EICR· EICR Codes and Interpretation· Reviewed November 2026
What does a Code 1 on my EICR certificate mean and how urgent is it to fix?
Quick answer
A Code 1 on your EICR certificate means a Danger Present condition has been identified in your electrical installation. It is the most serious classification used by electricians and indicates an immediate risk of injury or death from electric shock or fire. The most common cause is exposed live conductors or a complete absence of earthing. You must not ignore a Code 1. Stop using the affected circuit immediately if you can do so safely, and contact a qualified electrician today. This is not something to delay or attempt to fix yourself.
🏠Homeowner view
If your EICR certificate has come back with a Code 1, it means the electrician who carried out the inspection found something genuinely dangerous in your home's electrics. Code 1 stands for Danger Present, and it is the highest severity rating on an Electrical Installation Condition Report.
What does it actually mean in plain terms?
The electrician has found a fault that poses an immediate risk of electric shock, burns, or fire. This is not a future concern or a minor issue that can wait. It is a live hazard existing right now.
Common reasons a Code 1 is issued include:
1. Exposed live conductors that anyone could accidentally touch.
2. A complete lack of earthing on the installation or on specific metalwork.
3. A fuse or circuit breaker that has failed and leaves a circuit with no overload protection whatsoever.
4. Water ingress directly into a consumer unit or live accessory.
5. Severe deterioration of cables leaving bare copper exposed.
What should you do right now?
Do not panic, but do act quickly. If the electrician who issued the report is still present, ask them to isolate the affected circuit before they leave. If you can identify the problem area, avoid using that circuit until it is repaired. Do not attempt to investigate or fix live electrical faults yourself under any circumstances.
Contact a registered electrician, ideally one registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or another Part P competent person scheme, and explain you have received a Code 1 on your EICR. Any reputable electrician will treat this as urgent.
How quickly does a Code 1 need to be fixed?
Immediately. There is no acceptable delay period for a Code 1. Unlike a Code 2, which should be addressed as soon as reasonably practicable, a Code 1 requires action without delay. Landlords have a legal duty to act on Code 1 findings before tenants can continue occupying the property. Homeowners are strongly advised to treat it with the same urgency.
Your insurance and mortgage provider may also take a dim view if a known Code 1 fault is left unaddressed and an incident occurs.
Once the remedial work is carried out by a qualified electrician, the fault should be retested to confirm it has been properly resolved, and your EICR should be updated accordingly.