Amendment 2 to BS 7671 (18th Edition), effective from 28 September 2022, significantly extended the requirement for RCD protection. All socket outlets up to 32A in care homes now require RCD protection, and all lighting circuits in locations containing a bath or shower must be RCD-protected.
Why this matters
Many care homes had their wiring installed or last tested before Amendment 2. EICRs completed before September 2022 will not flag the absence of RCD protection on circuits that are now required to have it. This creates a gap between compliance with the EICR and compliance with current standards.
What to do
- 1Ask your EICR contractor to confirm whether the last assessment was carried out to BS 7671 18th Edition Amendment 2 if not, commission a supplementary review of RCD provision.
- 2Check consumer units and distribution boards: any socket circuit without RCD protection serving a care area should be flagged as a C2 or C3 observation depending on location.
- 3Prioritise RCD retrofit for any circuits in wet locations (bathrooms, sluice rooms, assisted bathrooms) where the absence of protection is a life-safety issue.
- 4Retain a record of all RCD upgrades with date, location and the contractor sign-off.
Primary source
IET BS 7671 18th Edition Amendment 2 Overview
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