The short answer
An EICR records any issues against a code. C1 means danger is present — an immediate risk of injury, requiring urgent action. C2 means potentially dangerous — not an immediate threat but could become one under fault conditions, so it needs putting right. C3 means improvement recommended — not dangerous, just an upgrade that would improve safety. There is also FI, further investigation, used where something needs deeper assessment. A report is marked unsatisfactory if any C1, C2 or significant FI is recorded, and remedial work is needed before it can pass; a report with only C3 items can still be satisfactory.
The codes are the heart of an EICR — they tell you whether the installation is safe and what, if anything, needs doing. Here is what each one means in plain terms.
The EICR codes
- C1danger present — urgent action
- C2potentially dangerous — must fix
- C3improvement recommended
- FIfurther investigation needed
- Satisfactory ifno C1, C2 or significant FI
What each code means
- C1 — danger present: an immediate risk of injury, such as exposed live parts. It needs action straight away; a competent electrician will usually make it safe before leaving.
- C2 — potentially dangerous: not live-dangerous right now, but it could become a hazard under certain fault conditions, so it must be put right.
- C3 — improvement recommended: not dangerous and does not fail the report; it flags where the installation could be brought up to a better, more modern standard.
- FI — further investigation: something the inspector cannot fully resolve on the day and that needs deeper assessment.
Satisfactory or unsatisfactory
The overall result turns on the codes. A report is unsatisfactory if it records any C1 or C2, or significant FI items, meaning remedial work is required before the installation can be considered compliant. A report with only C3 observations is satisfactory — those are recommendations, not failures. For landlords, an unsatisfactory result triggers a duty to carry out the remedial work within the timescale the report sets.
| Code | Meaning | Effect on result |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | danger present | unsatisfactory — urgent |
| C2 | potentially dangerous | unsatisfactory — must fix |
| C3 | improvement recommended | can still be satisfactory |
| FI | further investigation | may be unsatisfactory |
General guidance on BS 7671 EICR coding. Sources: trade and electrician guidance.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a C1, C2 and C3 on an EICR?
C1 means danger is present and needs urgent action. C2 means potentially dangerous and must be put right. C3 means an improvement is recommended but is not dangerous. C1 or C2 makes a report unsatisfactory; a C3-only report can still pass.
Does a C3 fail an EICR?
No. C3 is improvement recommended, not a danger, so an EICR with only C3 observations is still recorded as satisfactory. It is a flagged upgrade rather than a fault to fix before the report can pass.
What does FI mean on an EICR?
FI stands for further investigation. It is used where the inspector finds something that needs deeper assessment than the inspection can resolve on the day. Significant FI items can lead to an unsatisfactory result until they are looked into.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific property. They are guidance, not a quotation. Legal duties are summarised for guidance — confirm the current position on GOV.UK.