IEE Wiring matters Autumn 2005 · IEE Wiring Matters | Autumn 2004 | . given to a building control body before work begins. Work that need not be notified to building control bodies

WIRINGMATTERS

Autumn 2004

Paperwork and Procedures

Section 601 Revisited

Special Locations and Kitchens

Part P PublishedRegulation hasfinally hit...

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IEE Wiring Matters | Autumn 2004 | www.iee.org

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THE Government announced on 15 July last year that, as soon ascompetent person self-certificationschemes were in place, it would includerequirements on electrical safety indwellings as Part P of the BuildingRegulations (see article on CompetentPersons Schemes on page 4).

Part P of the Building Regulationson electrical safety was subsequentlypublished on 22 July 2004, givingstatutory support to the IEE WiringRegulations BS 7671 and bringingdomestic electrical installations inEngland and Wales under buildingregulations control.

This means that, from 1st January2005, anyone carrying out domesticelectrical installation work mustcomply with Part P. Where work isnotifiable (see below) it must becertificated by a member of acompetent person self certificationscheme or the work must be notified to the local authority, which will thenbe responsible for inspecting andtesting it for electrical safety. Inaddition, the members of competentperson self-certification schemes musthave an appreciation of how theBuilding Regulations in general affectthe electrical installation and besufficiently competent to confirm thattheir work complies with all applicablerequirements of the BuildingRegulations.

Such requirements include:Part A – StructurePart B – Fire SafetyPart C – Site preparation and

resistance to moisturePart E – Resistance to the passage

of soundPart F – VentilationPart L – Conservation of Fuel and

PowerPart M – Access to and use of

buildings

These Approved Documents may bedownloaded free of charge from thewebsite of the Office of the DeputyPrime Minister at www.odpm.gov.uk.

Failure to comply with the buildingregulations is a criminal offence andlocal authorities have the power torequire the removal or alteration ofwork that does not comply with therequirements.

A new IEE guide will give detailedguidance on how to comply with PartP and is due to be published in thenear future. The local authoritybuilding control officer or an approvedinspector will be able to confirmwhether building regulations apply ina specific case.

SCOPEPart P applies to electricalinstallations or parts of installationsin buildings or parts of buildingscomprising:

■ Dwelling houses and flats;■ Dwellings and business premises that

have a common supply – for exampleshops and public houses with a flatabove;

■ Common access areas in blocks offlats such as corridors and staircases;

■ Shared amenities of blocks of flatssuch as laundries and gymnasiums.

Part P applies also to parts of theabove electrical installations: ■ In or on land associated with the

buildings – for example Part P appliesto fixed lighting and pond pumps ingardens; in outbuildings such assheds, detached garages andgreenhouses.

HOW TO COMPLYThe requirements of Part P will be metby adherence to Chapter 13,‘Fundamental Principles’, in BS7671:2001. These fundamentalprinciples can be achieved by following:■ The requirements of BS 7671:2001, and■ The guidance given in installation

manuals which are consistent withBS 7671:2001, such as the IEE On SiteGuide and IEE Guidance Notes 1 to 7.

NOTIFICATION TO BUILDING CONTROLNotification of workApart from the following circumstances,notification of proposals to carry outelectrical installation work must be

PART P ISPUBLISHED!(PUTTING THE P IN COMPETENT)

By Bill Allan and Geoff Cronshaw

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given to a building control body beforework begins.

Work that need not be notified tobuilding control bodies■ Electrical installation work

undertaken by a firm or anindividual registered under anauthorised competent person self-certification scheme, or

■ Electrical installation work which isrestricted to the type described inTable 1 and does not include theprovision of a new circuit. Table 1shows work that does not need to benotified to building control bodies.Certain work carried out in kitchensor in special locations as shown inTable 2 is excluded from Table 1 andis therefore notifiable.

All replacement work is non-notifiable, even when carried out in akitchen or in a special location shownin Table 2.

