EICR Certificate Template Free Download
- Use case: Record the condition of a fixed electrical installation after periodic inspection and testing.
- UK standards: Structure the certificate around BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET EICR model forms, and the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
- Required schedules: Include Schedule of Circuit Details, Schedule of Test Results, and Schedule of Inspections.
- Observation codes: Record C1, C2, C3, and FI with clear location, circuit reference, evidence, and remedial action.
What an EICR Certificate Template Should Include
An Electrical Installation Condition Report, often searched as an EICR certificate, records whether an existing electrical installation is satisfactory for continued service. A good template should mirror the IET model form structure rather than just listing defects.
SERP gap statement: Many free EICR pages offer a blank PDF but do not explain how the sections, schedules, limitations, and classification codes fit together. This article gives a field-by-field map with current BS 7671 model-form references and landlord compliance context.
Regulatory and Standards References
| Template section | Reference | What to document |
|---|---|---|
| Model EICR form | BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 Model Forms | Report number, client, installation address, purpose, extent, limitations, and declaration. |
| Inspection and testing standard | BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 | Installation condition against the current IET Wiring Regulations. |
| Private rented sector duty | Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, Regulation 3 | Landlord duty to meet electrical safety standards during tenancy. |
| Inspection frequency for rented property | 2020 Regulations, Regulation 3(1)(b) | Electrical safety standards met during inspection and testing at intervals not exceeding five years. |
| Report supply duty | 2020 Regulations, Regulation 3(3) | Copy supplied to tenant, prospective tenant, and local authority when required. |
| Remedial work duty | 2020 Regulations, Regulation 3(4) | Investigative or remedial work completed where the report requires it. |
| Existing installations | Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Regulation 4(2) | Systems maintained to prevent danger so far as reasonably practicable. |
| Live work controls | Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Regulation 14 | Live work avoided unless justified, controlled, and necessary. |
| Work competence | Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Regulation 16 | Persons working on electrical systems have sufficient technical knowledge or supervision. |
| Electrical safety management | HSE HSR25 guidance to EAWR 1989 | Maintenance, inspection, and competence records. |
| In-service reporting format | IET Guidance Note 3 | Inspection, testing, coding, sampling, and reporting practice. |
| Periodic inspection chapter | BS 7671 Chapter 65 | Periodic inspection and testing basis for an existing installation. |
| Test methods | BS 7671 Chapter 64 | Test and measurement methods used where suitable for the EICR scope. |
| Domestic electrical safety | Building Regulations 2010, Schedule 1 Part P | Electrical installations in dwellings designed and installed to protect persons from fire or injury. |
Statistics That Support Proper EICR Documentation
Electrical Safety First reports approximately 19,300 accidental domestic fires of electrical origin across the UK. For England, its core data set lists 14,186 accidental electrical dwelling fires, equal to 53.4% of all accidental dwelling fires in the analysed category.
Electrical Safety First also reports 11 fatalities and 321 injuries attributed to electrical distribution fires in England, plus 15 fatalities and 397 injuries attributed to other electrical appliance fires. These figures support careful documentation of circuits, protective devices, observations, and limitations.
EICR Certificate Sections
1. Details of the Person Ordering the Report
Record the client name, address, contact information, report number, and date ordered. If the report is for a landlord, note the property address and the person who must receive copies under the 2020 Regulations.
2. Purpose, Extent, and Limitations
State the reason for the inspection, such as change of tenancy, periodic review, insurance request, or post-remedial verification. List limitations before testing starts, including inaccessible circuits, locked rooms, tenant belongings, dangerous conditions, or circuits not energised.
3. Supply Characteristics and Earthing Arrangements
The template should prompt for TN-S, TN-C-S, TT, or other arrangement, nominal voltage, frequency, prospective fault current, external earth fault loop impedance, and main protective bonding. Include distributor equipment and means of earthing details where they can be confirmed.
4. Schedules of Circuit Details and Test Results
An EICR certificate without schedules is incomplete for practical review. Include circuit designation, protective device type and rating, conductor size, R1+R2 or continuity values, insulation resistance, polarity, Zs, RCD test results, and remarks.
5. Observations and Classification Codes
Each observation should identify the circuit, location, defect, classification code, and recommended action. Use C1 for danger present, C2 for potentially dangerous, C3 for improvement recommended, and FI for further investigation required.
Example EICR Observation Table
| Circuit | Observation | Code | Required action | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB1-04 sockets | Broken accessory exposing live part risk | C1 | Make safe immediately and replace accessory | BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 |
| DB1-07 shower | No RCD protection where required by current standard | C2 | Provide compliant RCD protection or redesign circuit | BS 7671, IET Guidance Note 3 |
| DB2-02 lighting | No circuit identification at distribution board | C3 | Add durable circuit schedule | BS 7671 model EICR schedule |
| DB1 main switch | Unable to verify earthing conductor termination | FI | Investigate before overall assessment is final | EAWR 1989 Regulation 4(2) |
Common Mistakes in EICR Templates
Do not remove the limitations section, because it explains the scope of the report. Do not use a single defect list without circuit schedules, because remedial electricians need circuit-level information.
Avoid calling the output a pass certificate without the overall assessment. The report should state whether the installation is satisfactory or unsatisfactory for continued service based on the inspection and test results.
Using InspectionReport.app for EICR Photo Notes
InspectionReport.app can help turn site photos and notes into a draft report narrative. Upload photos, add details, let AI draft, review the text, and export to PDF or Word.
For an EICR, keep test values, coding decisions, and final assessment under the control of the competent electrician. Use the tool for photo organization and written summaries, not as a replacement for inspection and testing.
FAQ
Is an EICR a certificate or a report?
The formal term is Electrical Installation Condition Report. Many people search for EICR certificate, but the document reports the condition of an existing installation rather than certifying new installation work.
What codes can make an EICR unsatisfactory?
A report is generally unsatisfactory if it includes C1, C2, or FI observations. C3 observations indicate improvement recommended and do not normally make the report unsatisfactory by themselves.
How often do landlords in England need an EICR?
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require inspection and testing at intervals not exceeding five years for covered tenancies. Landlords must also supply copies as required by the regulations.
Can a blank EICR template replace IET model forms?
No. A blank template should follow the structure of the current IET model forms and be adapted by a competent person. Always confirm the edition of BS 7671 and any local requirements before use.