Electrical Regulations - What can and can't be done?

phill79

Possibly in the wrong group, but I thought I might get a better response by posting here instead.

With all the new regs regarding electrics, it gets very difficult to find out what is allowed and what is not allowed to be done and by whom.

The situation:
A company installs a piece of equipment in a school that needs a plug socket installing.

The problem:
Who can install it?

I have had mixed messages and I am no further forward. One person may say "You need to be part P'd", the other says "you can spur off the socket, just not allowed to cable back to hub", another says "if you break the ring, you need to be part p'd", and finally "a spur is not breaking the ring and you can spur of a socket OK".

Legally, in this situation above, who can install the socket? Must an electrican who is Part P'd, a none part p elecrtrician, a competent person, or anyone?

Any help is appreciated.

evilgoose

Firstly I'm not an electrician - so I stand to be corrected. I've been trying to sift my way through the regs as I am working on my house to work out what I can and can't do.

From what I can work out, I think the following applies:-

If you are going to add a socket as part of the ring main or do any work in the consumer unit (hub) then you need to be Part P.

If its a spur off a socket (so you dont need to break the ring main or touch the consumer unit (other than to switch off the power)) then you dont need to be Part P.

(I cant find my electricans handbook at the moment, but I not sure if there is somethin different between a fused spur and a non fused spur).

You mention a school, so I dont know where you stand reg wise in regards to that. But I believe in a domestic setting that anyone is allowed to install a spur off and existing socket.

Jonesya

You can get the Part P regulations for free here:
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADP_2006.pdf

It clearly states - "Electrical safety - dwellings' so I don't think it applies to schools.

Schools are subject to the Electricity at Work act, available below and that has requirements on the competence of those carrying out electrical work:

Persons to be competent to prevent danger and injury
16. No person shall be engaged in any work activity where technical knowledge or experience is necessary to prevent danger or, where appropriate, injury, unless he possesses such knowledge or experience, or is under such degree of supervision as may be appropriate having regard to the nature of the work.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19890635_en_1.htm

phill79

Thanks for the responses, however, what makes a person competent in the eyes of the above statement? This is a very grey area!

matbe

Part p only applies to domestic properties

However usually to work on a school the policy is to either use an nic or eca registered contractor

matbe

phill79 wrote: »

Thanks for the responses, however, what makes a person competent in the eyes of the above statement? This is a very grey area!

A competent person is defined in the 17th edition regulations as

"a person who possesses sufficient technical knowledge relevant practical skills and experience for the nature of the electrical work undertaken and is able at all times to prevent danger and where appropriate injury to him/herself and others"

If you are unsure you should get an electrician in to carry out the work

baldelectrician

Part P only applies in dwellings, and only applies in England and Wales.

In Scotland there is no part P, but Scottish Building Standards- these apply to domestic and non-domestic properties.

The person carrying out the work is required to have the relevant skills, and be suitably qualified to carry the work.
If it is in a school the local education authority will have requirements such as NICEIC or ECA / SELECT.