It’s now over 5 years since this link was made and boy, what confusion has come out of  it. The latest change came into effect on April 6th 2006. The main change is that instead of P1 and P2, we have just P1 thus:

Part P Electrical Safety
Design and Installation
P1 Reasonable provision shall be made in the design and installation of electrical installations in order to protect persons operating, maintaining or altering the installation from fire or injury.

So, it’s actually no different from any other art of the building regulation.

Common questions and answers.
Q - Can I do my own electrical work now?
A - Yes

Q - Do I have to use a Registered Contractor?
A - No

Q - Ok then, what do I have to do?
A - If you carry out maintenance or repairs, nothing is different. If you carry out additional electrical work in specified areas (eg kitchens, bathrooms or outside), then the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) need to be notified.

Q - I’m have an extension built, do I have to notify under Part P?
A - This is misunderstanding number one. LABC only need to be notified separately when electrical works are done on their own. Most building works need to be notified, so any electrical works are included, whether or not you use a ‘registered’ electrician.

Q - What is a ‘registered Part P electrician’?
A- Believe it or not, there is no such thing as a Part P qualification. A legal entity (one man band or multinational company) can register with one of several ‘approved bodies’ so they can notify LABC up to 30 days after completing notifiable electrical works, instead of 48 hours prior to work commencing. The idea is that a sample of the works will be inspected each year, but it also means that your work just as easily could be done by an experienced and competent electrician as an office worker who may have decided on a career change and if lucky, been on a 3 or 5 day course.

Q - Are all NICEIC contractors the same?
A - Once upon a time, you were either an approved contractor by the NICEIC or not. Then they started to restrict the scope of contractors, starting with petrol filling stations (you wouldn’t believe the dangerous installations I’ve inspected - even after being inspected by others for years!!) and this have been expanded. The current ‘limited scope’ contractor comes with the title NICEIC domestic installer. This is for non-electrical contractors who are able to safely carry out limited electrical work in domestic premises. In my day, perhaps better known as semi-skilled or electricians mate.

Q - Why aren’t you registered?
A - When they get round to registering individuals rather than ‘legal entities’, it may be worth it - but don’t hold your breath on that happening in the near future. As I often say, it’s the guy who walks through the door who does the work, not someone miles away. Most of my work is by recommendation and although not perfect, I do my best.

Just to finish this ‘lesson’. Believe it or not you can have a socket in your bathroom, which does not comply with the BS7671:2004 wiring regulations but does comply with Part P of the building regulations. Naturally, in the harmonisation world, the latest edition (BS7671:2008), does allow sockets in the bathroom providing it’s big enough and you meet the requirements.

If you want more information or perhaps a question, just get in touch.

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