Work that must be notified tobuilding control bodiesWork undertaken by a firm orindividual not registered under anapproved competent person scheme,must be notified to the appropriatebuilding control body. This includesthe following:■ Work which involves the provision

of at least one new circuit■ Work, including minor work, which

is carried out in a special location asincluded in Table 2.

■ Work, including minor work, whichis carried out in kitchens.As mentioned above, the only

exception is replacement work.

ENFORCEMENTThe person carrying out electrical workthat contravenes the BuildingRegulations can be fined up to £5000 forthe contravention, and £50 each day thecontravention continues. Additionally,householders may encounter problems

selling their houses if work fails tocomply with the Building Regulations.The householder is ultimatelyresponsible for ensuring that electricalwork complies with the BuildingRegulations in his/her dwelling. It is thehouseholder/owner who may ultimatelybe served with an enforcement notice.However, the primary responsibility forachieving compliance rests with theperson carrying out the electrical work.

PUBLIC AWARENESSArrangements for a publicitycampaign are under discussionbetween ODPM, scheme operators,electrical wholesalers and retailersand local authorities to make membersof the public aware that, once Part P isintroduced, work on fixed electrical

installations in dwellings is subject tothe requirements of BuildingRegulations. It is hoped that it will bepossible to put Part P information instores. The content of the leaflet is yetto be decided. Information on how thepublic can contact a competent personself-certification scheme member iscontained in the article on competentperson schemes in this issue.

DIY WORK.Electrical DIY work will still bepermitted after the introduction ofPart P. Those doing notifiable DIY workwill have to submit a building notice tothe local authority before work beginsand will have to pay a building controlfee to have their work inspected andtested by the local authority. ■

Extract from approved document P subject to agreement with ODPM

Locations containing a bath tub or shower basinSwimming pools or paddling poolsHot air saunasElectric floor or ceiling heating systemsGarden lighting or power installationsSolar photovoltaic (PV) power supply systemsSmall scale generators such as microCHP unitsExtra-low voltage lighting installations, other than pre-assembled, CE-marked lighting sets

Notes:(a) See IEE Guidance Note 7 which gives more guidance on achieving sage installations where risks to people are greater

Work consisting of:

Replacing accessories such as socket-outlets, control switches and ceiling rosesReplacing the cable for a single circuit only, where damaged, for example, by fire, rodent or impact(a)

Re-fixing or replacing the enclosures of existing installation components (b)

Providing mechnical protection to existing fixed installations (c)

Work that is not in a kitchen or special location and does not involve a special installation (d)

and consists of:

Adding lighting points (light fittings and switches) to an existing circuit (e)

Installing or upgrading main or supplementary equipotential bonding (f)

Notes:(a) On condition that the replacement cable has the same current carrying capacity, follows the same route and does not

serve more than one sub-circuit through a distribution board(b) If the circuit’s protective measures are unaffected(c) If the circuit’s protective measures and current-carrying capacity of conductors are unaffected by increased thermal

insulation(d) Special locations and installations are listed in Table 2(e) Only if the existing circuit protective device is suitable and provides protection for the modified circuit, and other

relevant safety provisions are satisfactory(f) Such work shall comply with other applicable legislation, such as the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulation

TABLE 1: WORK THAT DOES NOT NEED TO BE NOTIFIED TO BUILDING CONTROL BODIES

TABLE 2: SPECIAL LOCATIONS AND INSTALLATIONS (a)

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THE Government has approved schemes to be operated by BRECertification Limited, British Standards Institution, ELECSALimited, NICEIC Certification Services Limited and ZurichCertification Ltd. These schemes are aimed at those carrying outelectrical installation work as the primary activity of theirbusiness. The Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC),who advise the Government, hope to be able to makerecommendations shortly for schemes aimed at those carryingout electrical installation work that is not the primary activity oftheir business.

