In early October 2026, an urgent prohibition notice was issued following a fire at Crown House Flats on Bodfor Street, Rhyl. The notice prohibited the building from being used for sleeping or resting because of serious risks to people.
The incident is a practical reminder for landlords, property managers, freeholders, leaseholders and letting agents across Denbighshire, Conwy and North Wales: electrical safety, fire protection and escape routes need to be managed together, and records need to be current.
What happened at Crown House?
Reports state the fire was accidental and caused considerable damage. The prohibition notice identified several serious problems: the electrical supply had been isolated after the fire, the fire alarm system was damaged and without power, and residents would not automatically be alerted to a fire. The notice also identified concerns with safe escape, escape-route protection and the condition of doors opening onto communal areas.
The reporting does not establish that an electrical fault caused the fire. The isolation of the supply and the damage to the alarm were among the conditions identified after the fire. Keep that distinction clear when reviewing the incident.
A prohibition notice is an enforcement measure used when an authority considers the risk to people serious enough to restrict or prohibit use of premises. At Crown House, the notice prohibited sleeping or resting in the building until the specified risks were addressed. The exact terms of a notice depend on the premises and the risks identified.
Read the Rhyl Journal report on the Crown House prohibition notice.
Why converted buildings need careful inspection
Older buildings converted into flats may have installations and communal systems that have changed over time. Alterations, repairs, added circuits and changing use can leave defects that are not obvious from a quick look. Electrical faults are one possible source of ignition, but no single inspection can eliminate every fire risk.
A competent electrical inspection can help identify issues such as damaged equipment, deterioration, unsuitable alterations, overloaded circuits, inadequate earthing or bonding, and problems with protective devices. It should also consider the agreed inspection scope and any areas that could not be accessed.
Electrical safety is only one part of the picture. A building’s fire risk also depends on alarms and detection, fire doors, escape routes, emergency lighting, smoke control and the condition of fire-resisting walls and floors.
What an EICR checks
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) records the results of an inspection and testing of a fixed electrical installation. It is more than a visual check. Depending on the agreed scope, a contractor may inspect the consumer unit, wiring, circuits, sockets, switches, fixed equipment, earthing and bonding, and protective devices. Testing helps assess whether circuits and safety measures operate as intended.
A visual inspection can identify visible damage, signs of overheating or poor workmanship. It cannot confirm the condition of concealed cables or establish how every part of an installation performs under test. Proper testing adds that evidence, while the report should document any agreed limitations.
An EICR does not assess every fire-safety feature in a block. It does not replace a fire risk assessment, a fire alarm inspection, an emergency lighting test or a check of fire doors and escape routes.
Understanding EICR codes
EICR observations use codes to communicate the seriousness of a finding:
- C1 – Danger present: immediate danger that needs urgent attention to make the installation safe.
- C2 – Potentially dangerous: a serious defect requiring remedial work.
- C3 – Improvement recommended: an improvement is advised, but the observation alone does not usually make the report unsatisfactory.
- FI – Further investigation: more investigation is needed before the issue can be properly assessed.
Reports with C1 or C2 findings are generally unsatisfactory. Treat an FI as unresolved: arrange the recommended investigation and confirm what action is needed. Testing identifies defects; it does not carry out the remedial work. Agree the repairs separately, then obtain written confirmation of the work completed.
Inspection intervals and records
In Wales, landlords must ensure a valid electrical condition report is in place during each period of occupation. The inspection interval is no more than five years, or shorter if the report requires an earlier inspection. The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022 set out the requirements for rented dwellings.
The Welsh Government’s landlord guidance explains what electrical inspection and testing covers. For communal fixed installations, the Welsh Government’s guide to making small blocks of flats safe from fire advises inspection and testing by a competent person at least every five years. The right interval for other buildings and installations depends on their circumstances and competent advice.
Keep copies of EICRs, remedial certificates, fire risk assessments, fire alarm service records, emergency lighting test results and maintenance records. Record dates, defects, actions, responsible persons and completion evidence. Good records help managing agents and owners track open issues and demonstrate follow-up.
Review fire risk and communal systems
A fire risk assessment (FRA) should be reviewed regularly and when a significant event or change may affect risk. A fire, electrical isolation, building works, changes to the escape route or a system alteration should prompt a review. Check whether existing controls still work and whether the evacuation strategy remains appropriate. The responsible person retains responsibility for fire safety even when a competent assessor or contractor is engaged.
Do not assume every block needs the same communal fire alarm arrangement. In some properly compartmented blocks designed for a “stay put” strategy, a communal alarm may conflict with the intended approach. Other buildings may need a communal alarm or a different evacuation strategy. Seek competent fire-safety advice before installing, removing or changing a system.
Emergency lighting should be suitable for the building and the escape route. For small blocks within its scope, the Welsh Government guide recommends a short functional test each month and a full three-hour duration test annually by a competent contractor. Keep a record of results and arrange repairs where a test identifies a failure. Requirements depend on the building and its fire risk assessment.
What to do after a fire or electrical isolation
Use a planned, documented process. Do not simply restore power or assume an alarm will operate after repairs.
- Follow the fire authority’s instructions. Check any notice and restrictions that apply to the property.
- Arrange competent electrical inspection. Assess fire-affected circuits and equipment before restoring the supply.
- Check life-safety systems. Have the fire alarm and emergency lighting inspected and tested, and confirm the system is suitable for the building’s strategy.
- Review the FRA. Record changes to hazards, escape arrangements and protection measures.
- Separate inspection from remediation. Commission repairs for defects, then obtain written confirmation and any required test results.
- Update records and communicate. Keep owners, residents, agents and relevant duty-holders informed about restrictions, completed work and next steps.
These are practical steps, not legal advice. Building circumstances and responsibilities differ. Seek appropriate professional or legal guidance where necessary.
Work with a competent contractor
Choose a contractor who can explain the inspection scope, identify limitations, record findings clearly and distinguish the report from the remedial work. For blocks of flats, coordinate electrical inspections with fire-safety specialists and property managers so that faults affecting shared systems are not overlooked.
Dragon provides electrical inspection and testing, remedial works, fire alarm systems and emergency lighting services across North Wales and beyond. Dragon’s NICEIC and SSAIB accreditations are company credentials. We offer free surveys to help establish the site requirements and appropriate next steps.
Electrical testing services are scoped to the property and the work required. Where applicable, starting prices are £499.99 + VAT, subject to terms and conditions and confirmation of scope. Ask us to confirm suitability for your property.
Arrange a free survey
If you manage a rental property, converted building or communal area, check when the fixed installation was last inspected and whether reports identify outstanding work. Contact Dragon Security & Electrical Ltd on 01492 330330 to discuss EICR North Wales requirements, commercial electricians, fire alarm systems or emergency lighting testing.
Sources
- North Wales Fire and Rescue Service prohibition notice report, via Rhyl Journal
- Welsh Government landlord guidance on electrical inspections
- Welsh Government fire-safety guide for small blocks of flats
- Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022
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