Commercial EICR (fixed wire testing) is the standard inspection and testing report for the fixed electrical installation in business premises.
Commercial properties must keep electrical installations safe and maintained to prevent danger. In practice, the standard way to evidence this is periodic inspection and testing of the fixed wiring, documented as an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report).
This guide explains commercial property EICR requirements in the UK, including:
- when an EICR is required in real life (insurers, leases, audits)
- who is responsible (landlord vs tenant vs duty holder)
- typical inspection intervals (risk-based, not one-size-fits-all)
- what the test covers, what the report includes, and what happens if it fails
- how to prepare your site to avoid limitations and repeat visits
If you need a Commercial EICR in London, we can book a suitable time to minimise disruption and deliver a compliant report quickly.
Last updated: 2026
Reviewed By: London Safety Certificate Compliance Team
Key Takeaways
- Commercial premises must keep electrical installations safe and maintained to prevent danger.
- A Commercial EICR (fixed wire test) is the accepted report used to evidence electrical safety compliance.
- There is no single legal interval for every building; the next inspection date should be risk-based and recommended by a competent person.
- Responsibility can be landlord or tenant depending on the lease, but whoever controls the installation must keep it safe and maintain records.
- Keep a compliance pack: EICR + remedials evidence + certificates (useful for insurance and audits).
Table of Contents
Do I need an EICR for commercial premises?
In practice, most commercial premises need periodic inspection and testing as part of electrical safety maintenance. The reason is simple: fixed wiring deteriorates over time (heat, load, vibration, moisture, alterations), and inspection/testing helps identify deterioration before it becomes dangerous.
You will usually be asked for an EICR when:
- an insurer requests evidence of electrical maintenance
- a managing agent runs compliance checks
- you’re renewing a lease or signing a new lease
- there’s a change of occupancy or major fit-out
- an audit requires proof of maintenance (H&S / facilities / corporate compliance)
- there has been an incident (flooding, fire, repeated tripping, overheating)
See the full explanation of UK rules and how ‘legal requirement’ works in practice.
Is an EICR a legal requirement for commercial property?
The legal duty for workplaces/commercial premises is not “EICR every X years” – it’s broader: electrical systems must be constructed and maintained to prevent danger so far as is reasonably practicable.
An EICR is the recognised evidence most businesses use to show they have:
- inspected and tested fixed wiring
- recorded results and defects
- planned remedials where needed
- set a risk-based next inspection date
This is why EICRs become “effectively mandatory” in practice through:
- insurance conditions
- lease clauses
- compliance audits / facilities management requirements
Fixed wire testing vs EICR vs PAT testing (don’t mix these)
Fixed wire testing / periodic inspection and testing → results in an EICR for the fixed installation (DBs, circuits, earthing, bonding).
PAT testing → portable appliances (kettles, PCs, extension leads). It’s separate from EICR.
For portable appliances, read our PAT guidance.
Who is responsible for EICR on commercial property?
Responsibility depends on control + lease terms:
Typical landlord responsibilities
Often includes:
- main intake position
- landlord distribution boards / risers
- base building wiring and common parts
- landlord supplies (lighting in common areas, plant serving whole building)
Typical tenant responsibilities
Often includes:
- wiring serving tenant-only areas
- electrical systems installed as part of tenant fit-out
- tenant equipment and machinery supplies (where included in lease)
Practical rule (simple):
If you control it, you’re responsible for keeping it safe – and for being able to evidence maintenance/testing.
Commercial EICR frequency (how often should it be done?)
The recommended interval is set by the designer/competent person and then updated based on inspection results and risk.
Some special installations have maximum intervals, but most commercial premises are risk-based.
What decides your interval?
- building type and electrical load (single-phase vs three-phase, machinery, HVAC)
- environment (heat, moisture, dust, vibration)
- age and condition of installation
- number of alterations/fit-outs
- quality of maintenance
- previous EICR results and trends (repeat issues)
Typical maximum intervals used in practice (examples)
The IET guidance provides typical maximum intervals for different premises types (examples include petrol filling stations 1 year; places of public entertainment 3 years; restaurants/hotels 5 years).
Important: the Commercial EICR frequency depends on the recommended next inspection date. Auditors and insurers usually check that.
Commercial EICR cost (what affects price?)