All Competent Persons Self-Certification Schemes (“Person”means a legal person, i.e. a firm or an individual) are measuredaccording to the same criteria to ensure the various CompetentPerson Schemes do not issue conflicting technical advice. TheODPM will closely monitor the operation of the schemes.Members of the public who wish to employ a competent personcan obtain details from the scheme operators. The approvedscheme operators will be listed in the new edition of the BuildingRegulations Explanatory Booklet. In addition, these details havebeen posted on the ODPM website.

The IEE was instrumental in the development of the Electro-Technical Assessment (EAS) Scheme with which competentperson schemes are required to comply. The IEE welcomes theintroduction of robust competent person schemes as a way ofenhancing the professionalism of the industry and ensuringconsumer protection.

Those wishing to join a Competent Person Scheme will need todemonstrate their competence, if necessary by first undergoingappropriate training. The work of members will be inspected atleast once a year. There will be an initial registration andassessment fee, and then an annual membership and inspection fee.

Further information on Part P may be obtained from the IEE website iee.org/technical

COMPETENT PERSONSSELF-CERTIFICATIONSCHEMESBy Bill Allan and Geoff Cronshaw

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The IEE’s technical helpline continues to receive regular questions about

Section 601 – locations containing a bath or shower – and Part P contains

requirements for such locations. Most callers are now familiar with the

concept of zones with specified degrees of protection against ingress of

moisture for equipment. Readers may wish to review the article,

‘Section 601 – Flushing out the Facts’ in Issue 8 (Autumn 2000) of Wiring

Matters. This article has been written in response to some of the

questions recently received.

SECTION 601 REVISITEDby Bill Allan

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ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTThe term ‘fixed current-using equipment’ is used anumber of times in Section 601 and some are unclearas to what is meant by it. Before answering, permit meto ask a further couple of questions. What is meant bythe expression in Regulation 601-09-03, ‘current-usingequipment other than fixed current-using equipment’?(It may be helpful to call this type of equipment non-fixed current-using equipment). Further, the term‘current-using equipment’ implies that there is alsonon-current-using equipment.

In summarising these terms, we should be aware thatthe term ‘Electrical equipment’ is defined in Part 2 ofBS 7671 and includes accessories, appliances andluminaires.

1. Fixed current-using equipmentCurrent-using equipment is equipment whichconsumes current rather than simply transmitting orswitching current. This would include luminaires andfans, for example.2. Fixed non current-using equipmentThis includes switches and fused connection units.3. Non-fixed current-using equipmentThe expression ‘current-using equipment other thanfixed current-using equipment’ used in Regulation 601-09-03 (or non-fixed current-using equipment) refers toitems of stationary equipment. Stationary equipment isdefined as equipment having a mass exceeding 18kg andnot provided with a carrying handle. This would includesuch items as washing machines and tumble dryers.

Before anyone asks, we’ll assume that, in the contextof Section 601, there is no such thing as non-fixed noncurrent-using equipment!

WHAT IS PERMITTED IN ZONE 3There are no particular ingress protectionrequirements for zone 3. This means that BS 1363accessories, such as switches and fused connectionunits, can be installed in zone 3, subject to therequirements of Regulation 512-06-01.

Non-fixed current-using equipment, such as washingmachines and tumble dryers for example, may beinstalled in zone 3, subject to manufacturers’ approval.Such equipment must be supplied by means of a fusedconnection unit and be protected by a 30mA RCD.

HAIR DRYERSPortable equipment is not permitted in zone 3, otherthan that associated with SELV socket outlets andshaver supply units. However, the question arises: is anitem of portable equipment still an item of portable

equipment when it is permanently connected to thesupply via a fused connection unit? The answer isgenerally no, but a problem arises with hand-heldequipment. The situation with hair dryers illustratesthe point. It is generally recommended that the pistolgrip type of hair dryer should be avoided within thezones, but the flexible hose type can be connectedwithin zone 3 when supplied from a fused connectionunit protected by a 30mA RCD.

