EICR codes explained: C1, C2, C3 and FI
Last reviewed 18 October 2026
Every defect recorded on an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is given one classification code. The codes decide whether the report is satisfactory, and tell the person who ordered it how urgently they need to act.
The four classification codes
The definitions below follow BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 and Electrical Safety First's Best Practice Guide 4 (Issue 7.1), the guidance most inspectors use to apply the codes consistently.
C1: Danger present
There is a risk of injury now, and immediate remedial action is required. The inspector should tell the person responsible on site, in writing, without waiting for the full report. Typical examples are live parts that can be touched, or metalwork that has become live because of a fault.
C2: Potentially dangerous
Not dangerous at the moment of inspection, but it would become dangerous if a fault or another foreseeable event happened. Urgent remedial action is required. Examples include having no effective means of earthing, missing main protective bonding, or incorrect polarity on a final circuit.
C3: Improvement recommended
Not dangerous or potentially dangerous, but improving it would make the installation safer. A C3 is a recommendation, not a requirement. Examples include missing RCD protection where its absence is not currently dangerous, or missing warning notices.
FI: Further investigation required without delay
The inspector could not establish whether there is a danger, for example because of a limitation on what they could reach or test, but has reason to suspect one. FI should be rare on a domestic installation; it is not a way to note things that are simply worth knowing.
Satisfactory or unsatisfactory?
The overall outcome follows directly from the codes:
| Codes on the report | Overall assessment |
|---|---|
| Any C1 | Unsatisfactory |
| Any C2 | Unsatisfactory |
| Any FI | Unsatisfactory |
| C3 only, or no observations | Satisfactory |
Each observation carries exactly one code. Where more than one could apply, the inspector uses the most serious. An observation should describe the defect that exists, not the work needed to fix it. The fix belongs in a quote.
How often is an EICR needed?
- Privately rented homes in England: at least every 5 years, under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, or sooner if the previous report says so.
- Owner-occupied homes: the usual recommendation is every 10 years, and on change of occupancy.
- Commercial premises: the usual recommendation is every 5 years, with shorter intervals for higher-risk premises.
The inspector sets the recommended date of the next inspection on each report based on the installation's condition and use, and it may be shorter than these typical intervals.
What landlords must do with the report
Under the 2020 regulations, landlords in England must give a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, to new tenants before they move in, and to the local authority within 7 days if asked. Where the report requires remedial work or further investigation, it must be carried out within 28 days (or sooner if the report says so), and the landlord must give written confirmation that it is done to the tenant and the local authority within 28 days of completion.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a C3 fail an EICR?
- No. C3 means improvement recommended. A report with only C3 observations can still be satisfactory. Only C1, C2 or FI make the overall assessment unsatisfactory.
- What is the difference between C1 and C2?
- C1 means danger is present now and immediate action is required. C2 means the installation is potentially dangerous. It would become dangerous if a fault or other foreseeable event occurred, and urgent action is required.
- How long do landlords have to fix C1 and C2 items?
- In England, remedial work or further investigation identified on the report must be completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies a shorter period. A C1 should be made safe immediately.
This guide summarises the regulations and guidance it cites. It is not legal advice. Check the current versions of those documents before relying on it.