Fixed Wiring Testing is a popular phrase used to describe an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) new name from 2012 and formerly called Periodic Inspection Report. The reason for carrying out condition reports of electrical installations is to determine the current condition of electrical systems in terms of design and safety.

This is to ensure compliance with current electrical wiring regulations - by identifying failures or defects and making appropriate recommendations via a periodic inspection report.

We like to compare it to an MOT for a vehicle.

Put simply, An EICR is based on the condition of the electrical wiring, circuits, accessories and connections and is based on Inspecting and Testing the entire electrical system within your home,premises etc.

Each circuit's cable and accessories e.g. sockets, light switches, light fittings etc., will be inspected for visual damage. wear and tear etc. Then the wiring of each circuit will undergo a series of tests to make sure the wiring is safe and that the circuit is wired correctly.

The EICR will also determine if items such as earthing, bonding and incoming supply is sufficient. All this data will be contained in the EICR we forward to clients.

For domestic premises the inspection and test can take anything from 2 hours to a full day depending on the size of the property and the number of electrical circuits to be inspected and tested. Stirling Electrical Services pride ourselves on carrying out a thorough inspection and test as this is what is required of us, but please be aware of companies and individuals carrying out EICR's quicker by not carrying out a thorough inspection and not undertaking all the required testing. For commercial properties there are many variables that determine the timescale required to undertake a EICR but our job booking team will be able to give you a good indication when you call us.

Electricity within your premises will be limited while the testing is carried out and at some point we will require to switch off the electricity to your fusebox/consumer unit/distribution board so we can inspect and test those units and also test your main incoming earth.

By carrying out testing and inspection at regular intervals, deficiencies in your electrical systems can be identified and dealt with immediately, meaning that a problem does not persist undetected which may eventually result in fire or injury.

Any electrical installations will deteriorate with age and it is paramount that systems are maintained appropriately to safeguard households, tenants, members of staff and premises. The EICR will examine and evaluate not only the deterioration of the installation, but also its safety.

Legislation requires that electrical installations are kept in a safe condition. If regular inspection and testing is neglected - those responsible may be prosecuted under health and safety law, the lives of workforce/tenants are put at unnecessary risk, and insurance claims may be invalidated.

No electrical installation, no matter how carefully designed and erected, can be expected to last forever. Deterioration will take place due to age as well as due to normal wear and tear. With this in mind, the Regulations require regular inspection and testing to take place so that the installation can be maintained in a good and a safe condition. It is now a requirement of the Regulations that the installation user should be informed of the need for periodic testing, and the date on which the next test is due. A notice, fixed at or near the origin of the installation, must state the required intervals between periodic inspections and tests.

Accessories, switchgear etc should be carefully examined for signs of overheating. Structural changes may have impaired the safety of an installation, as may have changes in the use of space. The use of extension leads must be discouraged, if only because of the relatively high loop impedance they introduce.

Legislation requires fixed wiring testing be carried out every one to five years in most work places. In compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989, all work activities and rented accommodation must take precautions to avoid the risk of death or personal injury. Electrical Wiring Regulations also suggest time intervals for various electrical installations and these are listed at the foot of this page.

It is important to appreciate that the regular inspection and testing of all electrical installations is a requirement of the Electricity at Work Regulations. The time interval concerned will, of course, depend on the type of installation and on the way in which it is used. The table below shows the suggested intervals between periodic tests and inspections.

Suggested intervals between periodic tests and inspections
Type of installation	Maximum period between inspections
Domestic premises	10 years
Commercial premises	5 years
Educational establishments	5 years
Hospitals	5 years
Industrial premises	3 years
Cinemas	1 year*
Churches	5 years
Leisure complexes	1 year
Places of public entertainment	1 year
Theatres, etc.	1 year*
Agricultural and horticultural	3 years
Caravans	3 years
Caravan sites	1 year*
Emergency lighting	3 years
Fire alarm systems	1 year
Launderettes	1 year*
Petrol filling stations	1 year*
Public Houses	5 years
Marinas	1 Year
Highway power supplies	6 years
Temporary installation	3 months
Where maximum periods are marked * there is a legal requirement for retests at these intervals

Visit the Electrical Safety Council website for independent guidance on Electrical Installation Condition Report.

All EICR's carried out by Stirling Electrical Services Ltd. are produced by computer software and can be printed and/or emailed to clients as required.

We reserve the right to ask for payment in full before the EICR is forwarded to the client.

Fixed Wiring Testing pricing is determined on the amount of electrical circuits that require to be tested. Please count the number of fuses or circuit breakers in your fuse box and let our job booking team know the amount.

Depending on the nature of the job required we will either provide a verbal estimate with an indication of likely cost at your initial job enquiry or if the job cannot be estimated without a visit to the clients property we are more than happy to arrange a time for our estimator to visit and we will then provide you with a written quotation.

We reserve the right to ask for payment in full before the EICR is forwarded to the client.

After we carry out the inspection and test on your electrical system we will produce an EICR which will state if the electrical installation is Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory - this decision will be based on the current electrical regulations BS7671:2008. We hope that the installation will be Satisfactory but if your installation is Unsatisfactory the PIR Report will list Observations and Recommendations to why this is the case.

Clients should then seek advice from us and are entitled to speak to other electricians as to what steps and work is required for the EICR to become Satisfactory. Unless directed otherwise we would normally provide a no obligation quotation for the repair work to be carried out.

Our job booking team are experienced in the services we provide and will be happy to discuss your individual requirements.

Please phone 01786 813916 or book / enquire online.