Electrical Inspection

A Code 1 (C1) observation means ‘ Danger present. Risk of injury. Immediate remedial action required.’

A C1 represents an immediate threat to safety and should be rectified or made safe as soon as possible.

An example of a C1 defect would be accessible live conductors due to damage, poorly modified enclosures or removed maintenance panels. Incorrect polarity would also attract a code C1 as it may allow conductive parts, not normally expected to be live, to become live.

C1 is an immediate threat to safety the inspector will inform the duty holder or landlord for the installation immediately, both verbally and in writing, of the risk of injury that exists. Access to the faulty circuit may even be blocked or turned off until the defect is fixed

A Code 2 (C2) is not as severe as a C1 but is still a potentially dangerous defect. It may not pose an immediate threat but is likely to become a danger in the future. A C2 is ‘Potentially dangerous – urgent remedial action required.’

The phrase “potentially dangerous”, in the C2 code is to point towards a risk of injury from contact with live parts after a sequence of events. A series of events could mean that an individual may gain access to live parts through a day to day task that would not usually be expected

Code 3 ‘Improvement recommended.’

Meaning something has been identified which does not comply with the latest regulations but is not dangerous. For example, the installation may not comply with the current version of the regulations or may have damaged fittings which do not have exposed live parts. A code C3, in itself, should not warrant an overall unsatisfactory report.

You will need to address C1, C2 and FI faults on your report to achieve compliance with electrical safety regulations. However, it’s always good practice and usually well worthwhile considering rectifying all faults on site. Remember you aren’t obliged to use the same electrical contractor to test and to carry out remedial repairs. You do not need to have the whole installation re-tested after the repairs, but you should obtain a certificate for the changed elements.

An observation code FI ‘ Further investigation required without delay.‘ for example, your electrical testing engineer has observed something carrying out the testing, for instance, circuit protective conductor high measured resistance possible loose connection.

Code 3 ‘Improvement recommended.’

Meaning something has been identified which does not comply with the latest regulations but is not dangerous. For example, the installation may not comply with the current version of the regulations or may have damaged fittings which do not have exposed live parts. A code C3, in itself, should not warrant an overall unsatisfactory report.

You will need to address C1, C2 and FI faults on your report to achieve compliance with electrical safety regulations. However, it’s always good practice and usually well worthwhile considering rectifying all faults on site. Remember you aren’t obliged to use the same electrical contractor to test and to carry out remedial repairs. You do not need to have the whole installation re-tested after the repairs, but you should obtain a certificate for the changed elements.

An observation code FI ‘ Further investigation required without delay.‘ for example, your electrical testing engineer has observed something carrying out the testing, for instance, circuit protective conductor high measured resistance possible loose connection.