A GUIDE TO PART P
What does it all mean?
From the 1st January 2005 most electrical work in houses, some of which is quite routine such as changing a socket in a kitchen, must by law, be notified to the local authority building control department. This also includes DIY as well as tradesmen who undertake electrical work as part of their normal activities. For eg. kitchen and bathroom fitters, alarm installers and general builders. The only exception is where the work is undertaken by a competent person who is a member of a Government authorised scheme (Part P Scheme Provider). The notification to the local authority is then handled by the organisation (Part P Scheme Provider) running the scheme.
Q) When did the law change?
A) The law was announced in Parliament on the 29th June 2004 to be effective from 1st January 2005. There was a small transition period but this was only to allow contracts signed prior to the 1st January 2005 to be completed. All work entered into after that date must be within an approved Part P scheme.
Q) What is the purpose of the change in legislation?
A) The Building Act is being revised to include electrical installations to provide protection against there being a source of a fire or cause of injury.
Q) What is a Competent Person?
A) A competent person is someone / a company who is approved by one of the government authorised bodies, otherwise known as a Part P Scheme Provider. Other industries have successfully implemented such competent person schemes, the largest being FENSA, which runs the primary notification scheme covering replacement windows and doors.
Q) What type of properties are covered?
A) In addition to electrical work within dwellings, the controls include parts of fixed electrical installations external to premises, such as in gardens, sheds and detached garages. Unfortunately the definition of a dwelling is not particularly helpful but for the purposes of "Part P" we are saying a place that was designed to accommodate people for durations in excess of 30 days. Properties specifically designed as holiday homes, mobile homes and other exceptions whereby individuals are temporarily housed, are excluded.
Q) Are you saying that I now have to notify minor works?
A) The BS7671 definitions of minor (eg, the additions of modifications to circuits) and major works (eg. installation of a new circuit) have not been mirrored in the new legislation and there are minor works such as the fitting of a new socket in a kitchen that will require notification.
Q) Can I qualify by experience?
A) There is no doubt that experience is essential. However the scheme does require that you can prove what you know, and is usually determined by close observation. There are two routes to proving competence. One is the City and Guilds route taking you to NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in electrical installation work, otherwise known as City and Guilds 2330. Obviously this is unsuitable for most individuals as it requires attendance at a college for 3 years and also requires that the individual is working for an electrical contracting and installation company. Most individuals whether they be new entrants, time served electricians or those who now do electrical work as a small part of their activities opt to take City and Guilds 2382, covering the Wiring Regulations, plus another course that enables them to be able to test equipment, interpret results and complete these results onto a report/minor works certificate etc. In our experience it is not possible to pass the assessment unless you have committed to completing our full course syallabus if a new entrant, or if time served, the City and Guilds 2382 and our testing inspecting course. Those who have experience may still have to complete further study/training subject to our assessment.
Q) How do I apply for Part P assessment?
A) After discussing which route is most appropriate for you, you enrol and successfully pass our course. You then apply to a Scheme Provider by completing the Scheme Providers application pack and posting to them. At a mutually convenient time the Scheme Providers assessor will visit your place of work and assess you compliance with BS7671 and visit a selection of recently completed installations. The successful outcome ensures you will be able to self certify your work. All you need to do thereafter is notify the Scheme Provider of each installation you complete, they will communicate this to the appropriate Local Authority and confirm that step back to your customer.
Installations requiring certification
Part P covers all electrical work in domestic dwellings. This includes the installation of a new circuit, any work in a kitchen or bathroom and any work undertaken outside the property (eg. a garage or in the garden). In order to comply, such installations will need to be designed and installed to protect against mechanical and thermal damage, and will present no electrical shock or fire hazard. They will also need to be tested and inspected to meet relevant equipment/installation standards.
Part P electrical training applies only to installations designed to operate at Low Voltage (Low Voltage means voltage normally exceeding extra-low voltage but not exceeding 1000V ac or 1500V dc between conductors, or 600V ac or 900V dc between conductors and earth) or Extra Low Voltage (Extra Low Voltage means voltage normally not exceeding 50V ac or 120V ripple-free dc, whether between conductors or to earth).
Work NOT requiring certification
Certain types of minor electrical installation work will not require notification. However all minor jobs in kitchens and bathrooms is notifiable.
BS7671 Certification
To comply with the requirements of the scheme as of the 1st January 2005 you will be required to provide your customers with a BS7671 certificate with each installation that you complete.
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