The four codes
| Code | Meaning | Report outcome |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present. Risk of injury. Immediate remedial action required. | Unsatisfactory |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous. Urgent remedial action required. | Unsatisfactory |
| FI | Further investigation required without delay. | Unsatisfactory |
| C3 | Improvement recommended. | Does not affect the outcome |
C1: danger present
Something could hurt someone now, for example live parts that can be touched through a broken accessory. The inspector should make it safe straight away, usually by isolating the circuit, and tell the person responsible. Leaving a C1 in service is not an option.
C2: potentially dangerous
Not dangerous this minute, but could become dangerous if a fault occurs. Typical examples include no effective earthing, signs of overheating or scorching at a socket or connection, and missing main protective bonding to incoming gas or water pipes. C2 items should be put right urgently. For landlords, that means within 28 days at most.
FI: further investigation
The inspector found something that could not be fully assessed during the inspection, such as a circuit that could not be traced or a test result that points to a hidden problem. It must be investigated without delay, and the investigation may turn up a C1 or C2.
C3: improvement recommended
The installation does not meet the current edition of BS 7671 in some way, but it is not dangerous. Older installations built to earlier regulations often carry C3 codes, for example a lack of surge protection. C3 items do not make a report unsatisfactory, and landlords are not required to fix them under the 2020 regulations.
What to do with an unsatisfactory EICR
- Ask for a fixed price for each C1, C2 and FI observation, not a lump sum.
- Have the work done by a qualified electrician, who will issue a Minor Works Certificate or Electrical Installation Certificate.
- Landlords must send written confirmation of completion to the tenant and the local authority within 28 days of the work being finished.
We price every observation line by line before any work starts. See how we put an unsatisfactory EICR right in nine days in our Salford rental case study.
Questions
Does a C3 fail an EICR?
No. C3 means improvement recommended. A report with only C3 observations is still satisfactory.
Is C2 a fail on an EICR?
Yes. Any C2 observation makes the EICR unsatisfactory, and it needs urgent remedial work. For rented homes in England that must be done within 28 days.
What does FI mean on an EICR?
Further investigation required without delay. The inspector could not fully assess something and it must be investigated promptly. An FI makes the report unsatisfactory.
Who can fix EICR remedial work?
Any qualified and competent electrician, not necessarily the one who did the inspection. They should certificate the work with a Minor Works Certificate or Electrical Installation Certificate.
Need it done? Call 07703 295654, answered 24/7, or request a free compliance review for a portfolio.