Electrical Safety - Good Idea Leaflet from Wickes DIY

Why have you introduced the new rules?

• To reduce the number of deaths, injuries and fires caused by faulty electrical installations.

• To make it harder for 'cowboy builders' to leave electrical installations in an unsafe condition.

What should I do if I want to do some electrical work?

• See BELOW (who is going to do the work?) to check if you need to tell your local authority's Building Control Department before you start the work.

What will happen if I do not follow the Building Regulations?

• The electrical installation might not be safe.

• You will have no record of the work done.

• You may have difficulty selling your home if you do not have the right electrical safety certificates.

• Your local authority's Building Control Department may insist that you put right faulty work.

• From your local authority's Building Control Department.

• We publish a free 'Explanatory Booklet on the Building Regulations'.
Phone 0870 1226 236 or visit
www.communities.gov.uk/explanatory-booklet for a copy.

• 'Approved Document P' explains how to meet the new rules. You can download this free of charge from www.communities.gov.uk/approveddocuments.

• Or you can buy a printed copy for £15 from RIBA Bookshops. (To order, phone 020 7256 7222 or visit www.thebuildingregs.com

When did the new rules start?

From 1 January 2005, people carrying out electrical work in homes and gardens in England and Wales will have to follow the new rules in the Building Regulations. 

Who is going to do the work?

A You do not need to tell your local authority's Building Control Department about:

• Repairs, replacements and maintenance work;

• Extra power points or lighting points or other alterations to existing circuits (except in a kitchen or bathroom, or outdoors).

• You need to tell them about most other work. If you are not sure about this, or you have any questions, ask your local authority's Building Control Department.

B Why should I use an installer who is registered with a competent person scheme?

• Members of schemes can deal with all the new rules for you.

• Members are qualified to carry out electrical work.

• Members will give you a certificate to confirm their work follows the new rules.

• You will not have to pay Building Control charges.

• You will have the option of taking out an insurance-backed guarantee for the work.

• You will have access to a formal complaints procedure if you are not happy with the work.

• To contact one of the competent person schemes, phone one of the numbers given over the page. Registered installers are in the process of becoming members of the new building trades Quality Schemes launched in 2005. Quality Schemes members will offer consumer's more protection than the minimum protection registered installers must offer.

Authorised competent person self-certification schemes for installers who can do all electrical installation work:

BRE Certification Ltd
 - Phone: 0870 609 6093
 Website: www.partp.co.uk
British Standards Institution - Phone: 01442 230442

ELECSA Limited - Phone: 0870 749 0080

NAPIT Certification Limited - Phone: 0870444 1392 


NICEIC Certification Services Ltd - Phone: 08000130900 


Authorised competent person self-certification schemes for installers who can do electrical work only if it is necessary when they are carrying out other work:

CORGI Services Limited - Phone: 01256 372200


ELECSA Limited - Phone: 0870 749 0080

NAPIT Certification Limited - Phone: 0870444 1392 


NICEIC Certification Services Ltd - Phone: 08000130900


OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association for the Petroleum Industry Limited) - Phone: 0845 658 5080