Part P: The not so shocking truth

For the first time in England and Wales, the standard of electrical installation work in dwellings now comes under statutory control. Electrical installations in dwellings and connected gardens, greenhouses and outbuildings, whether carried out professionally, DIY or otherwise, had to comply with the new Part P of the Building Regulations from 1 January.

Part P applies to installations in dwellings intended to operate at low or extra-low voltage. The extra-low voltage band includes extra-low voltage downlighters, known for causing a number of house fires due to incorrectly sized conductors. It also applies to alterations and extensions to existing electrical installations, including full or partial rewires, and extends beyond dwellings to common access parts in blocks of flats, shared amenities, combined dwelling and business premises, garden lighting, pond pumps, sheds and detached garages.

To comply with Part P, electrical installers need to apply the ‘fundamental principles’ for safety set out in BS 7671, and demonstrate compliance either through inspection of the work by a building control body, or through registration with a government-authorised competent person scheme.

Businesses registered with competent person schemes must self-certify all domestic electrical installation work. The only exception is with minor work not in a kitchen or in an area classified as a ‘special installation’ (such as an extra-low voltage lighting installation) or a ‘special location’ (such as a bathroom or garden). Definitions of what constitutes a ‘special installation’ or ‘special location’ and minor work are in Approved Document P on the Office of Deputy Prime Minister’s website.

Unless registered with a competent person scheme, anyone intending to carry out domestic electrical installations must notify their relevant building control body.

Businesses self-certifying compliance with Part P must provide their customer with a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate, accompanied by an appropriate BS 7671 certificate within 30 days of completion of the work. They must also provide their local authority building control office with details of the completed work. Non-compliance would be a criminal offence, and could result in a fine of up to £5000 for each offence.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to enforce the Building Regulations. If the local authority or person ordering the work have not been provided with the necessary details of completed electrical installation work, the work will be illegal, whether or not it complies with BS 7671 and the Building Regulations. In such cases, the local authority will need to issue a ‘Regularisation Certificate’. This is likely to require the installation owner to have the work inspected and tested by a competent person. This may involve hidden parts (such as buried cables) being exposed for inspection.

Specifiers such as local authorities, builders, architects and housing associations will require their electrical contractors to comply with the Building Regulations, and will check that the necessary certification and notification is carried out.

To lessen the burden on building control, the Government is encouraging electrical installers to self-certify compliance with Part P by registering with a competent person schemes, however, a DIY householder not using an approved electrician will still need to notify building control. The NICEIC is working closely with building control bodies, providing seminars and workshops, to ensure that they have the technical knowledge required to certify domestic electrical work.

It will be more difficult than some might think, to carry out domestic electrical work and not comply with Part P, as it will become evident through a number of circumstances, such as:

• When a dwelling is put on the market, the seller is required to complete a Sellers Property Information Form. The form, which, amongst other things, asks questions about the electrical installation, is sent to the buyer’s solicitor. As is the case with replacement double-glazing (which has been subject to self-certification under the Building Regulations for some time), solicitors will expect to see a copy of the Building Regulations Compliance Certificate for any electrical installation work carried out since 1 January 2005. Incorrect information given to the buyer through their solicitors may mean that the buyer can claim compensation from the seller or even refuse to complete the purchase. The seller is likely to wish to pass on financial liability for such problems to the electrical installer. The local authority is also likely to become involved.

• When other building work, such as extensions, loft conversions etc, is notified by others, it will highlight to the local authority that there is likely to be associated electrical work

• Most new work is likely to be readily identifiable due to the use of wiring having the new identification colours
• An electrical contractor carrying out a periodic or visual inspection of an installation can be expected to ask to see the certificates issued for any new work carried out, including alterations and additions, and to advise the person ordering the work of the implications if such information is not available.