Reduce risk and maintain compliance with our specialist risk management services.
We’re proud to be a leading provider of complete life cycle risk management solutions. From ensuring asset safety and legal compliance with our thorough engineering inspections to driving operational efficiency with our specialist non-destructive testing services, (and much more in between), we’re proud of the long-lasting partnerships we have formed with our customers over the last 160 years, based on the value of our solutions.
Electrical Testing (EICR Testing)
Maintain electrical safety and compliance with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
At BES Group, our team of electrical engineers provide comprehensive EICR Testing to ensure your business remains safe and compliant with regulatory standards. Without regular electrical servicing and testing, systems could become faulty, leading to safety hazards at your premises. We work with you to minimise any downtime for Fixed Wire Testing, including working outside of peak operational hours and during shutdown periods.
What is an EICR certificate?
An EICR certificate is an official document that outlines the results of an electrical assessment. A qualified engineer will conduct a thorough test of all electrical components at your premises, before producing a report on their findings and recommendations. This helps ensure all electrical components are installed correctly, working efficiently, and safe to use.
EICR codes are categorised as C1, C2, C3, or F1, depending on the severity of the issue. This makes it clear which problems you need to resolve imminently, and which need further investigation. Our engineers will also include recommendations to improve the energy efficiency of your electrical systems to help your premises be more sustainable.
Secure your electrical safety with Fixed Wire Testing
EICR’s act as a crucial benchmark to make sure your electrical systems are compliant, while also ensuring the safety of people in your premises. Also known as Fixed Wire Testing and Periodic Inspection Testing, EICR tests play a key role in making sure your electrical components are safe for continued use.
Electrical Testing is also used to determine:
- The integrity of an installation
- Any damage to sockets and switches
- If the premises is compliant with the latest regulations
The findings can be used to develop safety measures, mitigate risks, and identify any faults found with existing remedial works. If you’re a duty holder or facilities manager for a commercial or SME industrial business, keeping your electrical installations safe and compliant is your responsibility.
We cover a variety of premises, such as:
- Public Sector: Hospitals, Schools, Government offices
- Hospitality and Leisure: Hotels, Stadiums and Restaurant chains
- Industrial: Plants, Factories, Manufacturers
- Housing Associations and Social Housing
- Retail premises
Ensure your premises is safe and compliant with Electrical Testing
Schedule your EICR Test today Schedule your EICR Test today Schedule your EICR Test todayOur EICR Inspection Process
1. Visual Inspection
Our electrical engineers begin the EICR report by conducting a thorough visual examination of your electrical infrastructure, meticulously inspecting every aspect of the system for potential hazards.
This step detects any visible signs of damage or deterioration, including:
- Cracks or breaks
- Overheating
- Loose connections
- Exposed wires or conductors
- Damaged insulation
- Evidence of water damage
2. Dead testing
Once the visual inspection is complete, our electrical engineers will carefully disconnect the installation from the mains power supply, creating a safe environment for thorough Fixed Electrical Wiring Testing.
This initial step ensures that no electrical currents flow through the system during testing, minimising the risk of electrical shock or accidents. Under dead conditions, our engineers will perform rigorous tests to assess the integrity and safety of individual circuits within the electrical installation. These tests include:
- Insulation resistance test
- Continuity test
3. Live testing
After completing the necessary dead tests, our engineers will carefully reconnect the power supply to perform live testing.
This process involves applying a controlled amount of current to the electrical system while monitoring for abnormalities or potential faults. The main goal of live testing is to identify any hidden or intermittent faults that may not be detectable during dead testing. This includes checking for:
- Overheating
- Earth fault current
- Voltage drop
4. Further examination
Once the live and dead testing is complete, our electrical engineer will also check the installation’s components, conducting examinations of:
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Earthing and bonding
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Switches, power outlets, and light fittings
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Sockets
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Overcurrent protection
Once the inspection has finished, if any issues or faults are found, our engineer will record them and detail them in the EICR report for further corrective action.
Book your EICR Test today
Remedial Action
After the engineer has finished testing your entire electrical system, the results are recorded and provided to you after 10 working days – within a detailed EICR report.
This will allow you to:
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Access your report via email or our online reporting system.
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Identify the EICR codes allocated to your electrical systems.
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View all critical and essential remedial works needed.
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Request a quotation from for all remedial works required.
At BES Group, our testing and remedial engineer teams are completely independent of each other. Therefore, you can be reassured our remedial advisories are only based on the necessary work your premises requires.
Book your EICR Test today
Benefits of a Fixed Wire Test
An EICR is crucial for maintaining regulatory and safety compliance. Benefits of Fixed Wiring Testing include:
Insurance requirement
An EICR could be a requirement under your business insurance. If you submit a claim for an electrical fault and you haven’t got an up-to-date EICR, or can’t prove you took the necessary repair measures, you may not be covered.
Regulatory compliance
A recent EICR certificate highlights that you’re compliant with regulatory standards. Housing associations and social housing must update the EICR every five years, so it’s essential that you’re aware of your responsibilities and maintain compliance.
