How Often Does a Commercial Building Need an EICR?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the periodic inspection and test of a building's fixed wiring. It checks that circuits, distribution boards, earthing and protective devices are still safe, and it records anything that has deteriorated or no longer meets the current wiring regulations, BS 7671.

Is an EICR a legal requirement?

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require employers and anyone in control of a non-domestic building to keep electrical systems maintained so they don't cause danger. The law doesn't set a fixed date, but a current EICR is the accepted way to show you've done it, and insurers, auditors and FM clients will usually ask for one.

Recommended intervals by building type

The IET's Guidance Note 3 sets maximum intervals between inspections. Typical figures are:

• Offices, shops and other commercial premises: every 5 years
• Schools, colleges and other educational buildings: every 5 years
• Industrial units and warehouses: every 3 years
• Swimming pools and places of public entertainment: every year

These are maximums. The inspector can recommend a shorter interval if the installation is old, heavily used or in a harsh environment.

What the codes on the report mean

• C1: danger present. Needs making safe immediately.
• C2: potentially dangerous. Needs urgent remedial work.
• C3: improvement recommended. Not dangerous, but worth planning in.
• FI: further investigation needed before the condition can be confirmed.

Any C1, C2 or FI makes the report unsatisfactory. The building isn't compliant until those items are fixed and you have the certificates to show it.

Keeping disruption down

Testing means switching circuits off, so it needs planning around occupants. On live sites we usually test out of hours or in phases, and we quote remedial work from the report so it can go straight onto your planned maintenance programme.