Can I do this as a DIYer???

[Need Help21]

People.

Around a year ago I had a new kitchen installed with associated wiring, as part of this I commissioned a fully qualified electrician to replace and sign off sign off all wiring in the house. All wires are new colours and signed off to 16th regs.

As part of the above (which I wanted to be quick and cheap), two of the three upstairs bedrooms have only one single gang socket and the third bedroom has one single gang and a double gang socket.

As part of the redecoration of the upstairs bedrooms, please advise if I can undertake the following myself as a DIYer without notifying my local building control:-


1. Replace the two existing single gang sockets with double gangs. I'm not looking for a "bodge" type single gang to double gang convertors. I'm looking to replace both the socket and backbox.

2. Move an existing double socket to a new location 1.5m away in the same room ( I know for a fact that there is sufficient 2.5mm to facilitate the movement without wire renewal).

3. All of the existing sockets are part of the upstairs ring. If the existing single gangs were replaced with doubles, can I add an additional double socket to each ring as a spur.

4. As a better alternative to 3 above, can I extend the existing ring and if so, by how many sockets?

Many thanks




Need Help

 

[Paul_C]

As part of the redecoration of the upstairs bedrooms, please advise if I can undertake the following myself as a DIYer without notifying my local building control:-

1. Replace the two existing single gang sockets with double gangs. I'm not looking for a "bodge" type single gang to double gang convertors. I'm looking to replace both the socket and backbox.

2. Move an existing double socket to a new location 1.5m away in the same room ( I know for a fact that there is sufficient 2.5mm to facilitate the movement without wire renewal).

Both of these are exempt from building control notification.

3. All of the existing sockets are part of the upstairs ring. If the existing single gangs were replaced with doubles, can I add an additional double socket to each ring as a spur.

Yes, the Regs. permit one single or one twin socket to be run as a spur from the ring.

4. As a better alternative to 3 above, can I extend the existing ring and if so, by how many sockets?

Yes. If you extend the existing ring you can add as many sockets as you like, subject to the ring not exceeding the floor area specified in the Regs. of 100 sq. m.

 

[rebuke]

One thing to mention with regards #2, is make sure that any cabling you put in (or already exists) is in / still in safe zones after the move (safe zones are horizontally across from and vertically above and below an accessory (socket etc), plus a few others)...

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Do I see a mention of MWC coming on?

 

[Need Help21]

People,

Your assistance has been very much appreciated.

Do you think it would be prudent to consult my local building control to advise them of my proposed alterations (perhaps adding a copy of this thread) and see if they can provide confirmation that I do not have to notify them formally.

The reason I think this may be a good idea is so that when I come to sell the house (and the number of sockets on the certification is then not consistent with the number in the house) I can provide evidence that I have consulted the local building control and that they do not require formal notifcation.

This would then prevent any holding up or stalling of house sale and provide reassurance of legal alterations of the electrical system to a new purchaser.

Many Thanks




Need Help21

 

[Paul_C]

Do you think it would be prudent to consult my local building control to advise them of my proposed alterations (perhaps adding a copy of this thread) and see if they can provide confirmation that I do not have to notify them formally.

I wouldn't. There is absolutely no doubt over your proposed alterations not being notifiable. The less the bureaucrats at your local council get involved, the better.

 

[rebuke]

No, you can provide assurance to anybody by showing them Schedule 2B from Part P, which is the list of work that doesn't require notification, in particular:

2. Work which -

(a) is not in a kitchen, or a special location,

(b) does not involve work on a special installation, and

(c) consists of -


(i) adding light fittings and switches to an
existing circuit or

(ii) adding socket outlets and fused spurs to an
existing ring or radial circuit.

Contacting your LABC will probably result in them either getting very confused, telling you to pay them a fee, or telling you to use an electrician, they're unlikely to provide a written confirmation to you, and they don't need to, since it is quite clear from the regs...

 

[Paul_C]

Contacting your LABC will probably result in them either getting very confused, telling you to pay them a fee, or telling you to use an electrician, they're unlikely to provide a written confirmation to you, and they don't need to, since it is quite clear from the regs...

Precisely. They often don't know the law, or will try to ignore it and make up their own rules as they go along. If they think they can get away with taking money from you when there was no authority to do so, they will.

 

[LiamPope]

As above - don't tell LABC anything they don't need to know! Non-notifiable means non-notifiable. You won't have problems at house selling time. Solicitor/surveyor will know what they are looking for.

Liam

 

[sparkyspike]

Do I see a mention of MWC coming on?

MWC.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

MWC.

I should have been a psychic

 

[sparkybird]

Just to add, make sure that all the existing sockets are RCD protected, as under the 17th, any new sockets and cables concealed in walls need to be.

If they have no RCD protection, you'll need to make changes at the fuse board, which is notificable....

SB

 

[Paul_C]

But remember that you are under no legal obligation to follow every detail of the current edition of BS7671.

 

[RF Lighting]

But working to BS7671 will ensure compliance with the building regs, which you are legally obliged to follow.

 

[Paul_C]

But working to BS7671 will ensure compliance with the building regs, which you are legally obliged to follow.

Yes, but conversely failure to comply with every little detail of the current edition of BS7671 doesn't mean that you have not complied with the Building Regs., which demand only "reasonable provision" for safety.