Electrical testing is a vital tool to ensure the safety of your family and home. Although not a legal requirement for homeowners, testing and inspection can bring peace of mind and ensure that any potential issues are spotted early and rectified.
An Electrical Inspection Condition Report (EICR) provides a detailed inspection of your property’s electrical systems. Any faults will be identified and classified as to their urgency.
Homeowners, business owners, and landlords alike should be having their electrical systems periodically inspected, but the rules surrounding this vary:
Homeowners
Although not a mandatory requirement, it is recommended that an electrical test is conducted every 10 years.
Businesses
Legislation states that employers should have their systems checked every 5 years.
Landlords
As of 01/07/2020, landlords need to have a new EICR before each new tenancy begins. It is recommended that no more than 5 years elapse between each test where a tenant stays in place.
You can only obtain a Certificate of Safety once your systems have been checked and passed. If issues are detected, they are recorded under 3 codes:
C1 – Meaning that danger is present and immediate action is required
C2 – Remedial action is required urgently for potentially dangerous issues
C3 – Improvements are recommended
The presence of a C1 or C2 means that a Certificate of Safety can not be issued. The faults highlighted would need to be rectified beforehand as they would pose a significant risk.
In between these periodic tests, our trained electricians are also able to carry out a visual check of your electrical systems. Looking for damaged sockets, light switches, and cables, the residual current device (RCD) will also be inspected for any issues.
Identifying these early means a safer home or safer place of work.