Hallsy said:
Do you always have to contact building control though, does it not depend on who is inspecting it?
Yes and no.
Unless the electrician is going to lie to LABC, and say that he did the work, then you must notify them in advance. Nobody except a Building Inspector can certify someone else's work as complaint with the Building Regulations.
A friend of mine recently got a quote for a re-wire and had someone reputable quote him (well, he'd done work on grand designs anyway!!), he said he would be happy for my mate to do all the cahsing, etc to keep the cost down and he would do the rest.
I wonder if the electrician realises that whoever certifies the work is not just doing an electrical certification - he is also saying that the work complies with all the other Building Regulations that apply - structural, fire, soundproofing etc etc..
Went around there the other day to help him chase, etc and now the electrician is saying that he is happy for him to get a mate to do all the re-wire (not qualified) and then he would inspect and sign off if all OK.
You/your mate need to get a very clear statement from the electrician about what sort of inspection and testing he plans to do, and what sort of certificate he is going to issue, and if he is
registered to be able to notify,
and will be notifying, LABC to say that he has done the work and that it complies with the Building Regulations.
In this case would my mate have to contact building control, or as this electrician can supposedly certifcate other peoples work is there no need? Unfortunately my friend doesn;t understand much to do with electrics and didn't ask too many questions, such as Part P compliance, etc.
The law is quite clear - unless the work is done by someone who is able to
self-certify compliance, then it
must be notified to LABC in advance, no matter what arrangements you might have made for a qualified person to inspect & test it.
. . . . .
SparkyTris said:
I've just been through this, and this is how I understand it:
Now that the IEE wiring regulations are part of the building regulations
No they are not. Please read the law.
(part P, in fact), you have to get "planning" (?) permission from the LABC to do a re-wiring or indeed various other electrical mods in a dwelling, just as you might for a loft conversion or extension.
No - you don't need planning permission.
That involves sending plans to the LABC for the work and an estimate of the cost.
Or a Building Notice - needs less info than full plans submission.
For a fee (which is proportionate to the estimate of cost) LABC will then consider and either pass or fail your plans. LABC will also then notify their electrical people to come over and inspect and test the work at their own expense (providing you have paid the aforementioned fee)
That's the theory...
The testing electrician will then either pass or fail the installation. If pass then the PIR goes to LABC and you are part P compliant; if fail then you try again.
Should be more than a PIR...?
Exactly what the purpose of involving LABC is I do not know, other than complying with the law; I don't think you get any benefit out of that.
The PIR activity and document is very worthwhile in terms of safety and reliability of the installation.
Thought you said that you couldn't see the purpose of it?
I think it might become more valuable in the near future with the advent of sellers packs.(?)
Don't hold your breath...
I suppose LABCs will differ greatly, but my "plans" were passed without question, and they consisted of a hand-drawn floor plans of the property with red crosses for power sockets and blue crosses for lights... not exactly a full engineering design!
And no hassles with them wanting to charge you for the electrician, or trying to get you to provide your own? Excellent. Which LABC, if you don't mind me asking?