults can prevent accidents like electrical fires or shocks.
Improving operational efficiency: Ensures that electrical installations are in good working order, preventing downtime due to faulty electrical systems.
Insurance and liability: Having a valid EICR can help in protecting your business from insurance claims related to electrical issues.
3. EICR and Legal Requirements in London
In London, commercial property owners have legal obligations to ensure that their electrical installations are safe. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 mandates employers to take reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of employees, which includes maintaining a safe electrical system.
Further regulations include:
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: This law requires that all commercial properties must have their electrical installations checked for safety, and any issues must be addressed promptly.
Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020: Landlords of commercial properties are required to have their electrical installations inspected every 5 years and provide an EICR report to tenants.
By adhering to these regulations, commercial property owners can reduce the risk of electrical fires, accidents, and damage, while avoiding potential fines or legal issues.
For more on electrical safety regulations, visit the UK Government’s Electrical Safety Regulations for Commercial Properties.
4. How Often Should You Get an EICR for Commercial Properties?
The frequency of EICR inspections for commercial properties depends on various factors, such as the age of the property, the type of business, and how frequently electrical installations are used.
In general:
Every 5 years: For most commercial properties, it’s recommended that an EICR be conducted every 5 years. This applies to offices, retail stores, warehouses, and other low to medium-risk properties.
Every 3 years: If your business involves high-risk activities such as heavy machinery, food production, or the use of hazardous materials, it’s advised to conduct an EICR more frequently—every 3 years.
After major electrical work: Whenever there are substantial changes to the electrical system, such as upgrades or rewiring, an EICR should be carried out immediately after completion.
If your commercial property is a private rented sector property, an EICR is required every 5 years. If you’re unsure about the specifics, always consult with a professional for advice tailored to your property’s needs.
5. Factors That Affect the Frequency of EICR
Several factors can influence how often your commercial property needs an EICR:
Building Age: Older buildings may require more frequent inspections, as their electrical systems might be outdated or subject to more wear and tear.
Type of Business: High-usage businesses (such as factories, gyms, or restaurants) may need EICRs more often due to the frequent operation of electrical equipment.
Electrical System Condition: If an EICR identifies multiple issues that need to be addressed, more frequent inspections may be needed until the system is in good condition.
Changes in Regulations: New safety standards may require more regular checks or modifications to existing electrical systems.
Property Modifications: Significant changes to the layout or electrical system of your property, such as major rewiring or the addition of heavy machinery, will trigger the need for a new EICR.
6. What Happens If You Don’t Get an EICR?
Failing to conduct regular EICR inspections can lead to serious consequences for your business:
Legal Penalties: Non-compliance with electrical safety regulations can result in fines or legal actions.
Insurance Issues: If you fail to provide an up-to-date EICR when required, your business may face difficulties with insurance claims or even have coverage revoked.
Increased Risk of Electrical Fires: Faulty electrical systems are a major cause of fires in commercial buildings. Without an EICR, you may not identify wiring issues, overloaded circuits, or other hazards.
Employee Safety: Failure to maintain a safe electrical system puts your employees, tenants, and customers at risk of electrical shocks, fires, or equipment failure.
7. EICR Categories: Understanding the Results
Once your EICR is complete, you’ll receive a report that includes recommendations for any repairs or upgrades. The report will classify findings into three categories:
C1 – Danger Present: Immediate risks that require urgent attention. For example, exposed live wires or faulty grounding.
C2 – Potentially Dangerous: Issues that aren’t immediately dangerous but could become hazardous over time, such as overloaded circuits or outdated wiring.
C3 – Improvement Recommended: Issues that are not unsafe but could benefit from upgrading or improving for efficiency or safety.
Understanding these categories helps you prioritize repairs based on the severity of the issues.
8. The Consequences of Non-Compliance for Businesses
Ignoring the need for regular EICRs or failing to address electrical faults promptly can result in significant consequences:
Legal Liabilities: If an electrical fault causes harm, your business could face lawsuits, fines, or penalties for not adhering to safety regulations.
Business Disruption: Electrical failures can lead to downtime, which can disrupt your operations and hurt your bottom line.
Loss of Reputation: Non-compliance can harm your reputation, especially if electrical accidents or failures impact your customers or employees.
9. How to Choose a Reliable EICR Provider in London
When selecting a company to carry out your EICR inspection, it’s essential to hire a qualified and registered electrician. In London, look for providers that are part of official trade organizations such as:
NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting)
NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers)
These organizations ensure that electricians are qualified to perform inspections and follow current safety standards.
For trusted and professional EICR services in London, contact Norm Electrical Engineering at 020 8245 8400 or 0772 430 8998.
10. The Cost of EICR Inspections in London
The cost of an EICR depends on various factors such as the size of the property, the complexity of the electrical system, and the provider you choose. On average, for a small commercial property, an EICR inspection may cost between £150 to £300. Larger or more complex properties could cost more.
Though the initial cost of an EICR inspection may seem like an expense, it is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your electrical systems are safe and compliant with regulations.
11. How to Prepare for an EICR Inspection
Preparing for an EICR inspection can help streamline the process and ensure that everything goes smoothly:
Clear access to electrical installations: Ensure that areas such as fuse boxes, electrical panels, and wiring are easily accessible.
Provide building plans: If you have any recent changes or electrical work done, provide these to the inspector.
Communicate your concerns: If you’ve noticed specific issues or areas of concern, inform the inspector before the inspection begins.
12. What to Expect After an EICR Inspection
After the EICR inspection, you will receive a detailed report that outlines the condition of your electrical systems. The report will highlight any issues and categorize them as C1, C2, or C3. It will also include recommendations for any repairs or upgrades needed to bring your system up to standard.
13. Final Thoughts: Protect Your Business with Regular EICRs
An EICR inspection is an essential safety measure for any commercial property in London. By having regular inspections and addressing any issues promptly, you can ensure the safety, compliance, and efficiency of your electrical system.
If you haven’t had an EICR inspection recently, or if it’s time for your regular check, make sure to schedule one as soon as possible. Norm Electrical Engineering can assist with all your EICR needs. Contact us today at 020 8245 8400 or 0772 430 8998.
Don’t wait until it’s too late—ensure the safety and efficiency of your commercial property with a professional EICR inspection today.
