Classification Codes in Electrical Reports (C1, C2, C3)

Ensuring Safety & Compliance

Any electrical installation should be safe for continued use, and testing from contractors like ourselves ensures full safety and peace of mind. In practice, if the report does not require investigative or remedial work, the property owner or landlord will not be required to carry out any further work.

Inspectors will use the following classification codes to indicate where a landlord must undertake remedial work.

• Code 1 (C1): Danger present. Risk of injury. The electrical inspector may make any C1 hazards safe before leaving the property.
• Code 2 (C2): Potentially dangerous.
• Further Investigation (FI): Further investigation required without delay.
• Code 3 (C3): Improvement recommended. Further remedial work is not required for the report to be deemed satisfactory.

If the codes C1 or C2 are identified on the report, then remedial work will be required. The report will state the installation is unsatisfactory for continued use. If an inspector identifies that further investigative work is required (FI), the landlord must also ensure this is carried out for the tenants safety.

The C3 classification code does not indicate remedial work is required, only that improvement is recommended. Landlords don’t have to make the improvement, but it would improve the safety and efficiency of the installation if they did.