What is this “Part P”?

 

 

Part “P” is the latest addition to the Building Regulations and covers the electrical installation of a domestic dwelling. It is designed to ensure that all work is done in full compliance with BS 7671 IEE Wiring Regulations Sixteenth Edition by qualified and competent Persons

In fact, according to Government statistics, every year 5 deaths and over 500 injuries are caused by faulty electrical installations in the home. Add to this 12,500 fires caused by electrical faults, resulting in 25 deaths, and 590 injuries every year, and it is not difficult to see why an electrical safety law needs to be enforced.

From January the 1st 2005, a new Law came into force affecting the domestic market (your home). This Law states “It will be a legal requirement for electricians, kitchen fitters, landscapers, bathroom and gas installers, and all other trades involved in carrying out domestic electrical work, to comply with Part P of the Building Regulations”.

What does this mean to you?

You as the homeowner have a responsibility to make sure that the contractor you employ to work in your property is qualified and meets the requirements of the new government legislation. Hopefully, you wouldn’t ask an unqualified person to fit the gas central heating, or build that extension.

How will I benefit from the electrical safety law being introduced?

You can expect to have safer, better quality, electrical installation work because all electrical contractors have to work to the current IEE wiring regulations. You will also be further protected against unsafe work as all electrical contractors will be required to offer their customers the option of additional protection through an insurance-backed warranty.

Will electrical work cost me more?

The work you require should have always included the required testing and certification procedure, which shouldn’t change, however it would be naïve to believe that the costs for registration and mandatory notification of wotk carried out, with one of the professional bodies will not be passed on to the customer.

Examples of Notifiable work

  • A complete new installation or rewire
  • Changing a Consumer Unit
  • Installing
    • A new final circuit (eg lighting, sockets, heating, shower or a cooker)
    • Extra low voltage lighting
    • Electric ceiling or floor heating
    • Power or control for central heating system
  • Within a kitchen or special location
    • Modifying a final Circuit (eg adding a lighting point, fused connection or socket outlet)
  • Within a special location
    • installaing a telephone or extra low voltage wiring and equipment for the purpose of communication
    • installing a prefabricated equipment set (eg for lighting) and associated flexible leads with integral plug and socket connection
  • Outdoors
    • Installing garden lighting or power (eg a supply to a garden shed, detached garage, other outbuilding, electric gate or pond pump)
    • Installing a socket outlet
    • installing a lighting point or other fixed equipment