Is it normal to ask a Part P sparky this?

[Laggy]

Hi everyone

I’ve built my own large extension and, at the start of the project, about four years ago, I had a Part P sparky mate who agreed with me that if I do the first and second fix electrics up to standard, then he would test and sign it off.

Well four years later I’ve finished the electrics. Problem is, my mate has since left being a domestic sparky and let his certification expire.

I’m confident another sparky will think I’ve done a neat and proper job. But how usual it is to call a local sparky you don’t know, and ask them to test and certify work they themselves haven’t done?

I’d like to know this before I start making the calls.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[flameport]

You can get someone to inspect and test the installation, and they can issue an electrical installation condition report.

What would normally be provided for a new installation would be an installation certificate, however that would either be completed by the person overseeing the whole installation, or for larger ones those who designed, installed and tested it.
Such a thing isn't going to happen 4 years later.

In terms of notification to building control or 'part p', no one else can do that - if an electrician had installed it all originally and was a member of one of the schemes, they could have notified it, but only if they did the installation and in any case it would have to be done within 30 days, which was obviously exceeded long ago.

However a 'large extension' surely was notifiable to building control anyway, so you will need to enquire with them as to what document(s) they expect and will accept for the electrical installation.

 

[Laggy]

Thanks, but I don’t really understand where I, urgh, stand..?

Building control have been involved from the start. They want a Part P certificate.

Is it normal to approach a local sparky and ask for them to test and certify work they haven’t done themselves?

 

[flameport]

They want a Part P certificate.

No such thing.
Go back and ask them exactly what they want, or will accept.

All you can get now from some other electrician is an inspection report (EICR) - so that is what building control will have to be given.
If they won't accept that, the only remaining option is for building control to arrange their own test and inspection.

 

[Laggy]

Wow ok thanks for the information, so it it normal to go to a sparky and get a EICR for work they haven’t done themselves?

 

[Murdochcat]

They want a Part P certificate.

I think they mean they want the work notified by a CPS member. I’m a Napit mug and they provide a part P compliance certificate and electronic notification to the appropriate BCO

So you need to ask your BCO, in writing what they will accept?

Some will say an EICR, others will only accept an EICR from their approved sparks

It’s a mess, so just ask before you do anything and potentially waste money

 

[flameport]

so it it normal to go to a sparky and get a EICR for work they haven’t done themselves?

Yes. An EICR is normally used for an existing installation which could be years or decades old.

In your case it's technically the wrong thing, but due to the circumstances it's the only thing that can be done.

 

[Notch7]

I believe building control can do the inspection, testing and certification, but you have to notify them before works commences, so not sure if they would consider it an option

In regards to ringing a sparky that doesnt know you from Adam........you would need to find a very kindly electrician, maybe you stand a chance if you can say it done under the supervision of a qualified person.



Certification by a building control body

3.8 If an installer is not a registered competent person and has not appointed a registered third-party certifier, then before work begins the installer must notify a building control body.

3.9 The building control body will determine the extent of the inspection and testing needed for it to establish that the work is safe, based on the nature of the electrical work and the competence of the installer. The building control body may choose to carry out any necessary inspection and testing itself or it may contract a specialist (electrical contractor or electrician) to carry out some or all of the work and furnish it with an electrical installation condition report.

3.10 An installer who is not a registered competent person but who is competent to carry out inspection and testing should give the appropriate BS 7671 certificate to the building control body, who will then take the certificate and the installer’s qualifications into account in deciding what further action, if any, it needs to take. Building control bodies may ask installers for evidence of their qualifications.

3.11 This can result in a lower building control charge as, when setting its charge, a local authority is required by the Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 2010 to take account of the amount of inspection work that it considers it will need to carry out.

3.12 Once the building control body has decided that, as far as can be ascertained, the work meets all Building Regulation requirements, it will issue to the occupier a Building Regulations completion certificate (if a local authority) or a final certificate (if an approved inspector).

DIY Electrical Works – is it worth it, and how does Part P affect me?

Information on how Part P effects you, what to do about it and how to ensure your electrical equipment is safe.

www.electrical-testing.co.uk

 

[ericmark]

Back about 2005 I had a problem, we had got a builder to turn a pantry and outside toilet into a wet room, they ran off in the middle of the job, and I thought up to that point all was above board.

So I told the local authority building control I was taking over the job, only at that point did I find out they had not been informed, lucky as work was for my disabled mum, no charges, and he did accept we had not tried to do things on the sly, and accepted all the building work except for the electrics.

It seems since the LABC inspector did not know anything about electrics he wanted to select an electrician they trusted to inspect and test, this I would need to pay for, and the fee would depend on how many visits he had to make, so like signing a blank cheque, any work done before he gives the go ahead for that section he can ask to be re-exposed, unless he did not attend within 14 days after we said ready for next stage, so looking at rather a large bill, and a delay, unless we could persuade the LABC inspector to accept our signatures.

Both my son and I held C&G 2391, and we had the test equipment on display, together with the calibration certificates, he was not keen on accepting our signatures, my son said well my dad has a degree, so I hope your guy is better qualified, and then he backed down and allowed me to sign the installation certificate.

Other councils may look on it different, and this was in the early days of Part P, but at the end of the day, you have to convince the LABC that you are a “qualified person” (means a person competent to undertake the inspection and testing required under regulation 3(1) and any further investigative or remedial work in accordance with the electrical safety standards or a Competent person. (A person who possesses sufficient technical knowledge, relevant practical skills and experience for the nature of the electrical work undertaken and is able at all times to prevent danger and, where appropriate, injury to him/herself and others.) think name now changed to skilled person.

You may note it does not stipulate what exams are required to have been passed, so the the form is to be found here so step one is for you to complete the form. With the form completed you can present it to the LABC who will clearly say they wanted some one else to do the inspection and testing, however by completing the form you are showing you have the skills to DIY the work, even if you had failed to tick the right boxes on the application form.

Putting it bluntly if you can't fill in the form, you should not had done the work, but even if you get your friendly electrician to help you, if you have completed the form, you can claim you thought that's what they wanted, and then see what they say.

 

[Laggy]

Thanks a lot for all your responses, my dad is a 3 phase commercial electrician with 18th edition but not a registered competent person for domestic, so maybe building control will accept him filling out the certificate? I’ll ask them.

Thanks again, might’ve saved me money!