Guide To Part P Regulations.

Changes have been made to the building regulations, recently announced by the office of the deputy Prime Minister (ODPM)

This means that from the 1st of January 2005, for the first time, electrical work carried out in "dwellings" must be notified to your local building control officer.

The notification must be made before work starts, unless it is to be carried out by a "competent person" who is on the approved register and who is therefore capable of "self testing" their own work.

Although building control officers may undertake a "visible check" of the installed cables etc... a competent person will be required to undertake the final Inspection, Test and Verification.

Part P Requirements applies to electrical installations in buildings or parts of buildings comprising:
• Dwelling houses and flats
• Dwelling and business premises that have a common supply, for example shops and public houses with a flat above.
• Common access areas in blocks of flats such as corridors and staircases
• Shared amenities of blocks of flats such as laundries and gymnasiums.
• In or on land associated with the building - for example Part P applies to fixed lighting and pond pumps in gardens:
• In out building such as such as sheds, detached garages and greenhouses.