Part P is a new addition to the building regulations, which came into force on the 1st January 2005.
The requirement is that all work carried out in 'Dwellings', whether it be a new installation, additions or alterations, must be carried out by a competent person, a competent person in this case is a person who is registered with one of the bodies approved by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to administer these registers.
If you are not registered as 'Part P Approved' you must notify your local building control officer, who will inspect your work, or appoint an agent to inspect your work. In practice the second option of notifying building control is going to be both costly and time consuming for the electrician (Estimated to be between £100 and £200 per inspection).
How to meet the requirements:
In order to meet the requirements for Part P there are various different paths you can take, the paths are detailed below:
If you already hold City and Guilds 2382 BS 7671:2001 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations and City and Guilds 2391 Inspection, Testing & Certification of Electrical Installations course, you are advised to complete Unit 1: Applicable Building Regulations of the Domestic Installer Scheme (This modules relates to Building Regulations, CDM Regulations and HSG141).
This is a 1 day course, with an examination being taken after completion. The cost of this course is £150.00 + VAT, this includes the examination entry fee.
If you hold City and Guilds 2382 BS 7671:2001 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations only:
The EAL Domestic Installer Scheme (8 day). This qualification is a modular qualification incorporating 17 Units which will lead to a VRQ qualification titled Domestic Electrical Installer.
If you currently hold no formal electrical qualifications, then once again you have several options available to you:
The EAL Domestic Installer Scheme (8 day). This qualification is a modular qualification incorporating 17 modules. This will include an overview of the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations and Inspection and Testing, leading to a VRQ qualification titled Domestic Electrical Installer.
and
City and Guilds 2382 BS 7671:2001 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations. City and Guilds 2382 17th Edition Wiring Regulations and the EAL Domestic Installer qualification will meet the entry requirements to the scheme, along with an on site assessment of your Inspection and Testing competence. If you feel you are working correctly and understand the inspection and testing principles and practices, then you may gain entry using this route.
We suggest however that this is then backed up with the City and Guilds qualifications at a later date. The EAL route will give you a basic underpinning knowledge of the regulations, inspection and testing, etc.
The City and Guilds qualifications will, however, give far more in depth information and knowledge on the subjects, as well as allowing you to gain FULL contractor status with the various bodies.
EMTA Award - Part P
CDEI /001 Applicable Building Regulations for Domestic Electrical Installation
CDEI /002 Electrical Safety Legislation, Regulations Standards and Terminology