Electrical regs - the Government responds...

Yes I got that email too. A typical whitewash response that avoids the main issues raised.
AWEM

Does anyone know of any petitions on that site ..were the government have backed down. NOT seen one yet !!!
all the best.mark

The response is inadequate and unfit for purpose. It fails to address the points raised and instead provides an unwanted explanation of Part P which does not justify its imposition.
I suggest you all complain to your MPs and demand a proper response. I will.
-adrian

Agreed, a complete whitewash of a response. However what I found interesting was the content of the second paragraph of the response section; unless I misunderstood it, it seems minor work permitted includes adding sockets except for those in 'restricted areas' such as bathrooms. Martin.

Hmm Man in big house, he talk lies...
"Part P competent person schemes are similar to the CORGI gas safety scheme which has been very successful in significantly reducing the number of gas safety incidents."
Wrong!
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 specifically DO NOT require registration or approval of those who are not employed or self employed in gas installation work. They DO require that all persons doing gas installation work be competent. But then so have the Wiring Regs aka BS 7671 required people doing electrical work to be competent ever since they were written.
Mark Rand RTFM

Just another form of stealth tax.
Odie

I too found that interesting, and unambiguous; The answer says adding sockets and lighting to an existing circuit is permitted, except in the high risk areas. Equally maintenance is permitted.
So, I am allowed to add a new lamp or socket in my garage or dining room (existing circuit, not a bathroom, kitchen or outdoors). Equally, I am permitted to maintain my outdoor lights, which might include replacement due to corrosion or other effects of being out in the weather.
If I carried out such works, and then sold the house in a few years, the surveyor would find a mix of old (pre regs) and new wiring. But the new would be permitted works. But, I bet the surveyor will insist on seeing the certificate of compliance....
Sounds like a mess (again).
- Nigel

They seem to have back peddled on the road pricing idea.
tox

Adding sockets and lights is permitted except in a kitchen, bathroom and outdoors. Work in a shed or workshop is permitted but a cable running outdoors to feed it would not.
Yes you can maintain your outside lights or bathroom lights provided they are replaced on a like for like basis.
Anything involving adding new circuits / rewiring, 12 volt lights that are not pre wired and CE marked, and adding stuff in a kitchen bathroom or garden are not permitted
The certificate of compliance is just that, that the work complies with building regs, not just Part P but that holes in joists are made in the right place etc. Another certificate must be issued first, and that's the electrical installation certificate or minor works certificate, they are legal document and proves compliance with BS7671. These certificates have been required for many years and MUST be issued after any installation work has taken place, even changing a light fitting. As these are a legal document that can be used as evidence against you, should something go wrong. It therefore stands to reason that you should be suitably competant and own the correct test gear in order to complete one. If you are not competant to fill in the certificate it is my opinion that you are also not competant to do electrical work unsupervised. So, the surveyor won't insist on seeing the certificate of compliance but will insist on seeing the minor works certificate that should have been filled out.
IMHO The whole point of part P dispite what the government tells you is 2 fold, 1 to make all electrical work traceable so someone's insurance company can sue someone else when something goes wrong, and secondly to make the Bosses of the NICEIC very rich. With no mention of reducing deaths!
Graham

Ah, but a competent person (under the Wiring Regs) can test and certify an installation's compliance (or otherwise) with the Wiring Regs.
Indeed. If one wishes to create a seller's pack when selling the house, then a wiring inspection would be called for anyway.
Compliance with the Part P tax isn't needed for the above...
Mark Rand RTFM

That'll happen sooner or later, I'm sure.
Tim

government Bring in Canal pricing, that's what I say !
AWEM

Absolutely. Followed swiftly by regulations for certification of canal boat repair operatives
Regards, Tony

And yearly inspection of narrowboats.
Mark Rand RTFM

It's at least partly so that people who wire up their attics (ar get a Part P electrician to do it for them - he has to tell the council) have to tell their local councils - who can then increase the rates.
Or at least that was the original purpose - but an MP's daughter died from a faulty appliance while the regs were being discussed, so they tagged on some "safety" bits.
'Course she died from a faulty appliance, not faulty mains wiring ...

In article , Andrew Mawson writes Carnal pricing - I though there was a word for that. Oh, I misread it...
David

...but of course, if the mains wiring hadn't been there, the faulty appliance wouldn't have killed her, so its the wiring that was at fault...
Regards, Tony

The immediate response to the petition by the minister was "we intend to do this anyway"

They have to have 4-yearly inspections now, that's bad enough :-(
Tim