Some of my clients with commercial properties which have EICR's due soon have asked if they can be deferred in consideration of the Coronavirus situation. There are contractors willing to undertake the work but there is a risk of Govt restrictions being tightened, or staff becoming unavailable on the day. I cannot see any guidance on the IET website. My thought is it should be alright to defer if the system is regularly maintained with full records and there are no known faults. I would welcome advice.
What's the stimulus for getting an EICR done in the first place?
From a BS 7671 point of view, getting periodic inspections done are merely a recommendation to the end user - so I don't think you'll get a definitive answer from there.
If it's to satisfy insurance, or H&S policy, or licensing conditions, you'd have to look at their requirements (and possible dispensations).
there is a risk of Govt restrictions being tightened, or staff becoming unavailable on the day.
That is the problem, even if the commercial buildings are void due to them not being essential employment. I have several booked in weeks ago. General consensus is that any prior arrangements you make for access, security and IT shutdowns are likely to fail in the interim and so they are deferred. Of course the Inspector could become incapacitated also!
The periodic re-inspect interval is a recommendation. It is not like a vehicle "MOT", in any event that has just had a 6 mth concession added to any MOT recently expired.
What is the risk of not doing an EICR if the buildings are void?
For small to medium sized installations even large scale operations, I would have thought that this would be an ideal time to do an inspection. Just two inspectors and a duty manager of some kind. No UPS's or other 'systems' running.....
For small to medium sized installations even large scale operations, I would have thought that this would be an ideal time to do an inspection. Just two inspectors and a duty manager of some kind. No UPS's or other 'systems' running.....
Legh
Yes indeed but there will also be no one in accounts to pay you!
