Electrical testing in the home is something many people neglect, but doing so could be dangerous, and sometimes even fatal.
Electrical testing is essential to ensure the continued safe operation of your electrical installation and/or devices. Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR), sometimes referred to as landlord reports or fixed wire testing, are full-scale inspections and testing of your electrical installation. An EICR provides you with a full report on the condition of your electrical installation, similar to a MOT on your car.
Over time, electrical installations deteriorate so need assessing regularly, and every year Bison’s electrical engineers attend a large number of homes to remedy faults that could have been avoided if the electrical installation had been tested.
The maximum time between assessments as recommended by the Institute of Electrical Engineers is 5 years for residential accommodation, or every change of occupancy. That means if you’ve just bought a property, or have been in yours for some time, an electrical inspection is definitely due. Bison can quickly and efficiently test the electrical installation in your home, and provide you with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) showing what, if anything, needs to be done to maintain electrical safety in your home, and compliancy with current regulations.
What does an EICR involve?
An EICR comprises of a number of visual checks, and tests with the use of specialist test equipment. The testing and inspections will involve, but not limited to:
- Inspection of the consumer unit
- Inspection of accessories (light switches, sockets etc)
- Testing of the all cables within the electrical installation
- Checking compliance with latest version of the IET wiring regulations.
- Checking the adequacy of the earthing and bonding.
- Checking and inspecting devices for protection against fire and electric shock.
- Any damage or wear and tear that might affect the safety of the properties inhabitants.
- Identification of any exposed live wires that could cause a fire or injury.
How long does it take?
The duration of the test and inspection will vary depending on the size of your installation, a typical 3 bed house will take approximately 6 hours. All of the information collected is then compiled into a report that is presented on completion of the testing. The report will be presented as either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Unsatisfactory means that the required work needs to be done, without delay, to remove the risk to those living or working at the property. As well as returning an unsatisfactory result, the report will detail which electrical system(s) failed the test. This will be an additional quote to rectify the work.
Your EICR will either be marked as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If unsatisfactory, you will see one of three results:
C1 - Danger present – Risk of injury, immediate action required
C2 - Potentially dangerous – urgent action required,
FI - Further investigation required
C3 - A satisfactory report may show a C3 result. This means ‘Improvement recommended’ – your installation isn’t dangerous, but it’s not compliant with current regulations.
In each case, Bison will list the work that needs to be done to bring your electrical installation in line with current safety standards and regulations, and give you a quote for the work. You can then decide if, or when you would like it to be carried out.
Buying a new home?
If you’re thinking of buying a new home, it always pays to get an EICR done before the purchase. For a small cost you could unearth a problem that may cause you a lot of stress in the future. And, if you still love the property, any work that needs doing can usually be negotiated off the purchase price, so you won’t be out of pocket.
Get Tested
Failure to have your electrical installation tested can be dangerous. Electrical faults can lead to electric shock, fire, and the heartbreak that comes with them. Please don’t risk it!
Call Bison today on 01502 512219 to learn more about how electrical testing can keep your family safe.
Bison Electrical Services team of electricians offer our test and installation condition report services throughout Suffolk and Norfolk, including the towns and cities of Norwich, Lowestoft, Beccles, Bungay, Harleston, Diss, Halesworth, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Southwold and beyond. To find out more about our test and installation condition report services, or to ask for a quote, call us on 01502 512219 or email info@bisonelectrical.co.uk.
