Fixed Wiring Testing
 
Electrical Installation Condition Report (aka "Periodic Inspection Report / Fixed Wiring Testing")
 
In 2012 the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) was introduced to replace the Periodic Inspection Report. Each year we carry out over a thousand inspection and tests on existing electrical installations.
 
Fixed Wiring Testing is another name for the type of testing involved in the Electrical Installation Condition Report and we are frequently asked about Fixed Wiring Testing so we've added some detailed information below.
Why Carry Out Fixed Wiring Testing?
Fixed Wiring Testing is a popular phrase used to describe an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) new name from 2012 and formerly called Periodic Inspection Report. The reason for carrying out condition reports of electrical installations is to determine the current condition of electrical systems in terms of design and safety.
 
This is to ensure compliance with current electrical wiring regulations - by identifying failures or defects and making appropriate recommendations via a periodic inspection report.
 
We like to compare it to an MOT for a vehicle.
What Does Fixed Wiring Testing Involve?
Put simply, An EICR is based on the condition of the electrical wiring, circuits, accessories and connections and is based on Inspecting and Testing the entire electrical system within your home,premises etc.
 
Each circuit's cable and accessories e.g. sockets, light switches, light fittings etc., will be inspected for visual damage. wear and tear etc. Then the wiring of each circuit will undergo a series of tests to make sure the wiring is safe and that the circuit is wired correctly.
 
The EICR will also determine if items such as earthing, bonding and incoming supply is sufficient. All this data will be contained in the EICR we forward to clients. 

If there are any faults found during the test they are given codes C1,C2, or C3, if a C1, or C2 code is given it would mean the installation is in an unsatisfactory condition. Code C1 faults require urgent attention - danger present, code C2 faults require attention - potential danger, code C3 faults are an improvment recommended. 

For domestic premises the inspection and test can take anything from 2 hours to a full day depending on the size of the property and the number of electrical circuits to be inspected and tested. Stirling Electrical Services pride ourselves on carrying out a thorough inspection and test as this is what is required of us, but please be aware of companies and individuals carrying out EICR's quicker by not carrying out a thorough inspection and not undertaking all the required testing. For commercial properties there are many variables that determine the timescale required to undertake a EICR but our job booking team will be able to give you a good indication when you call us.

Electricity within your premises will be limited while the testing is carried out and at some point we will require to switch off the electricity to your fusebox/consumer unit/distribution board so we can inspect and test those units and also test your main incoming earth.
Why Is Regular Testing Necessary?
By carrying out testing and inspection at regular intervals, deficiencies in your electrical systems can be identified and dealt with immediately, meaning that a problem does not persist undetected which may eventually result in fire or injury.
 
Any electrical installations will deteriorate with age and it is paramount that systems are maintained appropriately to safeguard households, tenants, members of staff and premises. The EICR will examine and evaluate not only the deterioration of the installation, but also its safety.
 
Legislation requires that electrical installations are kept in a safe condition. If regular inspection and testing is neglected - those responsible may be prosecuted under health and safety law, the lives of workforce/tenants are put at unnecessary risk, and insurance claims may be invalidated.
No electrical installation, no matter how carefully designed and erected, can be expected to last forever. Deterioration will take place due to age as well as due to normal wear and tear. With this in mind, the Regulations require regular inspection and testing to take place so that the installation can be maintained in a good and a safe condition. It is now a requirement of the Regulations that the installation user should be informed of the need for periodic testing, and the date on which the next test is due. A notice, fixed at or near the origin of the installation, must state the required intervals between periodic inspections and tests.
 
Accessories, switchgear etc should be carefully examined for signs of overheating. Structural changes may have impaired the safety of an installation, as may have changes in the use of space. The use of extension leads must be discouraged, if only because of the relatively high loop impedance they introduce.
How Often Is Testing Required?
Legislation requires fixed wiring testing be carried out every one to five years in most work places. In compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989, all work activities and rented accommodation must take precautions to avoid the risk of death or personal injury. Electrical Wiring Regulations also suggest time intervals for various electrical installations and these are listed at the foot of this page.
 
It is important to appreciate that the regular inspection and testing of all electrical installations is a requirement of the Electricity at Work Regulations. The time interval concerned will, of course, depend on the type of installation and on the way in which it is used. The table below shows the BS7671 recommended intervals between periodic tests and inspections.
 
BS7671 Electrical Regulations - Recommended intervals between periodic tests and inspections
Type of installation - Maximum period between inspections and testing
  • Domestic premises (general) = 10 years/Change of Occupancy
  • Domestic premises (rented houses and flats) = 5 years/Change of Occupancy
  • Residential accommodation (HMO, halls of residence, nurses accommodation etc) = 5 years/Change of Occupancy (some local authorities ask for HMO properties to be tested every 3-4 years)
  • Commercial premises = 5 years/Change of Occupancy
  • Educational establishments = 5 years
  • Industrial premises = 3 years
  • Offices = 5 years
  • Shops = 5 years
  • Laboratories = 5 years
  • Hospitals and medical clinics (general areas) = 5 years
  • Hospitals and medical clinics (medical locations) = 1 year
  • Cinemas = 1-3 years (local authorities license should stipulate frequency)
  • Churches = 5 years
  • Leisure complexes (excluding swimming pools) = 3 years
  • Places of public entertainment = 3 years
  • Restaurants and hotels = 5 years
  • Theatres, etc. = 3 years
  • Public Houses = 5 years
  • Village halls/community centres = 5 years
  • Agricultural and horticultural = 3 years
  • Caravans = 3 years but should be reduced to every 1 year if used frequently.
  • Caravan parks = 1 year
  • Highway power supplies = 6-8 years
  • Marinas = 1 year
  • Fish farms = 1 year
  • Swimming pools = 1 year
  • Emergency lighting = 3 years - although luminaries should be discharge tested every 1 year
  • Fire alarms = 1 year
  • Launderettes = 1 year
  • Petrol filling stations = 1 year
  • Construction site installations = 3 months
  • Temporary installation = 3 months
Electrical Safety Council Guidance
Visit the Electrical Safety Council website for independent guidance on Electrical Installation Condition Report.
Can I Have My Report Printed And/Or Emailed?
All EICR's carried out by Stirling Electrical Services Ltd. are produced by computer software and can be printed and/or emailed to clients as required.
 
