securespark said:
Just spoken to Ken Bromley at ODPM (020 7944 4400) and he informs me that bonding work in special locations IS notifiable, but outside special locations, it is not.
There was no need to speak to the ODPM - If you look at what actual law says, you'll see this:
[code:1]
PART 2
NEW SCHEDULE 2B TO THE BUILDING REGULATIONS 2000
SCHEDULE 2B
Regulation 12(5)
DESCRIPTIONS OF WORK WHERE NO BUILDING NOTICE OR DEPOSIT OF FULL PLANS REQUIRED
1. Work consisting of -
(a) replacing any socket-outlet, control switch or ceiling rose;
(b) replacing a damaged cable for a single circuit only;
(c) re-fixing or replacing enclosures of existing installation components, where the circuit protective measures are unaffected;
(d) providing mechanical protection to an existing fixed installation, where the circuit protective measures and current carrying capacity of conductors are unaffected by the increased thermal insulation.
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;
(ii) adding socket outlets and fused spurs to an existing ring or radial circuit; or
(iii) installing or upgrading main or supplementary equipotential bonding.
3. Work on -
(a) telephone wiring or extra-low voltage wiring for the purposes of communications, information technology, signalling, control and similar purposes, where the wiring is not in a special location;
(b) equipment associated with the wiring referred to in sub-paragraph (a).[/code:1]
So installing or upgrading bonding is non-notifiable only if it's not in a kitchen or a special location.
He also confirmed that changing a CU is notifiable regardless of location, because it is not classed as a "Minor Works".
Interesting that he feels that he can make arbitrary decisions about what is or is not notifiable. There is no mention of the term "Minor Works" in the law. Ken Bromley can say what he like, but he might as well say that work only becomes notifiable if done by a red-haired electrician for all the legal status his sayings have.
That said, in a brazen display of hypocritical inconsistency, if I wanted to replace my CU, I
would use the advice from the ODPM.
Here
http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_buildreg/documents/page/odpm_breg_033480.hcsp
and here:
http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_buildreg/documents/page/odpm_breg_033485.pdf
it says:
You do not need to tell your local authority’s Building Control Department about:
- repairs, replacements and maintenance work; or
- extra power points or lighting points or other alterations to existing circuits (except in a kitchen or bathroom, or outdoors).
I would say that it's perfectly reasonable to class a new CU as "repairs, replacements and maintenance work"....
He also told me that the LA's have the power to relax or dispense with certain requirements of Part P.
I think that LABCs have the power to relax or dispense with the entire Building Regs if they want...
The ODPM, he goes on to say, relies on LA's and electricians to inform customers of the new regulations.
Like any electrician registered with the COR scheme is going to do that...
