3.2 Necessity for periodic inspection and testing

Periodic inspection and testing is necessary because all electrical installations deteriorate due to a number of factors such as damage, wear, tear, corrosion, excessive electrical loading, ageing and environmental influences. Consequently:

(a) legislation requires that electrical installations are maintained in a safe condition, and this lends itself to periodic inspection and testing – see also Tables 3.1 and 3.2

(b) licensing authorities, public bodies, insurance companies, mortgage lenders and thers may require periodic inspection and testing of electrical installations, as is for example the case for houses in multiple occupation – see Tables 3.1 and 3.2

(c) additionally, periodic inspection and testing should be considered in the following circumstances: (i)

to assess compliance with BS 7671

(ii) on a change of occupancy of the premises (especially rented domestic accommodation)

(iii) on a change of use of the premises (iv) after additions or alterations to the original installation (v) where there is a significant change (increase) in the electrical loading of the installation

(vi) where there is reason to believe that damage may have been caused to the installation, as might be the case for example after flooding.

“Reference to legislation and other documents is made below and it is vital that these requirements are ascertained before undertaking periodic inspection and testing.”

What is the difference between PIR and EICR?

The form produced at the end of the inspection was called Periodic Inspection Report - PIR until the 2011 first amendment of the 17th edition BS7671:2008 update when the name of the form was changed to Electrical Installation Condition Report - EICR.

How often the electrical installation should be checked?

For more information of the recent forms please visit the EICR/PIR form history page.

For more detailed information and description on PIR and EICR visit the EICR/PIR guide.

London - 02088198998

Guildford - 01483941158

Electrical installation condition report - EICR

Periodic Inspection Report - PIR (Great Britain)

What is the purpose of the inspection and testing? 

The purpose of the inspection and testing is to provide an engineering view on whether or not the electrical installation is in a satisfactory condition where it can continue to be used safely or it is unsatisfactory and improvements are required to make it safe for continued use. A detailed visual examination of the installation is required, together with appropriate tests. The tests are mainly to confirm that the disconnection times stated in Chapter 41 of BS7671:2018 are met.

What is the EICR?

Electrical Installation Condition Report - EICR is the name of the currently issued form with the recorded visual and measured test results and the either satisfactory or unsatisfactory outcome.

What are EICR/PIR inspections based on?

BS 7671:2018 - British Standards 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations, IET Wiring Regulations 18th edition published in 2018, effective from 01/01/2019 chapter 65 PERIODIC INSPECTION AND TESTING.

The inspection and testing detailed in the electrical installation condition report and accompanying schedules are carried out in accordance with BS
7671:2018 18th edition.

GUIDENCE NOTE3 Inspection & Testing 18th Edition IET wiring regulations BS 7671:2018 publication chapter 3 Periodic inspection and testing.

All the slide show images were recently taken during electrical inspections or emergency responses by Bestfix electricians

What type or level of inspection is required?

• visual inspection this does not include testing but suitable form of routine check between periodic inspections, if you are unsure of the state of your electrical installation it is worth having a professional electrician for a visual check and consultation, if you live within or around the M25 + around 15 miles, or in Guildfrod + 15 miles aorund                                                                  click here to book visual inspection from Bestfix
  
• EICR/PIR - periodic inspection with electrical installation condition report where the installation is tested is either satisfactory or unsatisfactory
• further investigation required where the inspection reveals hidden or ignored issues and more detailed tests are needed to locate and fix the source of the problem(s), this is normally part of the remedial work and not the initial inspection and testing