Electrics

If you are swapping an existing fitting without extending the cables there is no need to notify the Local Building Control Office (LBCO). If you need to extend the wiring to a new position then because its within a Kitchen this needs to be notified to the LBCO and a minor works certificate would need completing.

The short answer is that due to the size of the job it would be cheaper to have a Part P DI firm do the work than pay the LBCO to sign off the work as they would charge you for testing if they have an electrician in house or they would ask you to pay a competent person to test the work.

Some notes of caution:

1. If adding cable to the home the chances are it will be the new harmonised colours which are brown/blue as opposed to red/black, when two types exist on a system a warning label must be placed on the distribution board notifying users and maintainers of this fact.

2. Since the launch of the 17th edition in 2008 all connections must be accessible for inspection, testing and maintenance without the need to disturb the fabric of the building or the need to go to great extents to gain access. If joints are used and are inaccessible then they should be the maintenance free type, choc-blocks and any junction box using screw terminals are no longer compliant.

3. The 17th edition requires all electrical work, whether it is under Part P or an extra socket in a room not covered by Part P should be tested by a competent person using the correct test equipment and a certificate issued.

4. Insurance companies are aware that harmonised colours were introduced before Part P. In the event of an electrical fire the first thing they may ask for is the certificate for any electrical work.

I’m a self builder plus electrician and love to do as much of the work as I can but unfortunately for the self builder and DIY’er that has the ability, electrical work is going the same way as gas and some may ask why but when you witness some of the death traps I do on a daily basis you can appreciate things need tightening up and its sad to say but a lot of the scary stuff is not DIY its jobs done by trades.

A bit long winded but I hope it’s of use