Electrically certified?

[schizophonic]

Someone occured to me whilst i was at a showroom the other day.

We've all seen our own DIY builders adding additional power sockets and etc, but according to some insurance companies that if you do not get those extra power pockets (the ones you add yourself) electically certified. Then if there is a house fire due to that hazard - your insurance company doesn't pay out.

Thinking about that got me worried in learning how to wiring my own additional power sockets to the room. If i get a builder to do it - will it cost a lot of money?

[Badger0-0]

Why would you get a builder?

You should go for an electrician.

Cost depends on what sort you use.
You would want someone who can sign it off as a minimum, So I'd guess around £100 even for an easy one.

If you go through a proper company, you can expect double as a minimum, I'd have thought.

I'd ask around, to see if you can find a friend of a friend. You may even be able to do it yourself and just get him to sign it off after he's satisfied himself that it's ok. That's probably a little naughty, but perfectly acceptable, imo.

Even just signing the cert will cost you £50.

Another case of H&S gone mad, imo, but there you go.

[MarkP80]

But there are many things you can do yourself that do not require certification - such as adding a spur to an existing ringmain etc. Do you have a specific clause in your insurance schizophonic?

MarkP

[Badger0-0]

Ah that's interesting because I thought that was what they had brought part P out for

[deefadog]

Part P was only for rooms that had a water source or outside supply, i thought?

[Badger0-0]

Perhaps it is. There seems to be much confusion about the whole thing
I'm off for a mooch i think.

[Badger0-0]

It seems MarkP80 is correct;

Part P applies to all electrical installation work carried out in dwellings. However, you do not need to tell your local authority's Building Control department about:

* repairs and maintenance work or
* extra power points or lighting points or other alterations to existing circuits (except in specially defined areas such as a kitchen, bathroom or outdoors)

If you are unsure you should contact your local authority's Building Control department or, if you are already dealing with a Competent Person, they should be able to advise you.

To find your local Building Control department visit the LABC website.

PARTP.CO.UK - Does It Apply To Me

Informative site by the way

[MarkP80]

Yes, I thought it was something along those lines but didn't have a reference (good link, there's some clear advice there). That's why I was asking schizophonic if his insurance had a particular clause. I can understand insurance companies having an issue if electrical works are carried out without the appropriate notification/certification, but I don't understand how they can have a problem if you don't have a certificate for works which don't require one (regardless of who carried out the works).

Cheers,
MarkP

[Jason Bourne]

Hi all

I hope you don't mind if I stick in my tuppence worth.

You are certainly allowed to do DIY electrics. All the website says is that you don't need to inform the local council for certain mods, but all new electrical work must still comply with Part P of the building regs.

If something went horribly wrong and your wiring was found to be at fault, then your insurance company may ask you to prove that the new kit had indeed been installed in accordance with the wiring regs and Part P. I don't think anyone needs reminding of of what a bunch of to**ers insurance companies can be.

So if you are going to do any electrical work, I'd make sure you really know what you are doing.


Cheers

[MarkP80]

but all new electrical work must still comply with Part P of the building regs.

- absolutely - but Part P allows you to do some works yourself without notifying or having certification.

So if you are going to do any electrical work, I'd make sure you really know what you are doing.

- I don't think anyone would disagree with that!

Cheers,
MarkP

[davehk]

Originally Posted by MarkP80

- absolutely - but Part P allows you to do some works yourself without notifying or having certification.


- I don't think anyone would disagree with that!

Cheers,
MarkP

There is a LOT of confusion between Building Regs completion certificates and BS7671 Electrical Installation Certificate. They are entirely different things.

If you are intending to comply with the BS7671 wiring regs as your means of compying with Part P of the BR, then an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is REQUIRED, regardless of whether the work is notifiable inder Part P of the Building Regulation or not. This is NOTHING to do with a Building Regs Completion Certificate which is not needed for work that is not notifiable under Part P.

Anyone who is competent and equipped to do the required testing can sign an EIC - they do not need to be registered or qualified. One form of the EIC allows different people to sign for Design, Installation and Inspection.

[Sparky83]

Also as the regualtions have recently changed, if you are installing new circuits an rcd would be needed at the DB, if not in place already. The same goes with lighting circuits too, infact all circuits!

[MarkP80]

Just to clarify, I'm not at all confused between an IEC certificate and building regs approval. All I am saying is that Part P does not prevent anyone from doing some limited electrical works, and there is no obligation on them to have an IEC certificate for that work.

MarkP

[davehk]

Originally Posted by MarkP80

Just to clarify, I'm not at all confused between an IEC certificate and building regs approval. All I am saying is that Part P does not prevent anyone from doing some limited electrical works, and there is no obligation on them to have an IEC certificate for that work.

MarkP

True, in so far as there is no obligation for them to comply with BS7671 as these are not statutory. However, in that case they may need to show compliance with Part-P in some other way, if something later goes wrong and causes a fire, for example. That may not be easy in a court of law, especially if they are not formally qualified.

This discussion could go on for a very long time and has done on the DIYNOT Electrics UK forum, so I have no intention of continuing it here.