C1 means danger is present and needs immediate action.
C2 means potential danger and needs urgent action.
C3 means improvement recommended and is not automatically a fail.
FI means further investigation required without delay.
Azure Electrical carries out EICR inspection, testing and remedial work from Ashford across Kent, with suitable project-led work in London. When an EICR lands on a desk, caretakers, landlords, facilities teams and property managers usually scan the observation codes first.
That makes sense: the codes separate immediate danger from urgent repairs, planned improvements and issues that need more investigation.
EICR code comparison: meaning and priority
C1 — danger present: make safe immediately. A C1 observation makes the report unsatisfactory.
C2 — potentially dangerous: arrange urgent remedial work. A C2 observation makes the report unsatisfactory.
C3 — improvement recommended: plan the improvement sensibly. C3 alone does not make the report unsatisfactory.
FI — further investigation: investigate without delay because safety cannot yet be confirmed. FI makes the report unsatisfactory.
Important: examples are illustrative only. The correct code depends on the inspector’s assessment, the condition of the installation and the circumstances found on site.
What are EICR codes used for?
EICR codes record electrical observations by urgency. The IET’s inspection and testing guidance explains that observations must be recorded and coded according to their safety significance.
A useful report should also explain the observations clearly enough for the person responsible for the building to understand the risk and decide what happens next.
The four EICR codes explained
C1: Danger present — immediate action required
What it means: there is an immediate risk of injury. The affected circuit or area may need to be isolated until the danger is removed.
Illustrative example: accessible live parts that someone could touch. The precise code always depends on what the inspector finds.
What to do: make the situation safe, record the action taken and arrange the required repair. The NICEIC best-practice guide states that the client should be advised immediately and in writing when C1 is appropriate.
C2: Potentially dangerous — urgent action required
What it means: the issue may not present immediate danger, but it could become dangerous if a fault occurs or conditions change.
Illustrative example: inadequate protection where a foreseeable fault could expose people to danger. The inspector must judge the installation in context.
What to do: arrange urgent remedial work and prioritise the highest-risk areas first. On occupied sites, repairs can often be planned around access, operational needs and safe isolation.
C3: Improvement recommended — plan it
What it means: the installation is not considered unsafe on this point, but an improvement would enhance safety.
Illustrative example: clearer circuit identification or a protection upgrade that would improve the installation without correcting an immediate or potential danger.
What to do: include C3 items in planned maintenance or refurbishment work. GOV.UK guidance confirms that C3 is an improvement recommendation and does not, by itself, make a report unsatisfactory.
FI: Further investigation required — without delay
What it means: the inspection has identified a concern, but more investigation is required before safety can be confirmed.
Illustrative example: an inconclusive test result or concealed issue that cannot be assessed fully during the original inspection.
What to do: define a focused investigation, complete it without delay and then decide the remedial action from the findings. FI should not be left open-ended.
What should you do after receiving an EICR?
Step 1: Triage the report
List every C1, C2 and FI observation.
Record the affected area, circuit or distribution board.
Separate immediate safety action from repairs that need planning.
Step 2: Make the site safe
C1 means immediate danger. If isolation or another protective measure is required, it must be completed safely and communicated clearly. Keep a written record of what was made safe, when and by whom.
Step 3: Schedule C2 repairs and FI investigations
C2 observations need urgent remedial work. FI observations need a defined investigation without delay so the underlying risk can be confirmed and the correct repair specified.
For a fuller sequence covering scope, priorities, evidence and sign-off, read our practical guide to planning electrical remedial work after an EICR.
Step 4: Plan C3 improvements
C3 items can be built into planned maintenance, refurbishment or future upgrade work. Combining compatible jobs can reduce disruption and avoid repeated isolations or access visits.
What records should you keep?
A clear evidence trail helps facilities teams, landlords, schools and duty holders show what happened after the inspection. Keep:
the current EICR and any earlier report needed for context
a prioritised action list for C1, C2 and FI observations
quotes, instructions and agreed timescales
electrical certificates or written confirmation for completed remedial work
updated circuit schedules, labels and asset records where relevant
the outcome of every further investigation
The finished record should make it easy to answer three questions: what was found, what was done and what remains planned.
Why does EICR follow-up matter on occupied sites?
Schools, offices and commercial buildings often have restricted access, operational deadlines, sensitive areas and limited shutdown windows. A prioritised plan helps urgent safety work happen quickly while lower-risk work is scheduled around the people using the building.
Azure Electrical supports electrical compliance and remedial planning from Ashford across Kent, with suitable project-led work in London. For education estates, see our electrical services for schools and education settings.
Need help planning EICR remedial work?
If you have an EICR and need help turning its observations into a safe, prioritised programme, contact Azure Electrical. Send the report where possible so the team can review the codes, affected areas and access requirements before discussing the next step.