BEYOND ZONE 3For the larger bathroom and shower room with spacebeyond zone 3, portable equipment is not excluded bySection 601. This means that hair dryers may be installed– even the pistol grip variety – but, while Section 601 doesnot require them to be protected by a 30 mA RCD, it maybe advisable to supply them using a fused connectionunit protected by a 30mA RCD.

SHAVER SUPPLY UNITSThe minimum degree of protection for equipmentinstalled in zones 1 and 2 is IP4X or IP5X where waterjets are likely to be used for cleaning purposes incommunal baths or communal showers. An exceptionto this requirement is a shaver supply unit complyingwith BS EN 60742 Chapter 2, Section 1, which, althoughit does not meet the requirements of IP4X, is permittedin zone 2 but must be located where direct spray fromshowers is unlikely. This type of shaver supply unit,which incorporates a safety isolating transformer, is theonly type which is permitted in a bathroom or showerroom. However, where a shower cubicle is installed in aroom other than a bathroom or shower room, e.g. in abedroom, this particular type of shaver supply unit isnot insisted upon. (See Regulation 601-08-02)

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Published by IEE Publishing & Information Services Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2AY, United KingdomTel: +44 (0)1438 313311 Fax: +44 (0)1438 313465

Sales and Project Coordinator K Hunton Tel: +44 (0)1438 767224 Email: [email protected] | Editor: G D Cronshaw Tel: +44 (0)1438 767384 Email: [email protected] | Contributing Editors: P R L Cook, P E Donnachie, W R Allan

IEE Wiring Matters is a quarterly publication from the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE). The IEE is not as a body responsible for the opinions expressed.

©2004: The Institution of Electrical Engineers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrievalsystem, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the permission in writing of the publisher. Copying of articles is not permittedexcept for personal and internal use. Multiple copying of the content of this publication without permission is always illegal.

Web-offset printing by Wyndeham Heron, The Bentall Complex, Colchester Road, Heybridge, Maldon, Essex, UK

Co-operating Organisations The Institution of Electrical Engineers acknowledges the contribution made by the followingorganisations in the preparation of this publication.| British Electrotechnical & Allied Manufacturers Association Ltd – R Lewington, P D Galbraith, M H Mullins | Office of the Deputy PrimeMinister – K Bromley, I Drummond | Electrical Contractors Association – D Locke, S Burchell | City & Guilds of London Institute – H R Lovegrove | Energy Networks Association –D J Start | Electrical Contractors Association of Scotland t/a | SELECT – D Millar, N McGuiness | Health & Safety Executive – N Gove | National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting

RCDSResidual current devices (RCDs) having a ratedresidual operating current I=n not exceeding 30mA arerequired in the following situations:■ the supply circuit of fixed current-using equipment

(other than water heaters or shower pumps) whichcan reasonably only be located in zone 1;

■ the supply circuit of current-using equipment otherthan fixed current-using equipment in zone 3;

■ The circuit supplying 230V BS 1363 socket outlets in aroom other than a bathroom or shower room. (It shouldbe noted that the zonal protection system applies to suchrooms and the socket outlets must be located outside thezones).Section 601 does not require RCDs in circuits

supplying electric showers.

‘IN A ROOM OTHER THAN A BATHROOM OR SHOWER ROOM’Regulation 601-08-02 permits the installation of 230V BS1363 socket outlets ‘Where a shower cubicle is installed ina room other than a bathroom or shower room’. Suchsocket outlets must be installed outside zones 0, 1, 2 or 3and be protected by a 30mA RCD. However, no suchrelaxation is made for baths located in rooms other thanbathrooms. It is not uncommon these days to have a bathinstalled in a bedroom or even in a lounge. Such a roomeffectively becomes a bathroom and is subject to therequirements of Section 601. For example, 230V BS 1363socket outlets would not be permitted.

SUPPLEMENTARY EQUIPOTENTIAL BONDINGLocal supplementary equipotential bonding, complyingwith Regulation 547-03, is required between the terminalsof circuits supplying Class 1 and Class 2 equipment inZones 1, 2 and 3 and all extraneous-conductive-parts inthese zones.

