Electrical installation documentation: an EICR and EIC 'explainer'
It’s important to distinguish between two statutory electrical safety inspection and certification documents required for UK social or private residential providers. Whilst technical terminology relating to separate certification requirements appears similar, there are important conditions under which these documents must be provided. We hope that our brief ‘explainer’ can help provide a clear understanding of the documentation required by landlords and occupiers.
Statutory UK requirements for electrical safety inspection documentation falls into two categories:
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is periodically required to record and certify the safe functional condition, or otherwise, of an electrical installation within a property.
Every five years, BS 7671 requirements mean that a rented residential property’s electrical supply and distribution system for lighting, heating, cooking, emergency services (such as emergency lighting and fire alarms), solar photovoltaic panels, and electric vehicle charging must be inspected and certified as either satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
Each EICR report is a record of evidence noting the condition of the electrical installation at the time of the inspection, and it is a legally binding document for landlords. Each EICR document is a key component of safety risk management for both landlords and occupiers.
Periodic inspection of an electrical installation will also observe, record, and photograph any unsatisfactory conditions. Unsatisfactory conditions are noted as C1 danger, C2 potentially dangerous, or FI requiring further investigation. The C1 category is particularly important as it indicates that anyone using the electrical installation is at immediate risk and, ideally, the competent person carrying out the inspection should make the installation safe at the point of discovery. If the competent person does rectify a C1 observation in real time, s/he is empowered to re-inspect and record a satisfactory status for the EICR.
It’s important to note that when an EICR certificate has been verified and signed off by a qualified supervisor (QS) it cannot be amended, unless a genuine mistake can be evidenced. In all other circumstances once an EICR document is signed off by a qualified supervisor, its status as a final record of safety compliance is absolute.
Where the EICR indicates a satisfactory condition, responsible persons within the landlord organisation should update their asset registers and evidence to stakeholders and occupiers that the property is safe and compliant with UK statutory requirements.
But if your property’s EICR document identifies unsatisfactory conditions for further use, more investigation and repairs are necessary. Which is where the Electrical Installation Certificate comes into play.
An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is provided following any works for and re-inspection of new or significantly modified electrical installations. Significant modifications include remedial repairs actioned as a result of unsatisfactory observations noted in a previous EICR.
Remedial works to a property’s electrical installation can only be certified by an EIC - often used when fuse boxes, distribution boards or consumer units have been replaced. Minor Works and Multiple Minor Works certificates can also record the satisfactory completion of remedial electrical repairs. These safety certifications provide evidence for responsible persons and occupiers that the property’s electrical installation is now satisfactory. Any such certificates, and their certificate numbers, should be noted and stored in landlord-held asset management systems.
Finally, it’s worth noting that an EICR deemed ‘unsatisfactory’ combined with an EIC or Minor Works Certificate confirming the remediation of defects identified in the EICR, provides sufficient evidence that the property’s electrical installation is safe for further use. For many landlords, the combination of both documents is sufficient, although some organisations may prefer to commission a new EICR so as to obtain a satisfactory observation.
Thanks for reading. We welcome comments, feedback and suggestions for future safety compliance topics.