Legal protection
An EICR can prove that you carried out any work required to keep people and your premises safe. This helps with legal protection in the event of disasters or liability claims.
Ensure safety
An EICR is proof that you’ve taken the necessary measures to ensure the safety of anyone at your property, helping to reduce risk and give you peace of mind.
Energy efficiency
EICR Fixed Wire Testing can also provide recommendations to improve energy efficiency in your electrical systems, helping you optimise your property usage as much as possible.
Reduce costs
If you amend your electrical systems based on Fixed Electrical Wiring Testing efficiency recommendations, it can also reduce consumption costs at your property.
Insurance requirement
An EICR could be a requirement under your business insurance. If you submit a claim for an electrical fault and you haven’t got an up-to-date EICR, or can’t prove you took the necessary repair measures, you may not be covered.
Regulatory compliance
A recent EICR certificate highlights that you’re compliant with regulatory standards. Housing associations and social housing must update the EICR every five years, so it’s essential that you’re aware of your responsibilities and maintain compliance.
Legal protection
An EICR can prove that you carried out any work required to keep people and your premises safe. This helps with legal protection in the event of disasters or liability claims.
Ensure safety
An EICR is proof that you’ve taken the necessary measures to ensure the safety of anyone at your property, helping to reduce risk and give you peace of mind.
Energy efficiency
EICR Fixed Wire Testing can also provide recommendations to improve energy efficiency in your electrical systems, helping you optimise your property usage as much as possible.
Reduce costs
If you amend your electrical systems based on Fixed Electrical Wiring Testing efficiency recommendations, it can also reduce consumption costs at your property.
What happens when electrical systems aren’t tested?
Failing to get an EICR or keep it up-to-date means that you would be in breach of electrical system regulations. You could face fines of up to £30,000 for failing to comply with regulations, which is a vast expense for you and your business.
It can also drastically increase the risk of hazards at your property, as faults could occur that lead to fire and injury. This could further result in legal prosecution. If an incident occurs and your electrical systems haven’t been tested, it could prevent your insurer from covering the costs of damage and repair, leaving you financially liable.
EICR Test FAQs
How often should an EICR be carried out?
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In April 2021, the UK government made it mandatory for Housing Associations and Social Housing to seek an EICR certificate every five years – although this is not a legal requirement for commercial buildings.
Within commercial premises, the Duty Holder has a legal responsibility to ensure electrical installations are safe and compliant, by managing regular maintenance inspections and documentation. Duty Holders have a legal obligation to ensure a duty of care.
What is checked in an EICR?
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During Fixed Wiring Testing, our electricians check:
- The overall condition of your electrical installations
- Any signs of wear and tear or damage
- The quality of insulation and earthing
- All connections, switches, sockets, and light fittings
- The safety of circuit protection devices like fuses and circuit breakers
Would an EICR interrupt daily operations?
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Fixed electrical wiring testing can cause minor disruption to daily operations as it involves a sequence of examinations such as dead testing, which will temporarily switch off power within the area that is being tested.
However, at BES Group, we understand the importance of productivity and keeping your business operational. Therefore, our electrical engineers will safely work around your schedule and keep disruption to a minimum. We also encourage plants and premises to maximise testing capabilities during shutdown periods, as this will allow for examination and testing to take place without interfering with daily operations.
What does an EICR mean for Housing Associations?
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EICRs are mandatory for Housing Associations and Social Housing. This is to ensure the safety of your tenants and that the electrical systems are in good working order. You must have an EICR before the tenant moves into the property and keep this updated every five years. If you don’t, you could face fines of up to £30,000.
What happens if an EICR report returns unsatisfactory?
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EICR inspections grade issues on a C1, C2, C3, or F1 basis.
- C1: Danger is present and immediate remedial action is required.
- C2: Potentially dangerous, and urgent remedial work is required.
- C3: Improvement is recommended.
- FI: Further investigation is required.
If any these codes are identified, your EICR assessment will be deemed unsatisfactory. It’s mandatory for you to organise Electrical Remedial Work for these issues within 28 days of inspection. Once complete, the engineer can provide written confirmation they have carried out the works. There’s no need to have another EICR carried out after this final inspection from a qualified engineer, unless it is deemed FI.
What does EICR stand for?
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EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. It’s an official document that outlines the results of an electrical assessment. A qualified engineer or electrician will conduct a thorough test of all electrical components at your property, before producing a report on their findings and recommendations.
What happens after I receive my EICR report?
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If there are any C1, C2, or F1 issues on the EICR, it will be considered a failure. You must organise repairs for these issues within 28 days of inspection. If not, you should review any C3 issues to ensure they’re investigated, and any changes are made.
Is an EICR a legal requirement?
