Sector guide
Care Home Compliance Documentation
The electrical compliance records a care home should hold — EICRs, PAT logs, emergency-lighting and fire-alarm records, and remedial evidence for CQC and duty holders.
A care home operator has to show — to CQC, to insurers and to itself — that its electrical installation is safe and well-managed. Compliance documentation is that evidence: the record that inspection, testing, maintenance and remedial work are all done and up to date. The registered manager is usually the duty holder responsible for keeping it.
What to hold
- The current EICR and any Electrical Installation Certificates.
- Portable appliance inspection and test records (common risks).
- Emergency lighting logbook and test records.
- Fire alarm logbook and servicing records.
- An asset register of boards, circuits and safety systems, including critical circuits.
- Remedial evidence — completion certificates for any remedial works.
Why it matters
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require a safe, maintained installation, and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 underpins the safety systems. For CQC, this documentation supports the "safe" and "well-led" domains — inspectors expect to see it readily available.
Keeping it usable
- Centralise it so any manager can retrieve current status quickly.
- Track due dates on a compliance calendar so nothing lapses.
- Link records to assets so each system's history is clear.
Kept this way, the documentation turns scattered certificates into a live, auditable picture of the home's electrical compliance — ready whenever CQC or a duty holder asks.
Frequently asked questions
What electrical records does a care home need for CQC?
The current EICR and any installation certificates, PAT records, emergency-lighting and fire-alarm logbooks and service records, an asset register, and evidence of completed remedial works. Together these show the duty to maintain a safe installation is met — part of demonstrating a safe, well-led service.
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Structured registers of electrical assets to underpin planning and compliance.
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Learn moreThis article provides general guidance and distinguishes legislation, British Standards and good practice. It is not legal advice. Always confirm the specific duties applying to your property and tenure.