How to code observations on a condition report

The four main EICR codes are, Code 1 (C1), Code 2 (C2), Code 3 (C3) and Further Investigation (FI).

C1 = Danger present​

​A code 1 observation must be rectified and made safe without delay.
An example of a C1 observation (it’s dangerous now!) would be the cover of a consumer unit missing hence exposing live parts. Any exposed live parts such as an open consumer unit busbar or an exposed live cable end would be classed as a code 1, as it is dangerous (right now) at the time of the inspection.

C2 = Potentially dangerous

A code 2 observation must be rectified as a matter of urgency.
An example of a C2 observation (potentially dangerous) would be no RCD protection to an external 13A socket. A C2 potentially dangerous observation extends to any potential dangers, hazards or risks which could occur under certain conditions or under fault conditions such as, this could become dangerous should that happen.

C3 = Improvement recommended

​A C3 observation is a recommendation for improvement.
A code 3 would be an observation you feel warrants a mention on the report of something you feel should be improved but would not be classed as a C1, C2 or FI.

FI =  Further investigation required

An FI observation must be investigated as a matter of urgency.
Further investigation would be allocated to an observation which could be potentially dangerous but could not be determined at the time of the inspection, therefore requires further investigation into the defect to be able to determine what code to allocate against it.

LIM = Limitation (not tested or inspected)

An inspection report schedule of items inspected may include “LIM”, meaning a limitation has been applied to the inspection.

​A limitation (LIM) noted on a condition report means that a particular item(s) and / or circuit(s) have not been tested or inspected. This could be due to no access to a particular area of the installation such as a server room, therefore the circuit supplying the server room could not be tested or inspected hence a limitation has been applied.

A limitation could also be a pre-agreed limitation agreed with the client, i.e. the client does not want you to test or inspect that specific area or item.

Another example of a limitation could include high level warehouse lighting, if there is no safe working access to the high level lighting then a limitation might be applied.

NOTE = A noteworthy comment

An item the inspector has deemed noteworthy but not necessarily related to electrical safety, a “NOTE” has no bearing on the outcome of an inspection.

Which edition of BS 7671 should I test/inspect to?

When carrying out an Electrical Inspection of an existing electrical installation you should always inspect and test to the current edition of BS 7671, irrespective of when the installation was originally installed, be that 2 weeks ago or 50 years ago, we always test to the current version of the Wiring Regulations and Guidance Note 3.

It is responsibility of the person carrying out the inspection to allocate a suitable code for any identified defects based on their own professional judgement.

EICR Code Differences in Opinion

Sometimes Electricians and Inspection/Testing Engineers interpret the wiring regulations differently and will have different opinions on which code to allocate to an observation.

The person who actually conducted the inspection is the person who is to decide which code to allocate.

Too many times end-clients post the results of their unsatisfactory EICR reports online on the hope to get advice from other electricians to de-classify or re-classify EICR codes in order to obtain a satisfactory EICR, or at least reduce the amount of remedial works required.

While there is no issue of seeking a 2nd or 3rd option, in fact, sometimes it is recommend to get a second opinion if the issued report does not appear to have been completed properly, but Electricians can’t really offer their professional judgment on an EICR code without actually seeing and inspecting the issue themselves.

EICR Coding Guidance Books

To assist electricians in deciding which C code to allocate to a defect or observation there are a number of publications on the market which aim to assist you in your your decision making, note that many of those publications may have a disclaimer.

EICR Codes

• C1 = Danger Present (FAIL)
• C2 = Potentially Dangerous (FAIL)
• C3 = Improvement Recommended
• FI = Further Investigation Required (FAIL)
• NOTE = An item the inspector has deemed noteworthy but not necessarily related to electrical safety

Additional codes which you may find on the schedule of items inspected:

• N/V = Not Verified (Unable to verify)
• N/A = Not Applicable
• LIM = Limitation (Not tested or inspected)

Instead of using N/V for an item which could not be verified, it might be more appropriate to code it as an FI.

Software for Installation Condition Reporting

In the age of fast moving technology there seams to be an app for almost everything these days and that includes Electrical Testing Inspecting and Certification Software which is available on iPad, Android Tablets and Windows PCs and is free to download.