EICR Testing for Your Business

Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) — sometimes called periodic inspection reports — are one of those compliance requirements that tend to get pushed down the priority list until something goes wrong. For commercial premises and landlords, that’s a risk that carries real consequences.
At Datel Electrical, we carry out EICRs across commercial, industrial, and residential properties throughout Devon. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is an EICR?

An EICR is a formal assessment of the condition and safety of the electrical installation in a building. A qualified electrician inspects the fixed wiring (cables, consumer units, distribution boards, sockets, switches, and earthing arrangements), tests the installation against current standards, and produces a report identifying any defects, deficiencies, or safety concerns.
Defects are categorised as C1 (danger present — requires immediate attention), C2 (potentially dangerous — requires urgent attention), or C3 (improvement recommended, but not immediately dangerous). A satisfactory EICR — meaning no C1 or C2 items — is required for the report to be passed.

Who Needs an EICR?

The legal requirements vary by property type:

• Rental properties (domestic): EICR required every 5 years, or on change of tenancy. Mandatory since 2020 for private landlords in England.
• Commercial premises: No single fixed legal interval, but Health and Safety legislation requires electrical installations to be maintained in a safe condition. Most commercial properties should be inspected every 5 years; higher-risk environments (factories, workshops, agricultural) may need more frequent testing.
• HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation): EICR required every 5 years — often a licensing condition.

Beyond legal obligation, insurance validity is a practical concern. Many commercial insurers require evidence of recent EICR testing, and a claim following an electrical fire in a property with no recent inspection record can face complications.

What Happens If Issues Are Found?

A C1 defect requires the electrical supply to be isolated until the issue is resolved — this is a safety issue that cannot wait. C2 defects should be rectified within 28 days (the same timescale applies to rental properties as a legal requirement for landlords). C3 recommendations don’t require immediate action but should be addressed in due course.
Following remedial work, a re-inspection confirms the installation has been brought up to standard.

How Long Does an EICR Take?

For a typical commercial premises, expect a full day’s inspection — though this varies significantly with the size and complexity of the installation. Larger industrial facilities or those with complex electrical systems may require multiple days. We’ll give you a realistic estimate before starting.

Book Your EICR with Datel

Datel Electrical carries out EICRs across Devon for commercial, industrial, and residential properties. Our team are NICEIC qualified, experienced across a wide range of property types, and will give you a clear, jargon-free report with practical guidance on any remedial work required.

Contact us today to arrange your inspection.