You may have inherited an electrical report with a premises, been asked for one by a landlord or insurer, or realised you are not sure when the fixed wiring was last checked. If you are searching for a commercial EICR service in London, the real question is what the inspection tells you about the condition of your installation.
An EICR is an inspection and test of a fixed electrical installation. It helps establish whether that installation is satisfactory for continued use and records defects or deterioration that may need attention.
Need to arrange an electrical inspection?
If your premises are due for inspection, call Alpha Tech Group on 020 3633 5087. Our electrical installation and inspection services include commercial properties.
An EICR is most useful when it is treated as evidence for managing electrical risk, not simply paperwork to file away. It should tell you what needs attention and what to do next.
What is an EICR for a business?
If you are asking what an EICR is, think of it as a condition report for fixed electrics, not a check of every appliance plugged into a socket. It combines visual inspection with testing and measurements and can identify deterioration, defective work, inadequate earthing or bonding, and other conditions that could create risk.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report for businesses also records the inspection scope and any limitations. That matters in occupied commercial premises, where access, specialist equipment or operational requirements can affect what can be tested.
Does every commercial property legally need one?
Not in the simple sense that every business must obtain an EICR every five years. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical systems to be maintained, so far as is reasonably practicable, to prevent danger. Periodic inspection and testing is a recognised way to assess fixed wiring and support that duty.
The appropriate interval depends on the installation, its use, maintenance history and environment. The competent person carrying out the inspection can recommend when the next check should take place.
Commercial EICR: what London businesses can expect
A commercial electrical inspection in London may cover distribution boards, circuits, wiring, protective devices, earthing and bonding, plus signs of damage or unsuitable alterations. Some testing may require circuits to be isolated, so access and business continuity should be discussed beforehand.
In occupied sites, the usefulness of the report depends partly on the agreed scope and access available. Limitations should be clear.
Alpha Tech Group carries out commercial electrical work and fixed-wire inspections. Our team is NICEIC-approved, and our health and safety approach includes site training and approved PPE.
How should you read the result?
An EICR certificate for a commercial property is more than a pass or fail. C1 means danger is present and immediate remedial action is required. C2 means potentially dangerous and urgent remedial action is required. C3 means improvement is recommended.
There is also FI, meaning further investigation. Under BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, FI no longer makes an EICR unsatisfactory by itself, although the further investigation still needs attention. The useful step is to read the observations and agree what remedial or investigative work follows.
When should your business arrange an inspection?
There is no single interval suitable for every commercial building. Review or arrange an EICR when the previous report recommends reinspection, the installation history is unclear, the premises have changed use, significant alterations have taken place, or your maintenance process indicates that inspection is due.
The decision should follow the installation and how it is used, not simply the postcode. Alpha Tech Group undertakes electrical work in London and Kent.
Choose a report that gives you usable information
Before booking, confirm the inspector’s competence, the proposed scope, access requirements and how limitations will be recorded.
You can also view our case studies for examples of commercial environments we have worked in.
Make the report part of your safety planning
An EICR supports sensible maintenance when you act on the findings and keep the recommended reinspection date with your property records. That gives you a clearer basis for managing the installation rather than relying on assumptions about its condition.
Talk to us about your electrical inspection
To discuss a commercial electrical inspection, call Alpha Tech Group on 020 3633 5087 or email info@alpha-techgroup.co.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Is a commercial EICR the same as PAT testing?
No. An EICR assesses the fixed electrical installation. Inspection and testing of electrical equipment is a separate maintenance consideration.
How often should a commercial EICR be carried out?
There is no universal five-year legal rule for every commercial premises. Frequency should reflect the installation, use, environment, maintenance and previous findings.
Does an unsatisfactory EICR mean the whole building is unsafe?
Not necessarily. It means report observations make the installation unsatisfactory under the assessment criteria. The classifications show which issues need action.
Can an EICR disrupt business operations?
It can. Testing may require circuit isolation or access to equipment and areas. Agreeing access and operational constraints beforehand can reduce disruption.
Who should carry out a commercial EICR?
A person competent in inspection and testing for that type of installation. HSE says competence depends on suitable training, experience and the complexity of the work.