There’s no law that says “every business must have an EICR every five years”. But the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require employers and anyone in control of premises to keep electrical systems safe, and regular inspection and testing is how you show you’re doing that. Insurers and landlords usually expect a current EICR too.
What does the law say?
The Electricity at Work Regulations require electrical systems to be maintained so far as is reasonably practicable to prevent danger. They don’t set a fixed interval. Health and safety guidance points to periodic inspection and testing, and an EICR is the recognised way to record it.
Other reasons businesses need one:
- Insurance: many policies require a current report.
- Leases: commercial leases often make the tenant or landlord responsible for regular testing.
- Fire risk assessments: these usually ask when the installation was last inspected.
- Buying or leasing premises: you’ll want to know the condition before you commit.
How often should a commercial property be inspected?
The IET’s guidance gives maximum intervals by type of premises. Typical examples:
| Premises | Typical maximum interval |
|---|---|
| Offices and shops | 5 years |
| Restaurants, cafés and hotels | 5 years |
| Industrial units and workshops | 3 years |
| Places of public entertainment | 3 years or less |
The electrician sets the next inspection date on your report based on the condition and use of the installation, which may be sooner than these maximums. A change of occupier is also a good time for a new report.
Who is responsible: landlord or tenant?
It depends on the lease. Often the tenant is responsible for their unit and the landlord for common areas and the incoming supply. Check the repairing and compliance clauses, and agree who arranges the inspection before you book.
What happens on the day?
- The distribution boards and circuits are inspected and tested, the same as in a home but usually on a larger scale.
- The power has to go off circuit by circuit. We plan this with you to keep disruption to a minimum.
- Commercial inspections can be done out of hours at extra cost if the business can’t lose power during the day.
How much does a commercial EICR cost?
Commercial inspections are quoted per property, because the size and number of circuits vary so much. Tell us the type of premises, the number of distribution boards and the approximate number of circuits, and we’ll give you a fixed price.
What about fire alarms, emergency lighting and appliances?
These are separate checks with their own standards. An EICR covers the fixed electrical installation. If you have equipment your staff use, ask about PAT testing.
What if the report is unsatisfactory?
You get a clear explanation of each observation and a separate quote for any work. C1 dangers are made safe straight away. See EICR codes explained.
Get a commercial EICR quote
Check your total price on our commercial EICR page, call 0161 400 1855 or 07493 508 439, or send us an enquiry. We work Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm, across Manchester and the surrounding areas (see the areas we cover). Your report is emailed within one working day of your payment clearing.
