Commercial Electrical Inspections & EICR Compliance
Commercial & Facilities
Penmilne carries out commercial Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) and remedial works for offices, industrial units, retail premises and community buildings across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. As an NICEIC Approved Contractor, we help employers and landlords meet the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 with inspections to BS 7671 and clear, prioritised reports.
NICEIC Approved Contractor, TrustMark endorsed, Aico Platinum Partner, ECA member and CHAS accredited. Serving Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire from Hitchin since 1977.
How often do commercial premises require an EICR?
There is no single fixed interval in law. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require installations to be maintained so they are safe, and IET Guidance Note 3 sets out recommended maximum intervals based on how a building is used. The inspector may recommend a shorter interval depending on the condition of the installation.
| Type of premises | Recommended maximum interval |
|---|---|
| Offices, shops and retail premises | 5 years |
| Educational establishments | 5 years |
| Community centres and village halls | 5 years |
| Industrial units and factories | 3 years |
| Leisure complexes and places of public entertainment | 3 years |
| Swimming pools | 1 year |
What happens during a commercial EICR?
- Scope, sampling and access agreed with your facilities or site manager
- Visual inspection of distribution boards, wiring systems and accessories
- Testing of circuits, including insulation resistance, earth fault loop impedance and RCD operation
- Observations coded C1, C2, C3 or FI
- A written report with clear priorities and a quotation for any remedial works
Testing requires circuits to be isolated for short periods. The sequence of isolations is planned with you in advance so critical equipment, servers and refrigeration are protected and staff know what to expect.
What do the observation codes on a commercial EICR mean?
| Code | Meaning | Action for duty holders |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present | Immediate action required. The report will be unsatisfactory. |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Urgent remedial work required. The report will be unsatisfactory. |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Not unsafe, but worth planning into future works. The report can still be satisfactory. |
| FI | Further investigation required | Investigate without delay. The report will be unsatisfactory. |
Who is responsible for electrical safety in commercial premises?
Employers, the self-employed and anyone in control of non-domestic premises have duties under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. In multi-let buildings the landlord is usually responsible for the landlord’s supply and common parts, while tenants are responsible for the installation within their own space, depending on the lease. Insurers and managing agents frequently ask for a current, satisfactory EICR as evidence that these duties are being met.
What our clients say
Excellent contractor who delivers all the required information and repairs on time.
MK, St Albans District Council
Over the last five years, Penmilne and Thrive have worked well together to ensure all of our properties are compliant.
DR, Thrive Homes
Commercial inspection questions answered
It depends on the size of the building and the number of distribution boards and circuits. A small office may take a day, while larger industrial or multi-occupancy sites are programmed over several days.
Yes. Isolations are scheduled to minimise disruption, so share your operating hours and any critical systems when booking and the inspection will be planned around them.
In larger installations a representative percentage of accessories and circuits may be tested rather than every point, as agreed with the client beforehand. If faults are found, the sample is increased.
No. Emergency lighting and fire detection systems have their own testing requirements under BS 5266-1 and BS 5839-1, which are carried out and recorded separately.
Yes. Penmilne quotes for C1, C2 and FI items straight after the inspection, then completes the work and issues certification so the installation is brought back to a satisfactory condition.