EICR for Commercial Units and Shops in London

Shops, cafes, small offices and workshops across London need their electrics tested just like rented homes do, but the rules and the practical side are a little different. This guide explains what an EICR for a commercial unit covers, how often it is due, and how we test without closing your business for the day.

Why a commercial unit needs an EICR

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require anyone running a business to keep the electrical installation in a safe condition. An Electrical Installation Condition Report is the standard way to show that has been done. In practice the request usually comes from one of three places:

• Your insurer, who may ask for a current report at renewal or after a claim.
• Your landlord or managing agent, especially at the start or end of a lease.
• A buyer, new tenant or the local authority when a unit changes hands or use.

How often it is due

For most shops, offices and similar commercial premises, the recommended interval between inspections is five years, or sooner at a change of occupier. Places with heavier wear, such as commercial kitchens, salons with lots of heated equipment or units with public access late into the night, are often set a shorter interval by the electrician on the report. The date of the next inspection is written on the certificate, so you always know where you stand.

What we check

A commercial EICR follows the same approach as a domestic one, scaled to the size of the unit:

• The distribution board and every circuit leaving it, with protective devices tested against the circuits they protect.
• RCD protection for sockets and any circuits that need it, tested for trip time.
• Earthing and bonding to gas, water and other metal services.
• Insulation resistance, continuity and polarity on a sample or all of the circuits, as agreed before we start.
• Visual checks on sockets, switches, lighting, signage circuits and any three phase supply.

Anything found is coded C1, C2, C3 or FI in the usual way. C1 and C2 items mean the report is unsatisfactory until they are put right.

Testing without closing the shop

Testing needs circuits switched off one at a time, so planning matters. We agree the order with you beforehand, keep tills, fridges and security systems running for as long as possible, and can book early mornings or after closing so trade is not lost. Most small shops and offices are finished in one visit.

Common problems in London commercial units

• Old boards with no RCD protection, left over from a previous fit out.
• Extra sockets and lighting added by different tenants with no records.
• Missing bonding after plumbing or kitchen work.
• Overloaded extension leads doing the job of proper circuits.

Where remedial work is needed we give a fixed quote for it on the day, and once it is done you receive a satisfactory report.

Booking a commercial EICR

Energy North Ltd carries out EICRs for shops, offices and small commercial units across North, East and West London. Our City & Guilds certified electricians can usually attend within 48 hours, and the certificate is sent by email the same day. You can see more about the EICR service on our site, and if your premises need a charge point for staff or customers, have a look at our EV charger installation page too.

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