Commercial EICR cost is mainly driven by:
- number of distribution boards and circuits (bigger = more test time)
- access and shutdown arrangements (no shutdown = more limitations/return visits)
- complexity (three-phase systems, plant rooms, multi-tenant sites)
- condition of installation (older systems take longer to test/record)
- site readiness (blocked DBs, no keys, no permits = delays)
What to do to keep costs down (practical):
- clear access to DBs/switchgear
- provide keys/permits for risers/plant rooms
- agree a shutdown window in advance
- provide previous EICR and known issue history
What a commercial EICR covers (and what it doesn’t)
A commercial EICR focuses on the fixed installation, typically including:
- intake position, isolators, switchgear, distribution boards
- earthing and bonding arrangements
- protective devices (RCDs/RCBOs where applicable)
- circuits: lighting, power, fixed equipment supplies
- signs of overheating, damage, deterioration, poor terminations
- test results recorded against circuits and observations
It does not replace:
- PAT testing (portable appliances)
- gas safety checks
- fire risk assessment
- manufacturer servicing schedules for specialist equipment
See the EICR test procedure (what’s actually tested)
EICR for Different Business Types
Understanding the specific needs of different business types is key when considering the frequency and focus of Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs). The diverse operational environments and varying electrical demands necessitate a tailored approach to ensure both compliance and safety. For instance, a manufacturing plant with heavy machinery differs significantly from a small retail boutique in terms of electrical load and risk factors.
To illustrate, here is a breakdown of how EICR requirements can vary by business type:
| Business Type | Typical Risks | Recommended EICR Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | High – heavy machinery usage | Every 3 years |
| Retail | Moderate – constant customer flow and electronic equipment use | Every 5 years |
| Office Environments | Low – standard office electronics and lighting | Every 5 years |
What happens if the EICR is unsatisfactory?
If the report has certain observation codes, remedials/further investigation are required.
Common EICR codes:
- C1 danger present (immediate action)
- C2 potentially dangerous (urgent action)
- C3 improvement recommended
- FI further investigation required
What documents you should keep (compliance pack)
Keep:
- latest EICR report + schedules
- remedials evidence (EIC/MWC where relevant + any confirmation of rectification)
- previous EICRs (trend/history)
- distribution schedules/single line drawings (if available)
- maintenance records
- limitations + return visit notes (if any)
How to prepare for a commercial EICR (avoid limitations)
Before the visit:
- confirm shutdown window if needed
- ensure DBs/switchgear are accessible (not blocked)
- arrange keyholders/permits for locked areas
- provide previous EICR and known issues
- confirm who can authorise access and limitations on the day
If limitations occur (no access/no shutdown/no safe isolation), they must be recorded and often require a return visit. See our full Guide on Operational Limitation on EICR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do commercial properties need an EICR?
Most commercial premises need periodic inspection/testing as part of maintaining electrical safety. An EICR is the standard report used to evidence this for fixed wiring.
How often does a commercial property need an EICR?
Intervals are risk-based and recommended by a competent person. Many offices/retail use up to 5 years, higher-risk sites often 1–3 years.
Who is responsible for commercial EICR – landlord or tenant?
Depends on lease + control of the installation. Whoever controls it must keep it safe and maintain records.
Is fixed wire testing the same as an EICR?
Yes – in most contexts fixed wire testing/periodic inspection results in an EICR.
How long does a commercial EICR take?
Depends on size, number of circuits/DBs, access, and shutdown windows. Larger sites may take longer or multiple visits.
Do we need to shut down the building?
Sometimes. Some tests require isolation. If shutdown isn’t possible, limitations may be recorded and a return visit planned.
What happens if the EICR is unsatisfactory?
Remedials/further investigation may be required depending on C1/C2/C3/FI codes.
Who can carry out a commercial EICR?
A competent person with inspection/testing experience in commercial installations.
Conclusion
Commercial properties must keep fixed electrical installations safe and maintained to prevent danger, and a Commercial EICR (fixed wire test) is the standard way to evidence that duty for insurers, audits, managing agents and lease compliance. Because intervals are risk-based, the safest approach is to follow the recommended next inspection date on your last report and plan testing access/shutdown windows early to avoid limitations and repeat visits. If you need a Commercial EICR in London, London Safety Certificate can arrange a suitable time, carry out inspection and testing with minimal disruption, and provide a clear report with any remedial actions prioritised by risk.
