To help contractors understand Part P of the Building Regulations, the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has published new guidance. Entitled ‘Part P of the Building Regulations – Explained’, the guide sets out what type of electrical work is affected by the new regulations, who is affected and how the compliance and notification process works.
Since 1 January 2005, all electrical installation work carried out in dwellings in England and Wales is subject to Part P of the Building Regulations. Electrical installation work, with certain ‘minor work’ exceptions, now needs to be notified to a Building Control Body before the work starts, unless it is to be carried out by a ‘Competent Person’ – an individual or company registered with one of the government approved schemes to self-certify that their work complies with the new requirements. Examples of notifiable and non-notifiable work are provided by the new guide.
The guide explains how contractors can gain ‘Competent Person’ status and lists the current scheme providers. It also explains the notification process and provides a useful question and answer section covering the main areas of concern for electrical contractors.
Giuliano Digilio, Head of ECA Technical Services, said: “There is a lot of information out there on Part P. We hope that this ECA guide brings all the necessary information together to address common questions and to help contractors decide whether they need to register for Competent Person status.”
Copies of ‘Part P of the Building Regulations – Explained’ are available free of charge from the ECA Technical Department, tel: 020 7313 4800, or can be downloaded from the ECA’s website: www.eca.co.uk