USING CPCS AND EXTRANEOUS-CONDUCTIVE-PARTS ASSUPPLEMENTARY BONDING CONDUCTORSCircuit protective conductors (CPCs), such as thatbetween a luminaire and its switch, for example, maybe utilised as a bonding conductor. Therefore thesupplementary bonding conductor may be connectedeither at the switch or at the luminaire. Similarly withshower circuits, the supplementary bonding conductormay be connected either at the shower switch or at theshower itself.

Regulation 543-02-02 (vii) permits extraneous-conductive-parts, where they comply with Regulation 543-02-06, to be used as supplementary bonding conductors.

WHERE IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO SUPPLEMENTARY BONDIt is not necessary to supplementary bond items ofmetalwork which are supplied by plastic pipes, as suchmetalwork is unlikely to come within the definition ofan extraneous-conductive-part. Neither is it necessaryto supplementary bond short lengths of copper pipeswhich are sometimes installed for aesthetic reasons inan otherwise plastic system.

In a room other than a bathroom or shower room,supplementary bonding is not required in zone 3.

WHERE SUPPLEMENTARY BONDING IS CARRIED OUTSupplementary bonding does not have to be carried outwithin the bathroom or shower room itself, it can beprovided at a convenient location in close proximity.This may be in an adjacent airing cupboard, or withinthe ceiling space or under the floor boards.

CONCLUSIONNo doubt there are other questions which could bedealt with regarding Section 601, but they will have towait until another time. ■

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PART P NOT RELEVANT IN SCOTLANDWith the publication of Part P of theBuilding Regulations, electricalinstallation work in dwellings inEngland and Wales will, for the firsttime, be subject to the requirementsand procedures associated withBuilding Control.

But Part P only concerns Englandand Wales. The situation in Scotlandis, and will remain, quite different.

Scotland has always had its ownbuilding control system and one resultof this is that electrical installationwork has been covered by statute fordecades. The reason is that, inScotland, the majority of the electricalrequirements apply to virtually allbuildings – not just dwellings as is thecase with Part P.

HISTORICAL CONTEXTThe growth of building control inScotland has been a process of somecomplexity.

Until the beginning of the 19thcentury, any building control that

existed was exercised by Dean ofGuild Courts established in RoyalBurghs.

During the period of massivebuilding growth in the 19th century, thescope of building control steadily

extended by statute to all burghs, and aseries of Police Acts included measuresrelated to building control. In the latenineteenth century and early twentiethcentury various Acts and byelaws weremade which introduced increasinglevels of control, but their adoptionwas patchy.

Towards the end of the 1950s acommittee was established to examinethe existing laws and makerecommendations on the future formof a building control system for thewhole of Scotland.

Its report recommended theestablishment of comprehensivebuilding standards, which would beflexible enough to take into accountnew materials and techniques. Thereport was accepted and resulted inthe Building (Scotland) Act 1959.

Since then there have beennumerous reviews, updates andamendments and, in 1999, it wasdecided by the then Scottish Officethat a full review should beundertaken to reflect the changing

KEEPING AHEADOF THE GAME INSCOTLAND?Newell McGuiness, Managing Director of SELECT, reviews thedevelopment of a new Building Standards system in Scotland and how it relates to the Part P situation in England and Wales

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11needs of society and deal with someanomalies and certain factors comingfrom Europe.

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTSThe current requirements forelectrical installations in the BuildingStandards (Scotland) Regulations1990, as amended are given inRegulation 26, which requires that:

‘Every electrical installation to whichthis regulation applies and every itemof stationary electrical equipmentconnected to such an installation shallprovide adequate protection against itsbeing a source of fire or a cause ofpersonal injury’

The Technical Standards (forcompliance with the BuildingStandards (Scotland) Regulations1990, as amended) provide anexplanation of the requirements ofthe Regulations and specify that theywill be met where an installationcomplies with BS 7671.

