Vermin control in a new electrical Installation-Old large house

I completed an EICR stating that I had completely disconnected a electrical installation in a derelict house then a installation certificate for one double socket to supply a CCTV security system, because that’s what the insurance company wanted after several fires were started at the property.


Insurance companies are the originators and drivers of EICRs, it was insurance companies who originally set the required insulation test results, best give them what they want particularly if you are getting paid for it.


Last year I prepared three EICRs over several months for a housing association after the flat became empty three times due to the neighbours from hell as their policy is to obtain an EICR at each change of tenancy, one of which lasted four days; and yes I did prepopulate the paperwork leaving the test results to be confirmed onsite. They also have a no unsatisfactory EICR policy which means if you find a problem fix it, don’t write about it, as they cannot let a property with an electrical installation that is in an unsatisfactory condition. So that means I fixed all the issues before finalising the first of the three EICRs.


If the client wants a satisfactory EICR rather than an unsatisfactory EICR with several minor works certificates appended to it why argue?


Going back to the OP if you are installing soft cables in building voids then those voids need to be vermin free, so if the walls are dry lined with plaster board on dot and dabs then it should be done properly with solid dabs around the perimeter to stop mice running around behind it rather than having to enclose the cables in steel conduit. I worked on a housing site where the NHBC inspector made the plasterers go back through several houses and cut the plaster board out around the perimeter of the walls to fill it back in solidly because they hadn’t solid dabbed.


If the old house is being totally renovated then there should not be a vermin problem upon completion of the work, if it’s a partial renovation then cables need to be routed and installed appropriately to avoid vermin damage.

I completed an EICR stating that I had completely disconnected a electrical installation in a derelict house then a installation certificate for one double socket to supply a CCTV security system, because that’s what the insurance company wanted after several fires were started at the property.


Insurance companies are the originators and drivers of EICRs, it was insurance companies who originally set the required insulation test results, best give them what they want particularly if you are getting paid for it.


Last year I prepared three EICRs over several months for a housing association after the flat became empty three times due to the neighbours from hell as their policy is to obtain an EICR at each change of tenancy, one of which lasted four days; and yes I did prepopulate the paperwork leaving the test results to be confirmed onsite. They also have a no unsatisfactory EICR policy which means if you find a problem fix it, don’t write about it, as they cannot let a property with an electrical installation that is in an unsatisfactory condition. So that means I fixed all the issues before finalising the first of the three EICRs.


If the client wants a satisfactory EICR rather than an unsatisfactory EICR with several minor works certificates appended to it why argue?


Going back to the OP if you are installing soft cables in building voids then those voids need to be vermin free, so if the walls are dry lined with plaster board on dot and dabs then it should be done properly with solid dabs around the perimeter to stop mice running around behind it rather than having to enclose the cables in steel conduit. I worked on a housing site where the NHBC inspector made the plasterers go back through several houses and cut the plaster board out around the perimeter of the walls to fill it back in solidly because they hadn’t solid dabbed.


If the old house is being totally renovated then there should not be a vermin problem upon completion of the work, if it’s a partial renovation then cables need to be routed and installed appropriately to avoid vermin damage.