The legal position
There is no single statutory interval for commercial EICRs. Instead, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require employers and those in control of premises to maintain electrical systems so far as reasonably practicable to prevent danger. Periodic inspection and testing is the accepted way of showing that duty has been met, and insurers, landlords and fire risk assessors routinely ask to see a current EICR.
Recommended maximum intervals
The IET's guidance on periodic inspection sets out recommended maximum intervals by type of premises. These are the figures most commonly used:
- Offices: 5 years
- Shops and retail: 5 years
- Restaurants, bars and hotels: 5 years
- Industrial units and workshops: 3 years
- Agricultural and horticultural premises: 3 years
- Cinemas, theatres and entertainment venues: 1–3 years
- Caravan and holiday parks: 1 year
- Petrol filling stations: 1 year
- Construction site installations: 3 months
The inspector may recommend a shorter interval if the condition or use of the installation justifies it, and that recommendation should be followed.
Who is responsible?
In a multi-let building, the landlord is normally responsible for the landlord's supply and common parts, and each tenant for the installation within their demise. Leases vary, so check the repairing obligations. We often inspect a whole building in one programme and issue separate reports per tenancy.
Minimising disruption
Most commercial EICRs need circuits to be switched off for testing. We plan around trading hours with early-morning, evening and weekend work, and phase large sites so that critical systems such as servers, refrigeration and tills stay live. See commercial EICR for how we scope and schedule.
Related testing
Commercial premises usually need more than an EICR. A typical compliance programme also includes PAT testing, monthly and annual emergency lighting tests, fire alarm servicing and, for workplaces, lux surveys.