Help re. electrical work in the Loft

frou21

I recently had a couple of lights, light switch and electrical socket installed in my loft by my builder as part of some refurbishment work I am doing in the home.

I have 2 questions
1. Do the light, light switch and electric socket have to be fire and water resistant or need to comply with safety regulations in any way. I am concerned in case there is water ingress from the roof and this causes a problem in conjunction with the electrical items.

2. Do I need an electrical safety certificate for these works and any other electrical work I have done e.g. extra sockets in the home, external lights etc

Captaincodpiece

frou21 wrote: »

I recently had a couple of lights, light switch and electrical socket installed in my loft by my builder as part of some refurbishment work I am doing in the home.

I have 2 questions
1. Do the light, light switch and electric socket have to be fire and water resistant or need to comply with safety regulations in any way. I am concerned in case there is water ingress from the roof and this causes a problem in conjunction with the electrical items.

2. Do I need an electrical safety certificate for these works and any other electrical work I have done e.g. extra sockets in the home, external lights etc

All new sockets need to be connected to a rcd. But your spark would know that and give you the relevant paperwork.

27col

I'd be more concerned about making sure that my roof never leaked.

pitkin2020

lol I agree with the above, a leaking roof would be more of a concern than making sure the switches and sockets are IP rated as the loft is still inside the building.

You should have a certificate as its a new circuit unless its a general (non electricians) circuit which could come from anywhere, in that case i would get a spark to double check the work and carry out an inspection. If you haven't had an electrical inspection in some time now would be a perfect opportunity.

If the socket is for general use it should be connected to an RCD, RCD's can be ommitted for various reasons but I would guess your loft socket isn't for one specific piece of equipment.

Jonesya

frou21 wrote: »

1. Do the light, light switch and electric socket have to be fire and water resistant or need to comply with safety regulations in any way. I am concerned in case there is water ingress from the roof and this causes a problem in conjunction with the electrical items.

Lofts should be dry and water tight so there shouldn't be any need for the electrician to use water resistant/proof accessories.

ariba10

If you have any water coming into your Loft, the plasterboard ceiling is not going to stop it coming into your Bedroom.

cyclonebri1

No additional requirements for electrical circuits in the loft, just the same as any other area of the house.

You need building regs technically for these additions today, you wouldn't be the first that didn't bother

pitkin2020

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

No additional requirements for electrical circuits in the loft, just the same as any other area of the house.

You need building regs technically for these additions today, you wouldn't be the first that didn't bother

....or the last lol

frou21

If the socket is for general use it should be connected to an RCD, RCD's can be ommitted for various reasons but I would guess your loft socket isn't for one specific piece of equipment.[/QUOTE]

I already have an RCD connected to the main circuit box. Do I need another one connected next to the socket in the loft?

pitkin2020

frou21 wrote: »

If the socket is for general use it should be connected to an RCD, RCD's can be ommitted for various reasons but I would guess your loft socket isn't for one specific piece of equipment.

I already have an RCD connected to the main circuit box. Do I need another one connected next to the socket in the loft?[/QUOTE]

no as long as that circuit has been wired after the RCD in the consumer unit then that circuit is protected by the RCD at the consumer unit.