Introduction: For the average UK citizen, visitors, or those on other forms of residency status, being aware of basic fire safety laws and emergency response procedures is vital. In fact, it may turn out to be your lifesaver in case you get caught up or find yourself in such an emergency situation. One of the mandatory requirements for home or property owners (commercial or residential) is to keep an updated EICR. An EICR is an electrical installation condition report which is a detailed report on state of electrical fittings and fixtures. Its true electrical fittings and fixtures wear out after sometime, therefore they constant checks to ensure proper working condition.
What is an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a report created to assess the safety of a property's existing electrical installations (whether residential or commercial). It is legal under UK law to keep an EICR, which is used to describe the status or condition of electrical fittings and fixtures. Parts of what is inspected and reported on in the EICR include consumer units, protective bonding, lighting, switches, and sockets. Often, electrical installation inspectors will review some or all of these elements in your property's setup under UK law:
(a). Visual inspection of the circuits, control gear, and protective devices.
(b). Electrical testing of the circuits to know the level of earthing correction.
(c). Electrical testing to determine and locate damaged insulation.
(d). Polarity testing of circuits and other appropriate tests.
(e). Testing of the Residual Current Device's (RCDs)
Importance of Doing Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR).
Humans need constant checks to know the status of all vital health parameters. These may be both internal and external. Buildings and properties too have electric connections and fixtures and fittings that go through wear and tear from constant use and flow of current.
- Determine or know if there is an electrical circuits overload.
- Know the potential areas in the electrical circuitry that could potentially cause shocks and spark off property fires.
- Show the level of quality in the electrical fixtures used, quality of earthing and bonding. Earthing is key in electrical fittings and fixtures on property.
- Is it safe to reside in the property and use multiple electrical appliances without any worries. It’s good to know and stay safe from danger.
- Compliance with statutory requirements as set out in the UK law. Non compliance may lead to steep fines and licenses revocations for commercial ad business properties.
- Latest revisions and updates to rented properties in the UK mandate having an EICR.
Who Can Conduct an EICR?
Like a fire risk assessment, EICR requires a qualified and certified fire rescue and safety specialists. They must have experience, insurance, and use and uphold the latest regulations added to fire rescue and safety services.
Summary: Its estimated in most fires in suburban UK, are caused by electrical appliances or from electrical sources. This can be due to misuse or a lack of fire assessment reports. That exposes houses to fires and other potentially severe outcomes. Prevention is always better than cure, and just getting fire risk assessment reports and electrical installation condition reports is a protection against potential fire source hazards. Someone once concluded that "forewarned is forearmed."
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