Table of Contents
What is a certificate of electrical compliance? Why do you need it and who should you call to get one for your property?
Just as a college certificate validates your knowledge and skill at the end of a course of study, a certificate of electrical compliance is proof of the safety of the electrical installations on your property given at the end of an electrical inspection.
Electric installations, if not carried out properly and maintained regularly, can pose serious safety issues ranging from accidents such as burns and electrocution and, in some serious cases, electrical fires causing harm to both life and property.
To avoid faulty electrics and the consequential risk attached to them, it is necessary to have them installed by a registered electrician, give special attention to their maintenance, and carry out periodic inspections every few years, or if need be, to ensure they are safe to use.
At the end of the inspections, if the electrics meet the required standards for safety according to the law, electrical certificates of compliance are issued to document it and provide proof of compliance.
Read on to find out all about certificates of electrical compliance, their different types, who supplies them, and their various benefits to property owners:
Certificates of electrical compliance are a legal document used as a declaration of safety of the electrical circuits, appliances, and installation works carried out in residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
They are relied on by homeowners, business owners, landlords, and building control authorities to determine the electrical safety of a property.
The inspections that precede the issuance of the certificates may be carried out for new installations, alterations, and additions.
They must be done by a registered electrician since a regular uncertified one won’t be able to provide you with the correct certification at the end.
There are four types of certificates of electrical compliance:
An EIC states that the electrical installations are safe to use and are required for all major installations including new consumer units, circuits, and additional sockets, switches, and light fixtures in special areas of the property such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Minor Electrical Works Installation Certificate
This is similar to an EIC; however, it is used when the installations are minor such as light fittings and socket installations in non-special areas of the property.
Previously called a Periodic Inspection Report (PIR), an EICR is a detailed report that identifies any damage, defect, or deterioration that may turn into a potential hazard. It also records several observations in line with the BS 7671 along with providing recommendations for improving the installations.
Once the EICR check is completed, a certificate of the electrical installation is provided, classifying the condition of the installation into three codes:
As a requirement of Part P of the Building Regulations, all electrical installations must be safe, meet the set standard, and give room for safe maintenance and future alterations.
To give a better idea of the type of work and certificates received, here are a few examples:
What is the purpose of receiving a certificate for electrical compliance and why do you need it?
An electrical certificate of compliance provides proof of the electrical installations complying with the British Standard 7671 for electrical safety.
Although it is not a legal requirement in itself to have a certificate, it can be beneficial in providing proof of legal and safety compliance in circumstances such as:
Certificates of electrical compliance give peace of mind to the property owners knowing that their electrical installations are safe and tested, and also to electricians since they are responsible for the work carried out under the certification.
There are two types of electric works done in buildings; ones that you need approval for from the Building Regulations and ones that do not need to be approved.
The works that you do not need approval for are also called non-notifiable works and include simple repair, replacement, and maintenance work.
Electrical works that need to be approved are also called notifiable works and include new consumer unit or fuse box installations, new circuit installations, existing circuit alterations, full rewiring, partial rewiring, and a full new electrical installation.
These notifiable works must comply with building regulations and, if they don’t, the person responsible for the work might face prosecution and made to pay for the faulty work to be fixed to the set standards.
Also, without receiving approval for the notifiable works, you will not be able to receive the certificates of electrical compliance, which is something that you may require when you wish to sell your property.
The easiest way to ensure that all your work meets the building regulations and is signed off by a local authority is to hire a registered electrician through one of the certifying organisations including NICEIC, ELECSA, Stroma, and Napit.
Not only will they have up-to-date qualifications and provide you with the best services, but they will also be able to self-certify their work.
In line with Part P of the Building Regulations, the UK government launched the Competent Person Schemes (CPS) as a way to prove their ability to carry out certain electrical work and to self-certify it with the Building Regulations.
The registered electricians on these schemes meet strict entry requirements and undergo regular assessments to ensure their competence in the field of electrics.
Not only are they able to conduct their work in a safe and compliant manner, but are also able to notify work to the local authorities on your behalf and provide certificates of electrical compliance.
To ensure that all your electrical work meets the current regulations and you receive a certificate of compliance, you must choose a registered electrician to do it for you.
Here’s how you can choose the best contractor for your electrical installations, maintenance, and inspections:
If you are looking for a registered electrician for the installation, maintenance, and inspection of your property’s electrical system, look no further.
We offer a wide range of services to meet the demands of our clients which include all aspects of domestic, commercial and industrial installations, along with testing services for all kinds of properties.
All our work is fully insured and we work to meet the standards set to us by the NICEIC to make sure all your electrical installations meet the current regulations and all the notifiable work is signed off by the local authorities.
We have been undertaking electrical work since 1976, have plenty of experience, and are specialists in all aspects of electrical work.
