EICR Codes Explained: C1, C2 and C3

When your EICR comes back with a list of coded observations, it can be hard to know what you're looking at. C1, C2, C3 — what do these actually mean, which ones need to be dealt with immediately, and what happens if you're a landlord with a 28-day remedial deadline? Here's a clear breakdown.

The EICR Coding System

Every finding in an Electrical Installation Condition Report is assigned a code that reflects its severity. The codes come from the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) and are standardised across the industry. Any qualified electrician producing an EICR must use this system.

C1 — Danger Present

A C1 observation means there is an immediate risk of injury or death. This is the most serious classification and requires immediate action. Where possible, the inspecting electrician is expected to make the situation safe before leaving the property. If the danger can't be made safe immediately, the supply to that circuit should be isolated.

Examples of C1 faults in Greenwich properties include:

• Live exposed conductors that can be touched
• Missing earth connections to metalwork that could become live
• Serious damage to consumer units where live parts are accessible
• Overloaded circuits with clear signs of burning or arcing

A C1 makes the overall EICR result Unsatisfactory. For landlords, this must be remedied within 28 days (or sooner if the electrician has indicated it's urgent).

C2 — Potentially Dangerous

A C2 observation means the fault doesn't pose an immediate risk but could become dangerous. The most common examples in older Greenwich properties are:

• No RCD protection on circuits serving sockets or bathrooms
• Plastic consumer units (metal enclosures are now required under the 18th Edition)
• Absence of main protective bonding to gas and water services
• Damaged or deteriorated wiring insulation that isn't an immediate risk but is degrading
• Inadequate earthing arrangements

A C2 also makes the EICR result Unsatisfactory. Landlords have 28 days to carry out remedial works. A common C2 result for properties in the SE postcode areas is an old consumer unit with no RCD protection — this almost always requires replacement.

C3 — Improvement Recommended

A C3 is an observation that doesn't meet current standards but is not considered dangerous. It represents a recommendation for improvement rather than a requirement. A C3 alone does not make an EICR result Unsatisfactory — the report can still be Satisfactory even with multiple C3 observations.

Typical C3 observations include:

• Sockets without RCD protection on older circuits that predate the requirement but are otherwise in good condition
• Single-pole switching on lighting circuits (where earth continuity is maintained)
• Absence of supplementary bonding in bathrooms where earth continuity is evidenced through the pipework

There's no legal obligation to act on C3s. However, it's usually worth addressing them if you're having other electrical work done at the same time, as it often adds very little to the cost.

FI — Further Investigation Required

An FI code means the inspector couldn't fully assess an aspect of the installation during the inspection. This might be because wiring is concealed in walls, there's limited access, or test results are inconclusive. An FI doesn't automatically make the EICR unsatisfactory, but the issue must be investigated further before a full assessment can be made.

What Happens After an Unsatisfactory Result?

If your EICR comes back Unsatisfactory due to C1 or C2 findings, you'll need remedial works. We'll go through the report with you, explain what's needed and provide a fixed price for all the work. Once completed, we'll issue an Electrical Installation Certificate and, if required, re-inspect and re-issue the EICR as Satisfactory.

For landlords in Greenwich with a 28-day deadline, we aim to schedule remedial works within a few days of the initial inspection. Message us on WhatsApp with your postcode and we'll confirm availability.