01
C1
Danger present
The inspector should take immediate action where possible to remove or isolate the danger and clearly record what was done.
EICR Codes
C1, C2, C3 & FI Explained
The code communicates the safety significance of an observation—not the price or exact repair. Read the observation, location, limitation and supporting test results together.
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The code is a safety classification, not a quotation
The short answer, before the detail
C1 means danger is present and immediate action is required. C2 means the condition is potentially dangerous and urgent remedial action is needed. FI means further investigation is required without delay. C3 records an improvement recommendation. C1, C2 or FI findings make the report unsatisfactory; C3 alone does not.
- Read the written observation as well as the code.
- C1 conditions need immediate action to remove danger.
- C2 and FI require timely action or investigation.
- C3 is not the same as a mandatory remedial item.
Start with the property, not the product
The same letter can describe different work
The code expresses urgency. The observation and evidence explain the actual condition.
Swipe through the four questions
02
C2
Potentially dangerous
The condition is not necessarily causing injury at that moment, but a foreseeable sequence could make it dangerous and remedial action is required.
03
C3
Improvement recommended
The installation may not reflect the latest arrangement or improvement, but the observation does not by itself make the EICR unsatisfactory.
04
FI
Further investigation required
The available inspection or test evidence indicates a safety concern that cannot be resolved without additional investigation.
A practical decision guide
Move from code to the actual observation
A price cannot be responsibly produced from “one C2” without understanding what and where it is.
Confirm location
Identify the circuit, equipment and property area
The report should give enough information for the observation to be found without repeating the whole inspection.
Review evidence
Use test results and inspection details
Measured values, accessible condition and report limitations help define what requires repair or further work.
Define the remedy
Correct the condition, not the wording alone
The appropriate solution may be repair, replacement, disconnection, additional testing or a wider circuit alteration.
Record completion
Keep suitable certification or written confirmation
The handover should connect the completed work to the original observation and record the electrical work appropriately.
What professional work looks like
Close each observation with an evidence trail
A landlord, homeowner or agent should be able to follow the report through to the completed work.
- 01
Read the whole observation
Note the code, location, circuit and any limitation or recommendation attached to it.
- 02
Prioritise immediate and urgent conditions
C1 danger is addressed immediately; C2 and FI work is planned without treating C3 as equivalent.
- 03
Survey the remedial scope
Confirm access, isolation, replacement parts and whether further testing changes the proposed work.
- 04
Complete and test the work
Repair or investigate the actual condition, then inspect and test the affected work.
- 05
Supply the correct records
Provide the electrical certificate, satisfactory report or other written confirmation appropriate to the completed scope.
Experience made visible
A closed item needs more than a handwritten tick
The useful outcome is a traceable record showing what observation was addressed, what work was completed and what electrical documentation supports it.
- Original observation and location retained.
- Remedial action described clearly.
- Affected work inspected and tested.
- Appropriate certificate or confirmation supplied.
Sources and scope
This guide explains the practical issues customers ask about. Regulations and official guidance can change, and the correct solution still depends on the property. The following primary sources were checked when this page was prepared:
EICR Testing Questions
Straight answers to the questions customers ask before arranging a survey or inspection.
Does a C2 make an EICR unsatisfactory?
Yes. An EICR containing a C1, C2 or FI outcome is unsatisfactory. The actual remedial work still depends on the observation and installation.
Does a C3 have to be repaired?
A C3 is an improvement recommendation and does not by itself make the report unsatisfactory. Customers may still choose to complete the improvement, especially alongside other work.
What happens when an inspector finds a C1?
The danger requires immediate action. Where possible the inspector should remove or isolate the immediate danger and record the action, while the permanent remedial scope is then arranged.
Is FI the same as a failed test?
FI means further investigation is required without delay because the inspection or testing has identified a concern that cannot be safely resolved from the available evidence. The investigation should define the condition and any remedial work.
Arrange Qualified EICR Testing
Tell us about the property, reason for the inspection, current report and any required completion date.
Survey First
We inspect the property and existing installation before specifying work.
Evidence-Led Scope
The quotation separates verified work from assumptions and optional improvements.
Tested Handover
The completed work is tested and documented for its actual scope.
Clear Next Step
You know what is included, what remains and who controls the finished system.