You’ve had your EICR back and it’s covered in codes. Some say C2, some say C3, there might be an FI or two, and the front page says satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Here’s what each code actually means, which ones matter, and what to do next.
C1: Danger present
A C1 means there’s a real and immediate risk of injury, such as exposed live parts someone could touch. A good inspector won’t just write it down and leave. They’ll make it safe there and then, usually by isolating the circuit or equipment, and tell the person responsible straight away. Any C1 makes the report unsatisfactory.
C2: Potentially dangerous
A C2 isn’t an immediate danger, but it could become one if a fault occurred. Typical examples are missing earthing or bonding, sockets that could be used outdoors without RCD protection, or a damaged accessory. C2s need putting right urgently, and any C2 makes the report unsatisfactory.
C3: Improvement recommended
A C3 is something that doesn’t meet the current edition of the regulations but isn’t dangerous as it stands, often because the installation was built to an older standard. C3s don’t make a report unsatisfactory. They’re worth planning in, especially when you’re doing other work, but they aren’t a fail.
FI: Further investigation required
An FI means the inspector found something they couldn’t fully confirm during the test, for example a circuit they couldn’t trace or a reading that needs looking into. Since Amendment 4 to BS 7671 came into force on 15 October 2026, an FI no longer makes a report unsatisfactory on its own. It’s still worth investigating, because until someone looks, you don’t know whether it’s harmless or hiding a C2.
So what makes an EICR unsatisfactory?
- Unsatisfactory: one or more C1 or C2 observations.
- Satisfactory: no C1s or C2s. You can still have C3s and FIs on a satisfactory report.
What to do next
If your report is unsatisfactory, get the C1s and C2s put right and ask for a remedial certificate to show they’ve been done. Your insurer, landlord or letting agent will usually want to see it. On our remedial quotes we price C2s and FIs separately, so you can see exactly what you need to do to get a satisfactory result and what we’d strongly recommend on top.
Martin Cook Electrical Services has been carrying out EICRs and fixed wire testing since 1998, for offices, schools, warehouses, landlords and data centres across London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. Request a free quote or call us on 01525 582582.
EICRs across our area
We carry out EICRs and landlord electrical safety certificates across London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire, including: EICR Milton Keynes · EICR Leighton Buzzard · EICR Luton · EICR Bedford · EICR Aylesbury · EICR Watford · EICR St Albans · EICR Hemel Hempstead · EICR High Wycombe · EICR Northampton · EICR Berkhamsted · EICR Buckingham · EICR Wendover · EICR Woburn · EICR London · EICR Central London · EICR North London.