Regulation 29 further requires theprovision, in dwellings, of sufficientlighting points and socket outlets andthere are ancillary requirementsunder Regulations 13, 22, 23 and 26 forfire detection and emergency lighting,energy conservation, ventilation andaids to communication.

Various other minor electricallyrelated requirements are additionallysprinkled throughout the remainingregulations.

SCOTLAND’S NEW BUILDINGSTANDARDSThe review instigated by the ScottishOffice was carried forward underScotland’s devolved Government byThe Scottish Executive and resultedin the Building (Scotland) Act 2003.

To fulfil the duties placed onMinisters by the Act, a new ScottishBuilding Standards Agency (SBSA)was established in early 2004. Thepurpose of the new agency is toprepare and update building

standards legislation and guidancedocuments, conduct consultations andresearch, provide the secretariat forthe Building Standards AdvisoryCommittee and to provide, on behalfof Ministers, guidance to verifiers (inScotland, only local authorities).

The SBSA also monitors theperformance of verifiers and hasresponsibilities for the appointmentof verifiers and certifiers of designand construction. It is currentlydeveloping the necessary legislation,guidance and processes to allow thenew Building Standards system to beintroduced during 2005.

For the electrical installationindustry, the new Standards willintroduce little technical change andthe basic requirement will remaincompliance with BS 7671. The biggest,and most welcome, change for theelectrical installation industry will bea much more rigourous system forchecking and approving those whomay self-certify their work ascompliant with the statutoryrequirements.

Under the ‘old’ building controlregime, whilst there were statutoryrequirements for the standard of

work required, anyone could sign anelectrical compliance certificate andthe system was open to abuse.

When the new Building Standardssystem is introduced this will changeand only those companies andindividuals that have been approvedby the SBSA will be allowed to self-certify.

STILL AHEAD?The tough new vetting process forApproved Certifiers of Constructionis the last piece in the regulationjigsaw.

The fact that only certain approvedpersons and companies will be able tocarry out electrical installation workto the demanding standards of BS7671 will undoubtedly raise safetyeven further in Scotland.

Since the new Scottish systemapplies to much more than justdwellings, it is hard not to concludethat in electrical safety termsScotland remains firmly in thevanguard. ■

SELECT is the trade association for the electrotechnical industry inScotland

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PART P AND MINOR WORKSIn general, work that would be consideredas minor work in BS 7671 is not required tobe notified to building control. Work thatdoes not require the installation of a newcircuit, such as adding sockets or lights,does not generally need to be notified tobuilding control. However, there are veryimportant exemptions to this, see Table 1and Table 2 to Part P of the buildingregulations. Minor works in certain speciallocations, e.g. bathrooms, swimming poolsand saunas, private generation andkitchens are notifiable.

KITCHENSKitchens are not a special location as far asBS 7671 is concerned but they are special asfar as Part P is concerned. The reason for thisis fairly clear. The electrical work associatedwith a fitted kitchen, though minor in termsof BS 7671 in that it would make use ofexisting lighting and power circuits, is in allprobability hardly minor as far as the owneris concerned. The installations of fittedkitchens are a regular source of complaints tothe IEE technical enquiry line. There is oftenconcern that the electrical work carried outin a kitchen may well be unsatisfactory. Inthese circumstances it seems reasonable thatthe ODPM should make a special case forkitchens (and bathrooms) and require thatwork, when carried out by a firm orindividual not registered under an approvedcompetent person scheme, should be notifiedto building control for subsequentinspections and testing.

The IEE publication, possibly to be calledthe “Electricians Guide to the BuildingRegulations”, deals in some detail withgood practice appropriate for kitchens.

Kitchens are difficult locationselectrically, and care and attention needs tobe taken in the location and installation ofequipment.