Our installation services include:
If you are looking to undertake a refurb of a kitchen or bathroom, build an extension, or a new build property, we can help design, install, and commission it. We will also notify any work to the relevant authorities and departments to make sure you are fully covered in meeting the wiring regulations.
The consumer unit and distribution board are designed as a means of fault protection to not only protect the wiring and circuit but also prevent the user or machinery from shock or overload.
We can survey any existing installations and advise on the best way to increase their safety and use by upgrading the consumer unit/distribution board or the protective devices inside them.
We can help in all aspects of commercial electrical installations and offer a wide range of skills to help achieve whatever your commercial property may need, whether it is to design and plan a new install or add in extra data and socket points.
Under the new 18th edition wiring regulations BS7671, it is now recommended that surge protection must be incorporated into domestic dwellings, as before it was only commonplace in commercial and industrial installations.
It is a device that is installed in line with a circuit or installation to protect electronic equipment sensitive to surges such as an Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS), laptops and computers, TVs, consoles, phones etc, saving hundreds or thousands in damages in homes and businesses.
Inspecting and testing is something that should be done periodically to make sure your home, rental properties, workplace, and business are electrically safe, and to identify any hazards that could occur to prevent accidents, electric shocks, and fires.
We can undertake a visual condition report to identify anything visual that does not comply with the safety standards or looks unsafe through to a full Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) where we will identify and test each circuit to make sure the circuits are not deteriorating and are safe for use within the current standards and regulations to BS 7671.
Our testing services include:
It is recommended in the wiring regulations BS 7671 that a domestic property must be regularly inspected and tested after an electrical installation every 5 to 10 years, or if you are buying/selling the property.
It is a requirement under the Electricity of Work Act 1989 that as a business or commercial space, you must make sure that the electrical installations are deemed safe for use by your employees and the public. This is done by carrying out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at regular intervals, which can range from 3 to 5 years.
A Landlords Safety Certificate, which provides an electrical installation condition report to identify any issues and to make sure the property is safe for use and up to electrical standards and regulations, must be carried out every 5 years or whenever there is a change in occupancy.
Portable Appliance Testing tests items that are not part of the fixed wiring, and so do not fall under the electrical testing of the premises, but it is recommended that they are tested between 3 to 12 months depending on the type and usage of the item.
We also offer services for:
Contact us here or call us on 0800 612 3001 to receive your certificate of electrical compliance. Our team of experts will be more than happy to make sure your electrical installations are safe and compliant with the law.
What is a certificate of electrical compliance? Why do you need it and who should you call to get one for your property?
Just as a college certificate validates your knowledge and skill at the end of a course of study, a certificate of electrical compliance is proof of the safety of the electrical installations on your property given at the end of an electrical inspection.
Electric installations, if not carried out properly and maintained regularly, can pose serious safety issues ranging from accidents such as burns and electrocution and, in some serious cases, electrical fires causing harm to both life and property.
To avoid faulty electrics and the consequential risk attached to them, it is necessary to have them installed by a registered electrician, give special attention to their maintenance, and carry out periodic inspections every few years, or if need be, to ensure they are safe to use.
At the end of the inspections, if the electrics meet the required standards for safety according to the law, electrical certificates of compliance are issued to document it and provide proof of compliance.
Read on to find out all about certificates of electrical compliance, their different types, who supplies them, and their various benefits to property owners:
Certificates of electrical compliance are a legal document used as a declaration of safety of the electrical circuits, appliances, and installation works carried out in residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
They are relied on by homeowners, business owners, landlords, and building control authorities to determine the electrical safety of a property.
The inspections that precede the issuance of the certificates may be carried out for new installations, alterations, and additions.
They must be done by a registered electrician since a regular uncertified one won’t be able to provide you with the correct certification at the end.
There are four types of certificates of electrical compliance:
An EIC states that the electrical installations are safe to use and are required for all major installations including new consumer units, circuits, and additional sockets, switches, and light fixtures in special areas of the property such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Minor Electrical Works Installation Certificate
This is similar to an EIC; however, it is used when the installations are minor such as light fittings and socket installations in non-special areas of the property.
Previously called a Periodic Inspection Report (PIR), an EICR is a detailed report that identifies any damage, defect, or deterioration that may turn into a potential hazard. It also records several observations in line with the BS 7671 along with providing recommendations for improving the installations.
Once the EICR check is completed, a certificate of the electrical installation is provided, classifying the condition of the installation into three codes:
As a requirement of Part P of the Building Regulations, all electrical installations must be safe, meet the set standard, and give room for safe maintenance and future alterations.
To give a better idea of the type of work and certificates received, here are a few examples:
What is the purpose of receiving a certificate for electrical compliance and why do you need it?
An electrical certificate of compliance provides proof of the electrical installations complying with the British Standard 7671 for electrical safety.
