What is Part P?

Part P of the Building Regulations came into force in January 2005 to ensure that all electrical work carried out within a home or garden is carried out safely by a qualified electrician and that building control is notified of the work.

Anyone carrying out electrical work in homes and gardens in England and Wales has to follow the rules set out in Part P of the Building Regulations to comply with the law. Part P was introduced to reduce the number of deaths, fires and injuries caused by faulty electrical installations carried out by cowboy electricians or DIYers leaving homes with dangerous wiring.

Part P defines electrical work as notifiable and non-notifiable

Most work is notifable, including:-

 - Rewires
 - New single circuits added to an existing installation
 - Most outdoor works including wiring to sheds/garages
 - Consumer unit changes

Non-notifiable works includes:-

 - Minor work not in a bathroom
 - Swapping sockets, switches or accessories
 
Whether or not works are notifiable they are still covered by Part P of the building regulations meaning that ALL WORK MUST BE TESTED AND A CERTIFICATE ISSUED


Why is it important to use a Part P certified firm

Part P certified electricians will only install electrical wiring, fittings and appliances following all the rules and to BS 7671 national safety standards. A certificate will ALWAYS be provided confirming the work has done to the above standards


Remember, your insurance may be invalidated should faulty electrical work cause a fire or accident and you do not have the approprate certificates to show it was done correctly