High Quality
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WHAT IS "PART P"?
BACKGROUND
Changes made to the Building Regulations in 2005 has had a major
effect on all domestic electrical installations . With affect from
January 1 2005 anyone undertaking domestic electrical
work
must be assessed and registered as a "Competent Person" to
enable them to self certify their work.
Each year on average 10 people die and about 750 are seriously
injured in accidents involving unsafe electrical installations in the home. PART P, launched by the Government in 2003, aims to reduce the risk by bringing electrical safety in the home within the scope of the building regulations.
WHO WILL IT AFFECT?
These changes will affect trades such as kitchen fitters, gas fitters and plumbers as
well as fully qualified electricians.
This will inevitably also have serious consequences for DIY enthusiasts who prefer to
tackle jobs like fitting a kitchen and installing electrics themselves. DIY enthusiasts
must ensure that all electrical work complys to the new regulations and this
includes the completion of a formal Building Control Application, payment of an
application fee and potential arrangement and cost of
having the work inspected by the Building Control Authority. Failure to comply could seriously affect the future re-sale of property.
WHAT IS A COMPETENT PERSON?
Once applicants are externally assessed and registered
with an approved electrical contracting organisation e.g.
N.I.C.E.I.C., they will be able to self-certify that their work
meets the requirements of Part P of the Building
Regulations. Firms applying for Competent Person status
are advised to ensure that they have the necessary number of Qualified
Supervisors, who are responsible for the safety, quality and technical standards of the work carried out and for ensuring that the results of the testing and inspection are accurately recorded.The alternative to employing a competent person is for the
Building Control to inspect the work carried out ensuring that it is safe and that it falls
in line with PART P. There will be a fee attached to this service so contractors need
to balance the cost of becoming registered as a Competent Person against the recur-
ring costs associated with notifying Building Control for each installation.
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