If the result of your recent EICR inspection at your Bristol property proved to be unsatisfactory, you likely have many questions. Not least - What to do if your EICR is unsatisfactory?
What to do if your EICR is Unsatisfactory
EMC Electrical Group Bristol are here to help you understand what an unsatisfactory EICR result means, and what your next steps are.
What is an unsatisfactory EICR result?
During the EICR inspection at your Bristol property, your electrician will be looking for signs of damage, areas that don’t meet current regulations, and signs of general wear and tear. Where these defects are noted, and where they are significant enough to present a danger to the user, they will be assigned a code.
These codes are:
- C1: Danger Present (Immediate Action Required)
- C2: Potentially Dangerous (Urgent Action Required)
- C3: Improvement Recommended
- FI: Further Investigation Required
If any areas are coded C1, C2 or FI, your EICR result will be recorded as unsatisfactory. Code C3 will not affect your result as it denotes that your installation is not dangerous but does not comply with current standards.
Common reasons for an unsatisfactory EICR
There are many reasons that your Bristol property may have received an unsatisfactory EICR result. These can range from minor defects to much larger, more dangerous concerns.
Examples include:
Code C1- Exposed live parts, damaged accessories, or live conductors accessible to touch. These present immediate danger and must often be made safe before the electrician leaves the property.
Code C2 - Lack of earthing, no RCD protection, or faulty protective devices. These faults are potentially dangerous and must be repaired by a qualified electrician within 28 days.
Code FI – Irregular voltage reading, untraceable circuit, or inaccessible area of concern. The electrician was unable to determine the severity of the issue during the EICR inspection and further, in depth testing is required.
Your EICR report will contain further information about any issues found and your electrician will detail the next steps you need to take.
Unsatisfactory EICR – What happens next
If your EICR is unsatisfactory you will need to take steps to address the identified issues and have your electrical installation repaired.
These repairs must be carried out by a qualified, registered electrician. They must also take place within the specified time frame set out within the EICR report. For the majority of issues this will be within 28 days. Some issues may need to be rectified in a shorter time period and your electrician will advise you of this.
Once all issues have been addressed and certified by your electrician, your EICR result will be considered satisfactory. Any certification they provide should be added to the EICR as an addendum.
EICR Electrician Bristol
EMC Electrical Group are your local partner in electrical testing and compliance in Bristol and the South West. Our electricians are all fully qualified, NICEIC registered professionals who are committed to providing the highest quality work and exceptional levels of service to our customers.
We hope this blog has addressed all your questions surrounding “what to do if your EICR is unsatisfactory”. If you still have questions, our friendly team will be happy to discuss them with you.
