Romford Electrical ServicesGuide
What do EICR codes C1, C2, C3 and FI mean?
C1 means danger present, C2 potentially dangerous, C3 improvement recommended and FI further investigation required. Here is what each code means for you.
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On an electrical installation condition report (EICR), C1 means danger is present and risk of injury exists, C2 means potentially dangerous, C3 means improvement is recommended, and FI means further investigation is required without delay. A report with any C1, C2 or FI code is classed as unsatisfactory, while C3 on its own does not cause a fail.
The four codes at a glance
These codes are the inspector's way of ranking what they find during the inspection and testing of your electrical installation. Each observation in the condition report is given one code, so you can see what matters most.
C1: danger present, risk of injury. Immediate action is required. Inspectors often make the situation safe on the spot or advise you to leave that part switched off.
C2: potentially dangerous. Urgent remedial action is required. Nothing may be going wrong today, but a fault or a second problem could make it dangerous.
C3: improvement recommended. The installation is not unsafe because of this item, but it falls short of current best practice.
FI: further investigation required without delay. The inspector could not fully assess something and cannot say whether it is safe until it has been looked at more closely.
What C1 and C2 usually look like in practice
A C1 is something where you or someone else could be hurt now. Typical examples are exposed live conductors, damaged accessories with live parts that can be touched, or signs of serious overheating at a connection.
A C2 is a defect that creates a risk under the wrong conditions. Examples include missing or inadequate earthing or bonding, a damaged or unsuitable consumer unit, a circuit with high resistance readings that suggest a poor connection, or wiring with deteriorated insulation.
The code depends on the inspector's judgement of the risk at the time. Two homes can have similar-looking issues with different codes, because the circumstances around them differ.
C3 and FI: the two people tend to misread
C3 items are advice. Older installations often collect several of them, such as a lack of extra protection on a circuit that was fine under the standards of its day. You do not have to act on a C3 to receive a satisfactory result, but it is worth planning for, especially if you are already having other electrical work done.
FI is different because it is an unknown, not a minor note. Perhaps a circuit could not be traced, a part of the installation was inaccessible, or a test result did not make sense. Until the investigation is done, the report cannot be called satisfactory. Once the cause is found, the item is usually recoded as C1, C2, C3 or cleared entirely.
What makes a report unsatisfactory
An EICR is unsatisfactory when it contains at least one C1, C2 or FI. You will see this stated in the overall assessment of the installation condition. A report with only C3 observations, or no observations, can still be satisfactory.
An unsatisfactory result is not a punishment. It tells you the installation needs attention before it can be considered safe to continue using. The inspector will list the circuits affected, so you know exactly where the problems are rather than facing a vague instruction to rewire.
Next steps if you have been given codes
Start with anything coded C1 or C2, then deal with FI items so they can be properly classified. C3 items can follow at a pace that suits you.
After the remedial work, you should receive paperwork confirming the defects have been corrected, and in some cases a fresh or updated report. Keep these together with the original, as letting agents, mortgage lenders and buyers sometimes ask for them.
If you are a landlord, rules in the private rented sector set out what must happen after an unsatisfactory report, including time limits for remedial work. Rules can change, so check GOV.UK for the current position rather than relying on older advice.
When asking for work to be priced, request a written quote. The cost depends on how many circuits are affected, how easy the wiring is to reach, the parts needed, how long the job takes and whether investigation work comes first. Quotes for FI items are often harder to fix in advance because the cause is not yet known.
Common questions
Does a C3 mean my EICR has failed?
No. A C3 is an improvement recommendation. A report is unsatisfactory only if it contains a C1, C2 or FI code.
Can I ignore a C2 if nothing seems wrong?
It is not wise to. A C2 means the item is potentially dangerous and needs urgent remedial action, even if everything appears to work normally.
What happens after an FI code?
The inspector or an electrician investigates the item to find out whether it is safe. The outcome is then recoded as C1, C2 or C3, or confirmed as having no issue.
Do I need a new EICR after the repairs?
Not always. You will usually get documentation confirming the remedial work, and sometimes an updated report. Check with whoever requested the report, such as your letting agent or lender.
Useful sources
- NICEIC: The electrical contracting body, with a register to check an electrician.
- GOV.UK: electrical safety standards in the private rented sector: The official guidance for landlords, tenants and councils on electrical safety checks.