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EICRs are a legal requirement for Housing Associations and Social Housing. They are not a legal requirement for commercial buildings, although an up-to-date Fixed Wire Electrical Test Certificate proves that a building’s electrical systems are safe and compliant with regulations like the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
Electricity at Work Regulations require the Duty Holder to legally conduct maintenance inspections and documentation to ensure the electrical installation is safe and fit for purpose. Although, this does not need to be completed with an EICR.
How often should an EICR be conducted?
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The frequency of Periodic Inspections depends on several factors, including the environment. Higher-risk areas need more frequent EICR reports. Factors that can increase inspection frequency include:
- Areas with extreme temperatures or moisture, like laundrettes, swimming pools, and saunas.
- Densely populated public places, such as cinemas, hospitals, and petrol stations.
- Facilities using flammable gases and chemicals.
- Dusty environments.
How long is an EICR test valid for?
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Typically, Fixed Wire Tests can range from 3 months up to 5 years. This depends on the demand of business operations, which can vary between different industries and sectors. There are additional key factors that need to be considered such as:
- The type of electrical installation.
- How frequent the electrical system is used.
- The environment the electrical system is in.
These are important factors to be considered when scheduling your next EICR report. Our experts will work with you to ensure your electrical systems remain compliant, in top condition, and safe for use.
Who can complete a Fixed Wire Test?
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The Government requires EICR inspectors to be ‘qualified’ and ‘competent.’ This means being part of a competent person’s scheme or being able to prove their experience, insurance, and qualifications.
At BES Group, our registered electrical engineers are highly skilled, experienced, and ready to meet all your electrical testing needs.
Who regulates EICRs?
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EICRs aren’t governed by electrical bodies such as the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) or the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC), they are regulated by the UK Government.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 requires that:
- Electrical systems are built to prevent risk
- Systems are maintained to prevent danger, including 5-year fixed wire testing inspections (EICR reports)
- Work on electrical systems is done safely
- Facilities managers and duty holders are responsible for maintaining EICR inspections. BES Group can help by scheduling necessary inspections with minimal disruption to your business.
Is an EICR test the same as a Fixed Wire Test?
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EICR testing and Fixed Wire Testing are terms that are often used interchangeably across the industry and have the same meaning.
Read our Fixed Wire Testing Guide for Commercial Premises.
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View all our accreditationsECA
BES Electrical Ltd.
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Safe Electric
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British Engineering Services Limited
Construction Isle of Man
BES Group Electrical Ltd
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CHAS
British Engineering Services Limited - BES Group Testing Ltd. - BES Group Electrical Ltd.
IWFM
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
CPD
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
Trustpilot
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
ECA
BES Electrical Ltd.
NICEIC
BES Group Electrical Ltd. - British Engineering Services Limited
Safe Electric
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
ISO Accreditation Citation 14001
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
ISO Accreditation Citation 45001
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
ISO Accreditation Citation 9001
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
Achilles
British Engineering Services Limited
Construction Isle of Man
BES Group Electrical Ltd
Constructionline
BES Group Electrical Ltd - British Engineering Services Ltd - Inspired Access Ltd - Inspire Structures Ltd
Facilitiesline
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
Reset
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
SafeContractor Approved
BES Group Electrical Ltd. - XEIAD - British Engineering Service Limited
CHAS
British Engineering Services Limited - BES Group Testing Ltd. - BES Group Electrical Ltd.
IWFM
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
CPD
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
Trustpilot
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
Why choose us?
800+ expert engineers
Our team of over 800 skilled engineers possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in a range of disciplines. Their deep understanding of your equipment and operating conditions ensures that they deliver proactive solutions that optimise asset performance and minimise downtime
35,000 satisfied customers
We've built a strong reputation for providing exceptional service to over 35,000 satisfied customers from diverse industries. Our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction has resulted in long-standing partnerships and unwavering trust.
A legacy of 160+ years of experience
With over 160 years of experience in the industry, we've witnessed the evolution of industry practices and have adapted our approach to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers. Our deep understanding of asset management, compliance and predictive technologies enables us to deliver cutting-edge solutions that drive operational excellence.
Compliance
We’re accredited with the highest industry bodies, including NICEIC and the ECA, which means that as our customer, you’ll receive the highest quality service, no matter what
Hear what our customers have to say
We care about the journey we take our customers on, but it’s not our word you should be taking, see what our customers think of the service we provided!
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We had two members of the BES Group team attend our offices to carry out Fixed Wire Testing and the subsequent remedial work.
I can honestly say what wonderful staff attended! They were respectful, minimised downtime when needed, polite and generally all round nice chaps! A brilliant service.
”
Tammi C
Office Manager
“
BES is a really disruptive force in the market, they are able to provide a variety of necessary services to their customers and none of the other big players are able to provide that breadth of services.
”
Industry competitor
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BES Group Electrical Ltd, working for our main contractor Swarco UK Ltd, have provided an efficient and reliable service to get the key nodes of our charging network in place, and I look forward to continuing to work with them and other partners as we roll out more EV ChargePoint’s across the county.
”
Ryan Robertson
East Lothian’s EV Infrastructure Officer
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