Consumer units
Condition, accessibility, circuit protection, labelling, enclosure integrity and suitability of protective devices.
Electrical inspection and testing
EICR & Electrical Safety Certificates
Professional Electrical Installation Condition Reports for landlords, homeowners, HMOs, managing agents and commercial premises across London and the South East.
What is an EICR?
A detailed assessment of your property's fixed electrical installation.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report, usually shortened to EICR, is produced after the fixed electrical installation has been inspected and tested by a competent electrical professional. It is also commonly referred to online as an Electrical Safety Certificate, an electrical inspection certificate or a fixed wire test.
The purpose of an EICR is to establish whether the installation is safe for continued use and to identify defects, deterioration, damage or non-compliances that may require further investigation or remedial work.
The inspection focuses on the permanent electrical installation rather than portable appliances. It can include consumer units, distribution boards, final circuits, sockets, lighting, protective devices, earthing, bonding and fixed electrical equipment forming part of the installation.
What we inspect
What is checked during an EICR?
The scope is agreed according to the property, installation and reason for the inspection. Accessible parts of the fixed wiring system are then visually examined and electrically tested.
Earthing and bonding
Earthing arrangements, protective conductors and main protective bonding are assessed as part of the safety inspection.
Circuits and accessories
Representative accessories, sockets, switches, lighting points and fixed equipment are inspected where accessible.
Electrical testing
Appropriate dead and live tests are carried out to assess circuit continuity, insulation, polarity and fault protection.
Defects and deterioration
Signs of overheating, damage, unsafe alterations, inadequate protection and other potential electrical hazards are recorded.
Digital EICR report
The completed report records test results, observations, classification codes and the overall outcome of the inspection.
Landlord electrical safety
EICRs for rented properties.
Landlords need clear, dependable electrical safety documentation for their properties. We provide EICRs for individual rental homes, portfolios, HMOs, managed blocks and communal areas.
In England, rented homes are generally required to have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years, or sooner where the previous report specifies an earlier date. The resulting report records whether the installation is satisfactory and identifies any investigative or remedial work required.
View landlord EICR services →Commercial fixed wire testing
Commercial EICRs planned around your premises.
Commercial electrical installations can contain multiple distribution boards, three-phase supplies, specialist equipment and circuits serving essential business operations. The inspection must therefore be planned around the building, occupancy and operational requirements.
We carry out commercial EICRs for offices, shops, restaurants, warehouses, schools, care settings, hospitality premises and other workplaces across London and the South East.
View commercial EICR services →EICR test procedure
What happens during an EICR inspection?
An EICR combines visual inspection, safe isolation, electrical testing, assessment of results and preparation of the final condition report.
Planning and scope
We confirm the property type, access arrangements, occupancy and any circuits or operational areas that require special planning.
Visual inspection
Accessible parts of the installation are checked for damage, deterioration, overheating, unsuitable equipment and unsafe alterations.
Dead and live testing
Circuits are isolated where required and appropriate test procedures are completed before live verification and protective-device testing.
Report and recommendations
Results are assessed, observations are classified and the digital EICR is issued with a satisfactory or unsatisfactory outcome.
Read the full EICR test procedure
Our dedicated guide explains the inspection sequence in greater detail, including visual checks, safe isolation, dead testing, live testing, sampling, classification codes and what happens after the report is issued.
View the EICR test procedureUnderstanding the result
EICR observation codes explained.
Observations are classified according to the level of electrical safety concern. The code helps explain whether immediate action, remedial work, further investigation or improvement is recommended.
C1 — Danger present
A dangerous condition presenting a risk of injury. Immediate action is required and the inspector may need to make the danger safe before leaving.
C2 — Potentially dangerous
A defect that may not present immediate danger but could become dangerous under fault conditions or reasonably foreseeable use.
FI — Further investigation
An issue that cannot be fully determined during the inspection and needs further investigation without delay to establish whether danger exists.
C3 — Improvement recommended
The installation could be improved, but the observation does not by itself make the EICR unsatisfactory or require remedial work for that outcome.
Clear quotations for the required remedial works.
An unsatisfactory report does not mean that the complete electrical installation needs replacing. It means that one or more observations require remedial action or further investigation before the installation can be regarded as satisfactory for continued use.
BIM Safety Group can review the report, explain each observation in plain language and provide a quotation for the work required. Once completed, the relevant electrical certification is issued for the remedial work.
View EICR remedial worksEICR questions
Frequently asked questions
Useful answers about Electrical Installation Condition Reports, Electrical Safety Certificates and the inspection process.
Is an EICR the same as an Electrical Safety Certificate?
Electrical Safety Certificate is a common search term used for an Electrical Installation Condition Report. The formal document produced after periodic inspection and testing is normally called an EICR.
How often should an EICR be carried out?
The recommended interval depends on the type and use of the installation, its condition and any previous report. Rented homes in England are generally required to be inspected at least every five years, or sooner where the previous report specifies an earlier date.
How long does an EICR take?
A typical domestic EICR often takes several hours. Larger homes, HMOs and commercial premises can take longer because there are more circuits, distribution boards and areas to inspect and test.
Will the electricity need to be switched off?
Yes. Parts of the installation normally need to be safely isolated while dead testing is carried out. We plan the inspection to reduce disruption and explain any required shutdowns before testing begins.
What makes an EICR unsatisfactory?
An EICR is normally recorded as unsatisfactory when the inspection identifies a C1, C2 or FI observation. C3 observations are recommendations for improvement and do not by themselves make the report unsatisfactory.
Can BIM Safety Group complete the remedial work?
Yes. We can review the observations, provide a clear quotation and complete the required electrical remedial works. Appropriate certification is issued for the work completed.
Book an EICR
Send us the property details.
Tell us the property type, location, number of bedrooms or approximate size, occupancy and whether the EICR is for a landlord, homeowner, managing agent or commercial business.
- Telephone: 0208 051 3843
- Email: info@bimsafetygroup.com
- Coverage: London and the South East
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Need an EICR or Electrical Safety Certificate?
Request a quotation for a domestic, landlord, HMO or commercial electrical inspection.