EICR Testing for Schools, Academies & Multi-Academy Trusts
An Specialist electrical compliance for education environments – managed end-to-end by NICEIC-approved contractors.
Commercial EICR — Schools & Education
Electrical Compliance You Can Trust – Built Around How Schools Work
HM Electrical provides 100% EICR testing and full remedial support for schools, academies, multi-academy trusts, colleges, and nurseries across London. From the initial inspection through to completing any remedial works identified, we manage the entire process — giving your facilities team a single point of contact and full confidence in your compliance position.
We understand that maintaining electrical safety in a school environment comes with unique pressures: safeguarding obligations, Ofsted readiness, tight scheduling around term times, and the need to keep disruption to a minimum. That’s why we plan every inspection around your calendar, communicate clearly with leadership teams, and deliver reporting that’s genuinely useful — not just a stack of technical paperwork.
What Is a Commercial EICR?
A Commercial Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal assessment of the fixed electrical installation in a non-domestic building. It is carried out by a qualified electrician and tests the safety, condition, and compliance of all electrical circuits, wiring, protective devices, earthing, and bonding.
At the end of the inspection, you receive a formal EICR certificate classifying any issues found using a standard coding system:
- C1 — Danger present: an immediate hazard requiring urgent action. We will not leave a C1 issue unresolved without your knowledge.
- C2 — Potentially dangerous: a fault or condition that requires remedial action as soon as reasonably practicable (within 28 days for many regulated settings).
- C3 — Improvement recommended: not dangerous, but worth addressing to bring the installation up to current standards.
- FI — Further investigation: something that cannot be fully tested without additional work — we’ll explain this clearly if it applies.
If no issues are found, your installation is issued a Satisfactory result. If C1 or C2 issues are present, the installation is classed as Unsatisfactory until they are resolved.
Did You Know?
Electrical faults are one of the leading causes of fire in non-domestic buildings in the UK. For schools, where the safety of children and staff is paramount, a current EICR is not just good practice — it’s a fundamental part of your safeguarding and estates management responsibilities.
What’s Included in a School EICR?
Every EICR we carry out for schools and educational premises includes:
- 100% circuit testing — every circuit inspected, no sampling
- Full visual inspection of fixed electrical installations
- Testing of all protective devices including RCDs and circuit breakers
- Assessment of earthing and bonding adequacy
- Identification of damage, deterioration, or unsafe wiring
- Checks for exposed conductors and fire risk conditions
- Inspection of sockets, switches, light fittings, and distribution boards
- Classification of all issues (C1, C2, C3) in line with BS 7671 Wiring Regulations
- Formal EICR certificate issued on completion
- Clear, jargon-free report suitable for governors, trustees, insurers, and leadership teams
- No-obligation quote for any remedial works identified
EICR Legal Requirements for Schools
Schools and educational establishments have a duty under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to maintain electrical systems in a safe condition. The IET Code of Practice recommends that commercial and educational premises are inspected at least every 5 years, or when there is reason to believe the installation may have deteriorated.
For academy trusts and local authority-maintained schools, compliance with electrical safety standards is increasingly scrutinised during Ofsted inspections and estate audits. An up-to-date EICR from a NICEIC-approved contractor is one of the most straightforward ways to demonstrate that your site is properly maintained.
Failure to maintain electrical compliance can result in:
- Invalidated insurance policies
- Personal liability for headteachers, trustees, and governors
- Enforcement action from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Risk of electrical fire or injury to staff and pupils.
Why Schools Choose HM Electrical
- NICEIC Approved — fully qualified for commercial and educational environments. Our accreditation gives your school, trust, or local authority the assurance that inspection and remedial work meets the highest industry standards.
- 100% circuit testing as standard — no sampling, no shortcuts. Every circuit in your building is inspected, so your EICR reflects the true condition of your electrical installation — essential for due diligence and insurance compliance.
- Full remedial capability — one contractor from inspection through to completion. If faults are identified, we carry out the remedial works ourselves. No need to manage multiple contractors or hand off to a third party.
- DBS-checked electricians — every member of our team is DBS checked and experienced in working professionally and discreetly in live school environments, minimising disruption to staff and pupils.
- Multi-site experience — we work regularly with multi-academy trusts and academy groups to coordinate inspections across multiple schools, keeping reporting consistent and management simple.
- Flexible scheduling — we plan all inspections around term times, school holidays, or after-hours windows — whatever minimises disruption for your staff, pupils, and wider school community.
- Clear reporting — our EICR reports are written to be understood, not just filed. They’re suitable for sharing with school governors, trustees, facilities managers, local authorities, and insurers.
- Serving schools across London & Surrey — from primary schools and nurseries to large secondary academies and further education colleges, we cover the full range of educational settings.
Frequently Asked Questions – EICR Testing for Schools
The IET Code of Practice recommends that educational buildings are inspected every 5 years. However, if significant electrical work has been carried out, or there are concerns about the condition of the installation, an inspection should be arranged sooner. We can advise on the appropriate frequency for your specific premises.
Yes. We’re experienced in working in live school environments and plan our inspections carefully to minimise disruption. Many areas of a school can be tested with minimal impact on day-to-day operations, and we can phase testing across different zones if needed.
Yes. Every member of our team who works on school sites holds a valid DBS check. We are used to working in safeguarding-aware environments and always conduct ourselves professionally.
Absolutely. We regularly work with multi-academy trusts to coordinate EICR inspections across multiple schools, providing consistent reporting and a single point of contact for the estates or finance team. We can also phase the programme across an academic year to manage budgets.
Any C1 (danger present) issues will be brought to your attention immediately and addressed as a priority. C2 (potentially dangerous) and C3 (recommended improvement) items are clearly documented in the report. We provide a no-obligation quote for all remedial works and can carry them out ourselves — so you’re never left having to find a separate contractor.
Pricing depends on the size of the premises, the number of circuits, and the complexity of the electrical installation. We provide transparent, no-obligation quotes with no hidden costs. Contact us for a tailored quote for your school or trust.
Schools are legally obligated under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 to maintain electrical systems in a safe condition. While there is no single law specifying the exact interval, regular EICR inspection is the accepted industry standard for demonstrating compliance, and is typically required by insurers and expected as part of estates governance.
Education Settings We Work With
We carry out EICR inspections and remedial electrical works for a broad range of educational premises across London and Surrey, including:
- Primary schools — local authority maintained and academies
- Secondary schools and high schools
- Free schools
- Academies and multi-academy trusts (MATs)
- Special educational needs (SEN) schools
- Sixth forms and further education colleges
- Private and independent schools
- Nurseries and early years settings
- University and higher education buildings
Get a Free EICR Quote for Your School
Whether you’re a facilities manager at a single school, an estates director across a multi-academy trust, or a bursar responsible for compliance — we’re here to make EICR simple, reliable, and properly managed.
Contact HM Electrical today to discuss your school’s inspection requirements and receive a no-obligation quote.