Have you been asked to show your Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) but aren’t sure what it is? In this post we’ll break down what are EICRs, why you need one and how to get one.
What are Electrical Installation Condition Reports?
Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) are the formal documents provided following inspections and testing of electrical installations of businesses and residential properties. They reflect the overall health of electrical systems, broadly covering wiring and electrical components (such as switches and sockets), fuse boards, RCDs, earthing and bonding and any damages, hazards, deterioration or possible non-compliance issues.
What Are EICR For?
EICR’s demonstrate compliance for businesses, rental properties and any new builds or major renovations, and are often required by insurers to prove current compliance with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and the National Rules for Electrical Installation as mandated by the Health and Safety Authority. All works and reports for the ECIR must be carried out and issued by a registered electrician or registered electrical contractor.
Detailing Electrical Issues
Depending on the business or residence, ECIRs are recommended or required every 10 years (for private residences), 5 years for rental and commercial properties, or after any change in occupancy or major building works. The reports will provide detailed observations and classifications of any issues found in the electrical systems and note if they require immediate attention or dangers, potential issues or any improvements and upgrades needed to meet safety compliance. Based upon the reports, the electrical installations will be deemed satisfactory or unsatisfactory, and if unsatisfactory, necessary action can be taken to remedy any issues for compliance.
EICR Maintenance Schedule for Commercial and Residential
It is important to follow a recommended maintenance schedule for ECIR, as they are essential to keeping electrical installations safe for businesses and residences, demonstrating compliance with health and safety and electrical regulations, in addition to being able to monitor the health and longevity of electrical systems. Likewise, although ECIRs are not required for privately owned residences (unless being rented or sold), they can be particularly useful when purchasing a home, after any kind of structural damage or renovations, if a home is having electrical issues (flickering, outages, etc.) or if the building is over thirty years old, as they can provide detailed insights for decisions on immediate upgrades or future works for the safety of the home.
Get Your Electrical Installation Condition Report
If you need to get an EICR then you’re in the right place. Our team of experienced electricians can do the required testing, paperwork – and if needed remedial work – to ensure you are compliant with EICR requirements and ensure your premises are safe. Give us a call now on 01-9602636 or contact us online to find out more about our EICR service.
If you found this post helpful make sure you check out our post about PAT Testing for Irish Hotels.