GOOD PRACTICE IN KITCHENSa) Cooker control switches should bepositioned so they can easily be located, i.e.not installed in cupboards, and so they can beoperated without reaching over hobs.b) Extractor fan switches similarly should

PART PSPECIAL LOCATIONSAND KITCHENSBy Paul Cook

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be readily accessible and should not belocated above hobs, again to preventburning or even more dangerousspillage of boiling water fromsaucepans and the like.c) Sockets should be positioned atleast 30cm from sinks anddraining boards to reduce the riskfrom splashing.d) Sockets should be placed at least 5cmand preferably 10cm above a work surfaceto avoid excessive wear and tear onflexible cables.e) Socket outlets should be placed wherethey are readily accessible withoutreaching over hobs with gas or electric.f) Sufficient socket outlets should beinstalled in suitable locations to facilitateuse.g) Sockets for kettles and toasters shouldbe provided so that this equipment can beused without danger to children pullingthe appliances from the work surface.h) Sockets for home laundry appliancesmay be installed underneath the worksurface but they should be fixed to thebuilding structure and they should bereadily accessible on removal of theappliance, washing machine or tumbledryer from the kitchen fittings.i) Light switches similarly should beeasily accessible to persons and preferablyalso to disabled persons.

While the general requirement for allswitches and sockets to be accessible todisabled persons are not consideredapplicable kitchens because of practicaldifficulties, the main light switch clearlyshould be accessible to all persons,including those in wheelchairs and toyoung children with restricted reach.

WHAT IS NOT NOTIFIABLE IN A KITCHEN? The Part P of the Building Regulationswould allow even persons not registeredunder an approved competent personscheme to:■ Replace an existing light fitting■ Replace a faulty switch or socket

without notification.

All other work in kitchens is notifiable. ■ Extract from approved document P subject to agreement with ODPM

Locations containing a bath tub or shower basinSwimming pools or paddling poolsHot air saunasElectric floor or ceiling heating systemsGarden lighting or power installationsSolar photovoltaic (PV) power supply systemsSmall scale generators such as microCHP unitsExtra-low voltage lighting installations, other than pre-assembled, CE-marked lighting sets

Notes:(a) See IEE Guidance Note 7 which gives more guidance on achieving sage installations where risks to people are greater

Work consisting of:

Replacing accessories such as socket-outlets, control switches and ceiling rosesReplacing the cable for a single circuit only, where damaged, for example, by fire, rodent or impact(a)

Re-fixing or replacing the enclosures of existing installation components (b)

Providing mechnical protection to existing fixed installations (c)

Work that is not in a kitchen or special location and does not involve a special installation(d) and consists of:

Adding lighting points (light fittings and switches) to an existing circuit (e)

Installing or upgrading main or supplementary equipotential bonding (f)

Notes:(a) On condition that the replacement cable has the same current carrying capacity, follows the same route and

does not serve more than one sub-circuit through a distribution board(b) If the circuit’s protective measures are unaffected(c) If the circuit’s protective measures and current-carrying capacity of conductors are unaffected by increased

thermal insulation(d) Special locations and installations are listed in Table 2(e) Only if the existing circuit protective device is suitable and provides protection for the modified circuit, and other

relevant safety provisions are satisfactory(f) Such work shall comply with other applicable legislation, such as the Gas Safety (Installation and Use)

Regulation.

TABLE 1: WORK THAT NEED NOT BE NOTIFIED TO BUILDING CONTROL BODIES

TABLE 2: SPECIAL LOCATIONS AND INSTALLATIONS (a)

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PAPERWORK ANDPROCEDURESBy Bill Allan and Geoff Cronshaw

TASKS OF THE SCHEME OPERATOR – IN RELATIONTO A COMPETENT PERSON OR FIRMIt is presently envisaged that the operator of thecompetent person scheme will:■ Give a Building Regulations self-certification

certificate to the person ordering the work(presumably the householder), and

■ Give a copy of the information on the self-certification certificate to the relevant localauthority as a declaration of compliance withthe Building Regulations

In some cases, however, the scheme operator mayplace the onus on the competent person/firm toissue the Building Regulations self-certificationcertificate to the householder.

