If you manage an office, shop, warehouse or other workplace, you may have been asked for an EICR for business premises. The confusing part is knowing whether it is a legal requirement or good electrical maintenance.
An EICR is the report produced after the fixed electrical installation is inspected and tested. For most businesses, no single law says every commercial property must have one exactly every five years. However, dutyholders must keep electrical systems safe, and periodic inspection helps demonstrate proper maintenance.
Need to arrange electrical testing?
If your report is due for review, the premises have changed use or you are unsure when the fixed wiring was last inspected, we can help plan appropriate testing. At Coutts Electrical Contractors, our commercial testing includes EICRs, PAT and emergency lighting testing. We support commercial properties across Kent and surrounding counties.
Call 0800 112 5050. Our commercial EICR and fixed wire testing service supports businesses across Kent and nearby counties.
“For businesses, the key question is not simply whether an EICR is ‘required every five years’. It is whether the fixed electrical installation is being kept safe and inspected at an interval that suits the premises.”
What does an EICR tell you?
A commercial electrical installation condition report (EICR) checks the fixed electrical system rather than portable appliances. It can cover distribution boards, wiring, sockets, lighting circuits, protective devices, earthing and bonding.
It essentially records the installation’s condition, observations and whether it is satisfactory for continued use.
Wiring can deteriorate, be altered or develop hidden faults. The report gives the person responsible for the premises a clear record of what needs attention.
Does your business legally need an EICR?
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical systems to be maintained, so far as reasonably practicable, to prevent danger. They do not set one universal EICR interval for every workplace.
An EICR for commercial property is therefore best understood as a practical way to inspect and document fixed wiring. We recommend that installations should be tested often enough to minimise the chance of deterioration becoming dangerous.
Do commercial landlords have different EICR duties?
Responsibilities depend on the property, lease and occupation. Residential rules should not be applied automatically to commercial tenancies. Our guide explains what electrical checks landlords must complete for rented homes.
How often should commercial systems be inspected?
For many business premises, inspection every five years is commonly recommended. It is not an automatic rule for every site. Higher-risk environments, heavy use, harsh conditions, alterations or previous defects may justify a shorter interval.
Your report should state when the next inspection is recommended. One practical point businesses often overlook is disruption: a commercial electrical inspection can require circuits to be isolated, so access, trading hours and critical equipment should be discussed before testing starts.
What happens during fixed wire testing?
Fixed wire testing combines visual inspection with electrical tests carried out by a competent person. The aim is to assess condition, identify defects and check whether protective measures are working as intended. Inspection and testing of fixed wiring should normally be carried out by a competent person, usually an electrician.
An EICR differs from PAT: PAT concerns portable equipment, while an EICR focuses on the fixed installation.
What do the result codes mean?
- C1 means danger is present and needs immediate action.
- C2 means a potentially dangerous condition has been identified.
- FI means further investigation is required without delay.
- C3 is an improvement recommendation.
A report containing C1, C2 or FI observations will normally be assessed as unsatisfactory. C3 observations alone do not make it unsatisfactory, although they may still help you plan improvements.
How to decide your next step
Start with your latest EICR and its recommended next inspection date. If there is no report, the premises have changed use or you have concerns about condition, ask a competent commercial electrician for advice.
Also check your lease or insurance policy, which may set specific testing expectations.
A sensible EICR plan keeps the focus on safety
An EICR is not simply paperwork to file away. It is a practical assessment of your fixed electrical installation and a useful part of managing workplace electrical safety.
For most businesses, the right interval depends on the property, its use, its condition and competent advice. Five years is common for many commercial premises, but risk should guide the final decision.
Talk to us about your commercial EICR
If you would like help checking when your premises should next be inspected or arranging an EICR, call Coutts Electrical Contractors on 0800 112 5050 or email office@couttselectrical.co.uk .
Frequently asked questions
Is an EICR compulsory for every business?
Not as a universal report required at one fixed interval. Businesses must maintain electrical systems to prevent danger, and periodic inspection helps support that duty.
Is an EICR the same as PAT testing?
No. An EICR covers the fixed electrical installation, while PAT focuses on portable electrical equipment.
How long does a commercial EICR last?
There is no single legal expiry period for every commercial property. The next inspection date should reflect the premises, risk and condition found.
Who should carry out an EICR?
A competent person with the skills, knowledge and experience needed for electrical inspection and testing should carry it out.
