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DIY Electrical Works - is it worth it, and how does Part P affect me?
So what's changed?
Consider the dramatic increase over the last 10 to 15 years of
electrical equipment in the home such as:
Bathrooms - low voltage lighting, electric showers,
under-floor heating (popular in bathrooms with tiled floors).
Entertainment systems - computer systems, videos,
televisions', (every child's bedroom seems to have a system
nowadays).
Bedrooms - electric blankets, hair dryers, hair tongs.
Kitchens - dishwashers, tumble dryers, freezers,
microwaves, blenders, sandwich makers. Gardens - lawn
mowers, hedge trimmers, pond pumps and lighting.
Is it any wonder, then, that each year on average there are 10
deaths, 750 serious injuries and 12,500 fires caused either by
faulty electrical work carried out by ambitious DIY enthusiasts,
"cowboy" electricians or deteriorating electrical installations?
As such, electrical work with a few minor exceptions carried
out in the home is being regulated as part of the Building
Regulations under Part P and is effective from the 1st of
January 2005.
Failure to comply with Part P of the Building Regulations is a
criminal offence and could result in the order by the
local authority to remove or put right faulty workmanship and
fine you up to £5000.00. It could also make it difficult to sell
your property in the future.
Will anybody find out if I carry out some electrical work? I
can say it was done before January 2005.
If the work involves the installation of cable you can be easily
found out because since January 2005 the colours of the cores of
the cable has changed. Live is now brown (previously red),
neutral is now blue (previously black) and earth remains the
same (green/yellow)
What is the scope of Part P?
·Dwellings
·Outbuildings, sheds, garages and greenhouses
·Garden lighting and power supplies (pond pumps etc.)
·Common areas in blocks of flats - stairways, laundries
etc but not lifts
·Combined business premises and dwellings having a common
supply (pubs, shops etc.)
How can I comply with Part P?
You will not need to notify the Building Control Officer
to comply with Part P if you employ a contractor or an
electrician who is accredited with a self certifying scheme
(belongs to either the N.I.C.E.I.C, E.C.A or other accredited
service scheme).
The accredited contractor or electrician will notify their
accreditation service of the notifiable electrical work
completed by the application of a form (normally done on the
"Web"). The accreditation service will then notify the relevant
Building Control Officer of all notifiable works carried out in
his area (normally on a monthly basis) who will then inform you
that he has the required notification.
You must receive from the contractor or electrician a Minor
Works Certificate if the work entails a replacement part or an
alteration of a circuit.
OR
An Electrical Installation Certificate if the works entail a
complete installation in the case of a new build, a re-wire of a
existing electrical installation, the addition of a new circuit,
or a major alteration as in the case of replacing a fuse board.
The certificate must be sent to you within a reasonable time of
the completed works - one month. The certification and any data
must be kept safe, as this maybe required before any future
works are carried out or will be required when you sell the
property.
If you decide that you are competent or employ a person who is
competent by either experience or formal qualifications and not
engage an accredited contractor or electrician then you must
inform the Building Control Officer before commencement of the
work. The Building Control Officer will inspect the completed
work.
Depending on the authority, the Building Control Officer will
need a completed certificate as part of British Standard 7671
(I.E.E Regulations) and may insist upon an inspection by an
accredited contractor or electrician who will supply a Periodic
Inspection Report.
This will of course entail a charge for the inspection by the
Building Control Officer, which, depending on the local
authority can range from £50.00 for a minor notifiable job to
several hundreds of pounds for a major notifiable job. If the
Building Control Officer also insists upon an inspection by an
accredited contractor or electrician with the supplying of a
Periodic Inspection Report, this will also of course entail a
charge.
In reality, most Building Control Officers are not qualified to
inspect the work and as such, will try to dissuade you from
carrying out the work; hence the disproportionate charges and
the probable requirement of a Periodic Inspection Report. If you
do carry out the work yourself and it is acceptable to your
local authority, it remains to be seen whether will be
acceptable when you come to sell your property.
Therefore, if you are trying to save money on the labour content
of the work, it will probably be false economy.
If I do decide to carry out the work myself, can an
accredited contractor or electrician certify the work for me,
hence saving me the hassle and cost for the Building Control
Officer?
No - An accredited contractor or electrician cannot
certify work carried out by anybody else, as he cannot inspect
the full extent of the wiring especially where it is hidden in
the fabric of the building. The only thing he can provide is a
Periodic Inspection Report - which is a formal inspection of the
wiring system but does not include an inspection of wiring
within the fabric of the building i.e. under floors etc. The
Periodic Inspection Report is not a certificate. As such
it will not comply with Part P although as above, some
authorities may insist on one if you carry out the work yourself.
I want to replace a broken socket - are you saying I need to
notify or employ somebody that is accredited (Government
approved)?
No - for example you can replace existing accessories or
replace a damaged cable with like (type and size).
The requirement of whether work is notifiable or not depends on
the nature of the work and very importantly, its location.
Location is important because some locations e.g. bathrooms,
gardens and kitchens could have an increased shock risk!
The information below shows examples of what is notifiable and
which is not. The list is not exhaustive and should the work
required not fall into any of the categories below or you have
any doubt I would strongly urge that you seek advice from a
Building Control Officer or an accredited contractor or
electrician.
You must be aware that the requirements of the Building
Regulations apply to all work carried out irrespective of
whether they are notifiable or not.
Areas within a kitchen, bathroom, garden or special
location
NOTIFIABLE: A complete new installation or rewiring
Installing a new circuit (eg, for socket outlets, lighting or
shower) Fitting and connecting a shower to an existing point
Replacing a fuse board Adding a socket outlet to an existing
circuit Adding a lighting point to an existing circuit Fitting a
storage heater to an existing adjacent point Installing a supply
to a garden shed, garage or other outbuilding Installing a
lighting point or socket outlet in a garden shed, garage or
other outbuilding Installing a garden pond pump including the
supply Installing electric under floor or ceiling heating
Installing an electricity generator
NOT NOTIFIABLE: Connecting a cooker to an existing
connection unit Replacing a damaged cable for a single circuit
(cable to be the same size and type and installed as original)
Replacing a damaged accessory such as a light switch or socket
outlet Replacing a light fitting Connecting an item of equipment
to an existing adjacent connection point Fitting a storage
heater to an existing adjacent point Replacing an immersion
heater
Areas not in a kitchen, bathroom, garden or special
location
NOTIFIABLE: A complete new installation or rewiring
Installing a new circuit e.g. for socket outlets, lighting or
shower Replacing a fuse board Installing a lighting point or
socket outlet outdoors Installing and fitting a storage heater
including the circuit Installing electric under floor or ceiling
heating Installing an electricity generator
NOT NOTIFIABLE: Adding a socket outlet to an existing
circuit Adding a lighting point to an existing circuit
Connecting a cooker to an existing connection unit Replacing a
damaged cable for a single circuit (cable to be the same size
and type and installed as original) Replacing a damaged
accessory such as a light switch or socket outlet Replacing a
light fitting Connecting an item of equipment to an existing
adjacent connection point Fitting a storage heater to an
existing adjacent point Replacing an immersion heater
About the author:
About the Author: Electrical Testing Surveyors Ltd are a
well established and fully qualified electrical installation and
portable appliance testing company, able to provide testing to
companies and organisations all over the UK. You can reach them
at info@electrical-testi
ng.co.uk and find more information on their website.
Electrical Testing Surveyors Ltd
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