Are you ready to pay a fine of up to £30,000? EICR breaches often lead to landlords paying through the nose and learning about the legalities around it. Wondering if there is a way to escape that dreaded fate? Of course, there is, and it’s through fixed wire testing, popularly referred to as EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report).
The most common question among landlords and businesses is, who is responsible for conducting the test? Keep reading to find out.
Knowing About EICR Properties
This test and consequent report summarise how safe the electrical equipment of domestic and commercial properties is. It involves an assessment of electrical items and the damages, defects, and deterioration they may have. If you are concerned about your building’s occupants and safety, an EICR is mandatory.
Although the current legislation stresses its importance, we believe it’s more about the safety of occupants living and working within domestic and commercial premises than the law itself. The risks of fire breakouts and electrocution are high in the absence of this assessment. In simple words, there is no place for negligence and lack of electrical maintenance with an EICR carried out.
What Does an EICR Involve?
From testing insulation resistance and continuity of protective conductors to examining earth fault loop impedance, an EICR inspection covers everything. On booking engineers specialising in it, they reach the specified premise and run appliance checks while testing electrical installations in London to ensure faults with casings, sockets, and electrics are nil. Confused by the jargon? In simple terms, an EICR ensures electricity is not escaping from anywhere. Professional electricians cause little disruption to one’s day-to-day operations, and the engineer count depends on the nature of the business.
Who is Responsible for Checking the Condition of Electrical Installations in London?
Finally, the question of responsibility. Business owners must safeguard the health of employees and ensure their safety. Bound by law, they conduct EICR tests across London to maintain the welfare of their workforce. Commercial landlords are another group with a legal duty of care towards tenants. No matter who undertakes the responsibility, the test ensures the safety of occupants and carries out electrical repairs the moment damages are spotted.
Only qualified engineers perform an EICR test. They are adequately trained to understand the correct procedures and survey properties. To simplify things, EICR is the responsibility of landlords before they let in tenants and then, becomes the duty of electrical engineers when their services are hired. Again, if any flaw is traced that could result in potential dangers, the property owner has to arrange for amendments to mitigate the risks of future hazards.
Here is a recap of the points discussed above:
- Landlords in Woodford and London are legally entitled to stand up to the expectations of the electrical safety standards of the homes they own. It’s their responsibility to generate EICR reports every five years or whenever there is a change in tenancy.
- Commercial entities also play their roles in maintaining electrical safety within facilities. Regarding frequency, it depends on the type of business and the electrical hazards they usually encounter.
- Homeowners are not bound by law to conduct an EICR test, but we advise all to do so for the durability and protection of electrical systems.
Contact the Go-To Maintenance Engineers of Sheaworks Ltd. for an EICR Test!
Sheaworks Ltd., with 10 years of experience in electrical installations in London, ensures the safety of electrical equipment in domestic and commercial properties. Our attention to detail and fast turnaround times set us apart. An added advantage is that we are governed by NICEIC. As approved contractors, we provide excellent service, classifying defects as C1, C2, C3, and C4, implying the presence of danger, potential danger, need for improvement, and further investigation. Get in touch with our team and book your EICR today.
