For those who want to stick to alarms only ...

The "Small Works Certificate" is actually a "Minor Works Certificate" (or to give it it's full name, "Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate"). It may seem like nit-picking, but if everyone uses the correct terminology, there will be less confusion.

There are a number of installations that are not notifiable to the local authority, ie you do not need to be approved as a Competent Person (CP) to do these following installations:

• All replacement work anywhere in the dwelling, including the replacement of ONE cable damaged by impact, fire or rodent, but not the replacement of a consumer unit;
• Providing mechanical protection (ie trunking/conduit etc) to cables;
• Additional socket outlets, fused spurs, lighting points etc, that are outside the ‘special locations’;
• Installing or upgrading of earth bonding;
• Any circuitry or equipment that runs on 50 volts or less ie, telephony, aerial/satellite wiring and intruder or fire alarms.

(‘Special locations’ include kitchens, bathrooms, conservatories, saunas and outside the property.)

The last group falls outside the scope of the IEE regulations (BS7671:2001), so are automatically exempt from Part P.

Of course, it goes without saying that installations that are covered by the IEE regs have to be installed to that standard, which includes the compilation and presentation of a Minor Works Certificate to the end user, but you do not have to go on a CP scheme if you limit your work to the above groups.

As alarm engineers can use test equipment, meggers etc, then they can complete a Minor Works Certificate. In short, if all you want to do is install alarms, you will not be required to become approved as a CP, as both the alarm wiring and the fitting of a fused spur to an existing circuit do not require it.

Simon Abbott, Proprietor, Secure Electrical Service 47 Langdale Road, Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire SK7 1DL