Electric boiler installation and building regulations

[kjm1987]

Can anyone please tell me definitively whether the replacement of an electric boiler (on a wet underfloor heating system) requires building control notification, and which are the relevant regs?

I'm having a botched installation rectified (a Gas Safe registered installer who said he was qualified to install it, which the manufacturer accepted for the warranty), and it has come up whether it should have been notified (it wasn't). I've asked the manufacturer and they said not as far as they're aware (unless there's a new circuit added under Part P) but the building control inspector says yes it does (but asked me to send them the relevant clauses from the building regulations which doesn't fill me with confidence...)

As far as I'm aware, the possibly relevant notification requirements come under:
1. Section 3, clause 12(6). Covers the general notification via the relevant competent person schemes. There's no explicit reference to electric heat-producing appliances (like there are for gas and oil), but there's a very broad category of "Installation of heating or hot water system" in row 4 or "Installation of...an electric heating system" in row 7 of the table.
2. Part L (clause 44). There seems to be a distinct notification of commissioning requirement under Part L. Looks like any (re)commissioning of a heating system needs to be notified and compliance with BS7593 demonstrated
3. Part P (per above, if there's a new circuit added then yes but there wasn't in this case so not relevant).

Thanks in advance!

 

[denso13]

If the building control inspector says yes, I'd ask him/her what they need from you to comply.

By the way, all electrical works fall under Part P, but notification is a different thing.

Do the manufacturer's instruction give any guidance? Some ask for a dedicated radial circuit which would need notification.

 

[kjm1987]

The building control inspector says yes it falls under the broad 'installation of a heating system' category (after I pointed it out to them), and that I need to have it 'regularised' i.e. inspected by them for a fee. But because they don't seem to be sure, I obviously don't want to have pay for that if it's not really necessary - it doesn't cost them anything to err on the side of caution and say it's notifiable!

The Part P approved documents sets out the certification, inspection and testing requirements of notifiable work.

No the installation instructions just require compliance with all building regulations, but doesn't specify any notification requirements. It seems like there is at the very least now a notification requirement under Part L regardless of whether there is a clause 12(6) notification requirement

 

[denso13]

The Part P approved documents sets out the certification, inspection and testing requirements of notifiable work.

Yes, which is different to Part P of the building regs.

The building control inspector says yes it falls under the broad 'installation of a heating system' category (after I pointed it out to them), and that I need to have it 'regularised' i.e. inspected by them for a fee. But because they don't seem to be sure, I obviously don't want to have pay for that if it's not really necessary - it doesn't cost them anything to err on the side of caution and say it's notifiable!

I can't find anything which says a building regs application/notification is required for the boiler in itself. Which boiler is it? Is it a new build or replacement?

 

[kjm1987]

Sorry I think that's a pretty pointless distinction - all that matters is that there's a clear notification requirement for work subject to part P in the building regulations. "A person intending to carry out building work in relation to which Part P of Schedule 1 imposes a requirement is required to give a building notice..."

Thanks for the replies so far but if you're not sure, then let's just leave it to someone who may know. Thanks

 

[denso13]

Thanks for the replies so far but if you're not sure, then let's just leave it to someone who may know. Thanks

Ask the building control officer to tell you what certification you need to comply and under what regulation. If he/she says you need it then it matters not a jot what anyone on here says.

Which boiler is it? Is it a new build or replacement?

 

[denso13]

all that matters is that there's a clear notification requirement for work subject to part P in the building regulations.

I am really sorry if you find this overly pedantic but all domestic electrical work is subject to Part P of the building regs.

Not all domestic electrical works require notification as described in Approved Document P. They are two distinctly different things.

 

[kjm1987]

No of course not all electrical work requires notification - I didn't say it did. But whether the notification requirement is physically written in the Part P paragraph of the document or under the notification section of the document covering Part P, is a completely pointless distinction.

Again, please let's leave it to someone who knows the answer.

 

[denso13]

Which boiler is it?

 

[denso13]

But whether the notification requirement is physically written in the Part P paragraph of the document or under the notification section of the document covering Part P, is a completely pointless distinction.

With respect, I disagree. You are asking for relevant regs to counter what the Building Control officer is asking for. The terminology is important.

 

[denso13]

Which boiler is it?

First two that came up on a search clearly say they require notification.

"BOILERS REGARDLESS OF FUEL TYPE ARE CLASSED AS NOTIFIABLE WORKS."

 

[kjm1987]

"BOILERS REGARDLESS OF FUEL TYPE ARE CLASSED AS NOTIFIABLE WORKS." This is what the building inspector quoted at me to begin with but then could not tell me the specific regulations. So if his understanding of the relevant regulations consists of a Google search then he doesn't know the answer