TASKS OF THE COMPETENT PERSON OR FIRMThe person or firm registered with a competentperson self-certification scheme does not have tonotify the building control body before starting

notifiable work. He/she must however:■ Issue the appropriate BS 7671

certification to the person ordering thework on completion of the work;

■ Notify his scheme operator ofthe work carried out on

completion of thework.

Inaddition asreferred to abovethe competent personmay also have to:■ Issue a Building Regulations self-

certification certificate to the person orderingthe work on completion of the work.

The competent person or firm will also berequired to offer the householder the opportunity topurchase an insurance backed guarantee againstnon-compliance of electrical installation work withBuilding Regulations.

TASKS OF THE UNREGISTERED PERSON OR FIRMThe person or firm not registered with a competentperson scheme must notify the building controlbody before starting work, either by:■ Making a ‘full plans application’ to the local

authority and waiting for approval to start work;■ Giving a ‘building notice’ to the local authority

before starting work.

When using a private ‘Approved Inspector’, theInspector will give an ‘initial notice’ to the localauthority before work starts.

TASKS OF THE BUILDING CONTROL BODY – INRELATION TO AN UNREGISTERED PERSON OR FIRMOn being notified of electrical installation work beingundertaken by an unregistered person or firm, thebuilding control body will be responsible for theinspection and testing of the work, to ensurecompliance with the building regulations. This doesnot remove the obligation on the person or firm tocarry out the appropriate BS 7671 inspection and tests.

A local authority only needs to issue a BuildingRegulations completion certificate to thehouseholder in the case of a full plans application,and if requested to do so at the time the applicationwas made.

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STATUTORY REGULATIONRegulation has finally hit electrical contracting indwellings. Electricians are now not only expected toknow the requirements of BS 7671 for electricalinstallations but also requirements of Part P of theBuilding Regulations. But it doesn’t stop there. Theyneed a good understanding of those otherrequirements of the Building Regulations that impactupon electrical installations (this is not new).Although the owner/developer has primeresponsibility for ensuring compliance with allaspects of the building regulations in a new propertyor a refurbished property, customers will expect theelectrician to know enough about the BuildingRegulations to keep them on the straight and narrow.Not only will electrical contractors have tounderstand limitations on notching and drillingjoists, chasing walls, provision of smoke alarms,accessibility for people with disabilities etc., but alsothe requirements of a range of Office of the DeputyPrime Minister approved documents.

Help is at hand, as the new IEE publication, TheElectricians Guide to the Building Regulations, isbeing written specifically to help electricians in theircurrent predicament.

THERMAL AND SOUND INSTALLATIONOne of the features of a modern dwelling is therequirement in Parts E and L to meet the thermal andsound deadening requirements of the BuildingRegulations. The IEE recently carried out some workto determine specific ratings for twin with earthcables when insulated in a thermally insulated wall

(see table 4D5A of BS7671, table 6F of the On Site Guide).However, with the extent of insulation today, there are situationswhen electricians cannot meet the requirements to have the cabletouching one side of a conducting wall or ceiling. Cables maytoday unavoidably be totally covered in insulation for part oftheir length. The new Electrician’s Guide to the BuildingRegulations includes some simple standardised circuits,including for cables totally enclosed in thermal insulation forparts of their length. The design requires the use of the newwhite coloured Low Smoke Twin Flat and CPC (6242B,Thermosetting 90°C, BS7211) cables. Another feature of the newguide is its particular user friendliness. ■

A StructureB Fire safetyC Site Preparation and resistance to moistureD Toxic substancesE Resistance to the passage of soundF VentilationG HygieneH Drainage and waste disposalJ Combustion appliances and fuel storage systemsK Protection from falling, collision and impactL Conservation of fuel and powerM Access and facilities for disabled peopleN Glazing – safety in relation to impact,

opening and cleaningP Electrical Safety

APPROVED SCOPEDOCUMENT

THE ELECTRICIAN’SGUIDE TO THEBUILDINGREGULATIONS

By Paul Cook