EICR codes explained: C1, C2, C3 and FI
Every observation on an Electrical Installation Condition Report carries one of four classification codes (BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 model form, Section K). The code tells the person responsible for the installation how urgent the remedial action is.
C1 — Danger present. Risk of injury. Immediate remedial action required.
Users are at risk now. Typical examples: exposed live parts at a broken accessory, a socket or switch that can be touched live, conductors accessible without tools, equipment still energised with a burnt or arcing connection.
Wherever practicable the inspector should make it safe on discovery; if that is not possible, the person ordering the work gets urgent written notification.
C2 — Potentially dangerous. Urgent remedial action required.
The installation may become dangerous, or does not provide the required protection. Typical examples: no RCD protection for socket-outlets or other circuits requiring additional protection, absent or ineffective main protective bonding, undersized or damaged earthing conductor, a consumer unit with damaged enclosure or signs of thermal damage, absent polarity confirmation.
C2 items must be rectified as a matter of urgency — for landlords that feeds the 28-day written-confirmation duty.
C3 — Improvement recommended.
Safe for continued use, but not to the full current edition of BS 7671. Typical examples: bonding conductor sizes below today's Table 54.8 values, missing RCD six-monthly test notice, older accessories with no RCD where the exception is permitted, labelling gaps.
C3 codes do not make the report Unsatisfactory. An installation with only C3s is Satisfactory — treat them as a punch list, not a defect.
FI — Further investigation required without delay.
The inspection revealed an apparent deficiency that could not be fully identified because of the agreed extent and limitations — and which could reveal a C1 or C2 once examined. Typical examples: a circuit that cannot be traced, suspected concealed cable damage in a zone that could not be verified, an inaccessible consumer unit interior.
FI always results in an Unsatisfactory assessment, because the inspector could not verify the installation fully.
Other marks you will see on the schedules
| Mark | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ✓ (tick) | Acceptable condition — item inspected and compliant. |
| N/V | Not verified — the item could not be verified (e.g. concealed cables within agreed limitations). |
| LIM | Limitation — inspection limited by the agreed extent in Section D. |
| N/A | Not applicable — e.g. no earth electrode present. |
| X | Used on intake equipment (Section 1) where an inadequacy is found — must be backed by a comment in Section K. |
The Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory rule
It is binary — there is no weighting or averaging:
- Any C1, C2 or FI anywhere in the report (observations or inspection schedule) → UNSATISFACTORY.
- Only C3s, N/V, LIM, N/A and ticks → SATISFACTORY.
Landlord duties after an Unsatisfactory report
- Book the further investigation (FI) or remedial work (C1/C2) promptly — C1 first.
- Provide the tenant and the person ordering the work with written confirmation within 28 days that the further investigation or repair has been done.
- Keep evidence with the report until the next inspection is due.