Please Note - As from 28th May 2013 we have introduced a new policy regarding electrical reports/certificates. If the work/testing we do for you requires a report/certificate to be produced then these documents will only be forwarded to you when we have received cleared funds/payment for the work carried out. Unfortunately incidents of customers receiving reports/certificates and then not paying for the work has resulted in us introducing this new policy. Speak to our job booking team if you require anymore info on this new policy.
What Is The Difference Between A Certificate And A Report
A report is issued on completion of a periodic test on an electrical installation. The difference is explained below. 

Certificates and reports issued in connection with an electrical installation serve completely different purposes and it is important that the appropriate type of documentation is issued after completion of electrical installation work or periodic inspection and testing.

As its title suggests, an Electrical Installation Certificate certifies that new electrical installation work complies with the current edition of BS 7671; it is not suitable for reporting on the condition of an existing installation and should not be used for that purpose.

Similarly, an Electrical Installation Condition Report is not suitable for the initial certification of a new installation, or of new work associated with an alteration or addition to an existing installation, and so should not be used for that purpose.

On completion of the initial verification of an electrical installation, or of an alteration or addition to an installation, an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) should be issued (Regulation 631.1 of BS 7671 refers).

The certificate issued should be based upon the model form given in Appendix 6 of BS 7671 and should include a record of the inspection activities performed and the results of the testing carried out as part of the verification process.

Importantly, an EIC or MEIWC must not be issued until any defects or omissions revealed during the verification of the installation work covered by the certificate have been remedied (Regulation 632.4 of BS 7671 refers).

Such certification includes a declaration that the installation work has been designed, constructed and inspected and tested in accordance with the requirements of BS 7671. In short, it is a declaration that the installation is safe to be taken into service.

On completion of the periodic inspection and testing of an electrical installation, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) should be issued (Regulation 634.1 of BS 7671 refers). The report should be based upon the model form given in Appendix 6 of BS 7671 and should include a record of the inspection activities performed and the results of the testing carried out as part of the periodic inspection process.

The report details the outcome of an assessment of the in-service condition of an electrical installation against the requirements of the issue of BS 7671 current at the time of the inspection, irrespective of the age of the installation or to which edition of the Wiring Regulations it was designed. Details of any damage, defects, deterioration, non-compliances or dangerous conditions should be recorded on the report (Regulation 634.2 of BS 7671 refers).

The report contains a summary of the overall condition of the installation in terms of whether it remains satisfactory, or is unsatisfactory, for continued use. The report also provides feedback to the person who ordered the report in terms of the severity of the defects and departures observed and the urgency with which they should be addressed.
Pricing
Fixed Wiring Testing pricing is determined on the amount of electrical circuits that require to be tested. Please count the number of fuses or circuit breakers in your fuse box and let our job booking team know the amount.
 
Depending on the nature of the job required we will either provide a verbal estimate with an indication of likely cost at your initial job enquiry or if the job cannot be estimated without a visit to the clients property we are more than happy to arrange a time for our estimator to visit and we will then provide you with a written quotation. 

Please Note - As from 28th May 2013 we have introduced a new policy regarding electrical reports/certificates. If the work/testing we do for you requires a report/certificate to be produced then these documents will only be forwarded to you when we have received cleared funds/payment for the work carried out. Unfortunately incidents of customers receiving reports/certificates and then not paying for the work has resulted in us introducing this new policy. Speak to our job booking team if you require anymore info on this new policy.
What Happens After The Inspection and Test?
After we carry out the inspection and test on your electrical system we will produce an EICR which will state if the electrical installation is Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory - this decision will be based on the current electrical regulations BS7671:2011. We hope that the installation will be Satisfactory but if your installation is Unsatisfactory the PIR Report will list Observations and Recommendations to why this is the case.
 
Clients should then seek advice from us and are entitled to speak to other electricians as to what steps and work is required for the EICR to become Satisfactory. Unless directed otherwise we would normally provide a no obligation quotation for the repair work to be carried out.
 
Please Note - As from 28th May 2013 we have introduced a new policy regarding electrical reports/certificates. If the work/testing we do for you requires a report/certificate to be produced then these documents will only be forwarded to you when we have received cleared funds/payment for the work carried out. Unfortunately incidents of customers receiving reports/certificates and then not paying for the work has resulted in us introducing this new policy. Speak to our job booking team if you require anymore info on this new policy.
Documentation
We provide an Electrical Installation Condition Report as per BS7671:2011 on completion of the inspection and testing work. This report will detail any observations and recommendations for the electrical installation in accordance with BS7671:2011. This report can be forwarded to you by post or email after the testing (see below for new policy)
 
Please Note - As from 28th May 2013 we have introduced a new policy regarding electrical reports/certificates. If the work/testing we do for you requires a report/certificate to be produced then these documents will only be forwarded to you when we have received cleared funds/payment for the work carried out. Unfortunately incidents of customers receiving reports/certificates and then not paying for the work has resulted in us introducing this new policy. Speak to our job booking team if you require anymore info on this new policy.
How Do I Book A Job / Request An Estimate?
Our job booking team are experienced in the services we provide and will be happy to discuss your individual requirements.
 
Please phone 01786 813916 or book / enquire online.