An Electrical Installation Condition Report — commonly called an EICR or fixed wire test — is a formal assessment of the electrical installations within a building. For most UK commercial and rented premises it is a legal requirement, and even where it is not strictly mandated, most insurers and fire risk assessors treat a current EICR as essential. Managing EICR records properly, particularly across a multi-site estate, is one of the most overlooked compliance challenges in UK facilities management.
Who Needs an EICR?
The legal requirements for EICRs vary by premises type:
- Rented residential property — landlords must have an EICR every five years (or on change of tenancy) under The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
- Commercial premises — required under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989; the recommended interval is every five years or on change of occupancy
- Care homes — typically every five years, with additional requirements under CQC and sector-specific guidance
- Schools and educational buildings — every five years under BS 7671
- Licensed premises — often every one to three years depending on licence conditions
What an EICR Covers
A qualified electrician (registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA) inspects and tests the fixed electrical installation — the wiring, consumer units, earthing, bonding, sockets, switches, and light fittings. The report assigns each observation one of four codes:
- C1 — Danger present; immediate remedial action required
- C2 — Potentially dangerous; urgent remedial action required
- C3 — Improvement recommended (does not prevent a Satisfactory result)
- FI — Further investigation required without delay
A report is only Satisfactory if there are no C1, C2, or FI observations. Any unsatisfactory EICR must be followed by remedial work confirmed by a further report.
What Records Must Be Kept?
For each building or electrical installation, retain:
- The full EICR report including schedule of test results
- Any remedial certificates following C1 or C2 work
- The date the next EICR is due
- The name and NICEIC/NAPIT registration number of the testing contractor
- Evidence the report was provided to tenants (for rented residential property)
Managing EICR Records Across Multiple Buildings
When you manage 10, 20, or 50 buildings, it is almost impossible to know at a glance which properties have a current satisfactory EICR, which are approaching renewal, and which are overdue. EICRs arrive as PDFs from contractors, get stored in email folders or filing cabinets, and the renewal date is rarely tracked formally anywhere.
The solution is to treat each building’s fixed electrical installation as an asset — with a record that includes current EICR status, due date, and all supporting documentation attached. Automated reminders when renewal approaches means no building slips through.
EICR and PAT Testing: Two Different Things
An EICR covers the fixed electrical installation built into the fabric of the building. PAT testing covers portable and moveable electrical equipment — kettles, computers, extension leads, power tools. Both are required; neither replaces the other. A building can have a current satisfactory EICR and still have portable appliances that are unsafe and overdue for PAT testing.
Managing both sets of records through a unified asset tracking platform — where each building, distribution board, and portable appliance has its own record with inspection history and due dates — is the most reliable way to stay on top of electrical compliance. Taggit gives UK operations teams exactly that capability. Find out more or start your free trial.