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Last updated: 18 December 2024
What is an EICR for business?
Making sure electrical wiring in workplaces is safe is a skilled trade job. An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) shows the right checks have been completed. This article explains what is an EICR and why they are important.
It goes without saying that staff, customers and the public have a right to be safe in a workplace. One high-risk area is electrical faults.
Electricians with the right training to check commercial buildings can make EICR checks a key service their trade business offers.
What is an EICR for business?
In this article, we’re talking about testing the hard wiring of electrical installations in buildings like offices, factories and warehouses.
The key document is the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), also called the Electrical Safety Certificate. EICRs are also required for private rented properties.
The report is proof that the wiring on electrical installations was checked by a professionally qualified expert. An EICR is usually a legal requirement for businesses to have.
If you're an electrician, providing the survey and service to produce EICRs could help you grow your electrician business. The reports are required regularly so you could benefit from this repeat business.
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How to provide an EICR for businesses
Electricians carrying out an EICR for commercial premises need the right experience and training.
The risks in commercial properties are likely to be higher than in domestic premises. There’s a difference between the skill sets of commercial and domestic electricians.
Carrying out an EICR usually consists of the following:
Visual inspection - for signs of overheating, breaks, cracks or splits
Electrical "dead" testing - while mains power is off
"Live" testing - to ensure that safety features work in emergency
Recording of any issues
Issuing a certificate
The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT) is one of the trade organisations that provides training. This covers what you need to know and do to produce EICRs for business and commercial buildings.
What is NAPIT? Your guide to the NAPIT competent person scheme
Becoming an accredited electrician It goes without saying that it can sometimes be tricky to present yourself as a trustworthy, reliable tradesperson. After all, potential clients want to be sure that you know what you're doing before they hire you. It’s just one of the reasons why membership with
Why is an EICR important for businesses?
The checks you carry out for an EICR for business ensure electrical installations are safe. In particular, from risks like fire or electric shocks.
How does an EICR help businesses to be compliant?
Having an EICR for business is important because a faulty electrical installation can put people’s lives at risk.
An EICR for business ensures:
Electrical installations in commercial buildings are safe
The business owner or landlord complies with the law
The EICR for business looks at:
Fuseboxes
Cabling
Switches and light fittings
The purpose of an EICR is to test for issues and reduce risks. Hazards provided by electricity include:
Electric shocks
Fire
Damage to equipment
In order to reduce risk for business premises, ensure business compliance and get supporting documents for your insurance, an Electrical Installation Condition Report is a key requirement.
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Benefits to businesses of being safety compliant
An EICR for business can help to protect:
Employees
Customer safety when visiting premises
The general public
An EICR can:
Identify problems early
Help solve issues before they become expensive to rectify
Potentially reduce insurance costs by having an up-to-date EICR
Help to reduce energy consumption in a building
Identify where to switch to more energy-efficient appliances
If you're an electrician, providing an EICR service might add a useful extra revenue stream to your business. You can earn a good amount in this trade and EICR work would add to it.
Getting into commercial electrician work, including doing EIRCs, could be a good place for you to start.
How to grow your electrical business
Why do you need to grow your electrical business? No matter your electrical expertise or business experience, every business owner knows just how important continued growth is. Without growth, you can’t expand your business. That in turn means your workflow could stagnate or even shrink
Is an EICR a legal requirement for business?
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 is the law governing electrical installations. If you are in control of the electrics then it is probably your responsibility to make sure they are safe to use.
It is usually the responsibility of the business owner or property landlord to have an EIRC done. They should be carried out regularly.
How often should EICR checks be carried out?
The usual recommended period is every five years. This will depend on the type of property and the nature of the electrical installations.
A factory with lots of equipment and high electricity usage might need an EICR more often than the 5 year standard
A small office with simple electrical installations is probably a lower risk
As an electrician who is experienced working on commercial buildings, you could advise customers how often to have one.
Your business customers might be happy to pay you for frequent EICRs. It can give them peace of mind that their properties are safe.
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Fines for failing to meet safety standards
Under the regulations, HSE can issue fines for non-compliance. For example, company directors could be fined and even imprisoned for breaching safety regulations.
As well as financial penalties, electrical problems can:
Damage a business’s reputation through bad publicity
Cause it to lose money by not being able to use a building
What does an electrician do for an EICR?
The EICR involves a number of practical steps to test and certify electrical installations.
Typically, to produce an EICR an electrician should:
Inspect electrical installations visually looking for damage, wear and tear
Check the installations meet safety standards
Test the installations
Examine any potential defects or faults and categorise them from 'needing improvement' to being a safety hazard
Carry out any repairs, if necessary and requested by the customer
Once happy, issue the EICR certificate
Many of these procedures can be learned if you join a competent person scheme. Holding a Gold CSCS card, for example, will show that you adhere to certain standards in the electrical industry.
Plug into electrical safety standards to win work
We can help you find more sales in your area
Find more commercial electrician work
Offering your business customers EICRs is just one step you can take to grow your trade business profitably. We can help you in lots of other ways.
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Exclusive offers and discounts with suppliers like Tradepoint and Wickes
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Guaranteed work when booked through us (T&Cs apply)
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What do you need to become Checkatrade approved?
Becoming a Checkatrade member comes with a whole host of benefits, but the biggest has to be gaining our seal of approval. Homeowners tend to expect a commitment to quality when it comes to the Checkatrade tick, which can help you to win more business. Here are the checks you'll need to pass to join our directory.
Key takeaways
The Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for business is an important safety document to protect employees, customers and the general public
Qualified electricians undertake EICRs to check the hard wiring - both for commercial and domestic buildings
Electrical installation risks include fire, electric shock and damage to equipment
Electricians can generate revenue by compiling regular EIRCs for business customers
The usual recommendation is to have an EIRC every five years or more frequently, depending on the property and the type of electrical installations
Business owners and landlords can be fined for not having an EIRC
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