Although it is not a legal requirement in itself to have a certificate, it can be beneficial in providing proof of legal and safety compliance in circumstances such as:
Certificates of electrical compliance give peace of mind to the property owners knowing that their electrical installations are safe and tested, and also to electricians since they are responsible for the work carried out under the certification.
There are two types of electric works done in buildings; ones that you need approval for from the Building Regulations and ones that do not need to be approved.
The works that you do not need approval for are also called non-notifiable works and include simple repair, replacement, and maintenance work.
Electrical works that need to be approved are also called notifiable works and include new consumer unit or fuse box installations, new circuit installations, existing circuit alterations, full rewiring, partial rewiring, and a full new electrical installation.
These notifiable works must comply with building regulations and, if they don’t, the person responsible for the work might face prosecution and made to pay for the faulty work to be fixed to the set standards.
Also, without receiving approval for the notifiable works, you will not be able to receive the certificates of electrical compliance, which is something that you may require when you wish to sell your property.
The easiest way to ensure that all your work meets the building regulations and is signed off by a local authority is to hire a registered electrician through one of the certifying organisations including NICEIC, ELECSA, Stroma, and Napit.
Not only will they have up-to-date qualifications and provide you with the best services, but they will also be able to self-certify their work.
In line with Part P of the Building Regulations, the UK government launched the Competent Person Schemes (CPS) as a way to prove their ability to carry out certain electrical work and to self-certify it with the Building Regulations.
The registered electricians on these schemes meet strict entry requirements and undergo regular assessments to ensure their competence in the field of electrics.
Not only are they able to conduct their work in a safe and compliant manner, but are also able to notify work to the local authorities on your behalf and provide certificates of electrical compliance.
To ensure that all your electrical work meets the current regulations and you receive a certificate of compliance, you must choose a registered electrician to do it for you.
Here’s how you can choose the best contractor for your electrical installations, maintenance, and inspections:
If you are looking for a registered electrician for the installation, maintenance, and inspection of your property’s electrical system, look no further.
We offer a wide range of services to meet the demands of our clients which include all aspects of domestic, commercial and industrial installations, along with testing services for all kinds of properties.
All our work is fully insured and we work to meet the standards set to us by the NICEIC to make sure all your electrical installations meet the current regulations and all the notifiable work is signed off by the local authorities.
We have been undertaking electrical work since 1976, have plenty of experience, and are specialists in all aspects of electrical work.
Our installation services include:
If you are looking to undertake a refurb of a kitchen or bathroom, build an extension, or a new build property, we can help design, install, and commission it. We will also notify any work to the relevant authorities and departments to make sure you are fully covered in meeting the wiring regulations.
The consumer unit and distribution board are designed as a means of fault protection to not only protect the wiring and circuit but also prevent the user or machinery from shock or overload.
We can survey any existing installations and advise on the best way to increase their safety and use by upgrading the consumer unit/distribution board or the protective devices inside them.
We can help in all aspects of commercial electrical installations and offer a wide range of skills to help achieve whatever your commercial property may need, whether it is to design and plan a new install or add in extra data and socket points.
Under the new 18th edition wiring regulations BS7671, it is now recommended that surge protection must be incorporated into domestic dwellings, as before it was only commonplace in commercial and industrial installations.
It is a device that is installed in line with a circuit or installation to protect electronic equipment sensitive to surges such as an Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS), laptops and computers, TVs, consoles, phones etc, saving hundreds or thousands in damages in homes and businesses.
Inspecting and testing is something that should be done periodically to make sure your home, rental properties, workplace, and business are electrically safe, and to identify any hazards that could occur to prevent accidents, electric shocks, and fires.
We can undertake a visual condition report to identify anything visual that does not comply with the safety standards or looks unsafe through to a full Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) where we will identify and test each circuit to make sure the circuits are not deteriorating and are safe for use within the current standards and regulations to BS 7671.
Our testing services include:
It is recommended in the wiring regulations BS 7671 that a domestic property must be regularly inspected and tested after an electrical installation every 5 to 10 years, or if you are buying/selling the property.
It is a requirement under the Electricity of Work Act 1989 that as a business or commercial space, you must make sure that the electrical installations are deemed safe for use by your employees and the public. This is done by carrying out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at regular intervals, which can range from 3 to 5 years.
A Landlords Safety Certificate, which provides an electrical installation condition report to identify any issues and to make sure the property is safe for use and up to electrical standards and regulations, must be carried out every 5 years or whenever there is a change in occupancy.
Portable Appliance Testing tests items that are not part of the fixed wiring, and so do not fall under the electrical testing of the premises, but it is recommended that they are tested between 3 to 12 months depending on the type and usage of the item.
We also offer services for:
Contact us here or call us on 0800 612 3001 to receive your certificate of electrical compliance. Our team of experts will be more than happy to make sure your electrical installations are safe and compliant with the law.
