Electrical regs

101000100100

I've had my consumer unit replaced in our Victorian-era house and in certifying the work my electrician has suggested that we need to get smoke alarms installed in order to be able to sign off on the work and issue a certificate.

I'm not opposed to smoke alarms - sounds entirely sensible - but not clear whether these are required.

I had imagined that the certificate would be based more squarely on the work conducted and resulting safety rather than a more general assessment of the house.

Any pointers towards the regulations appreciated. Does the above sound like proper practice?

Owain_Moneysaver

The electrical installation is subject to Building Regs, and Building Regs specify smoke alarms in a house, and smoke alarms are part of the electrical installation.

The reasoning is a bit circular, but rewiring is the ideal time to fit smoke alarms anyway. If you're not opposed to them why wouldn't you want them especially is now the cheapest and most convenient time to get them?

Most electricians only fit one or two in the hall/landing and tick the box anyway, rather than doing a full installation of one in every room, heat detector in the kitchen, etc etc.

101000100100

the suggestion is 3 radio linked with 10 year battery.

Not sure why I couldn't just add these myself.

tacpot12

While nothing that Owain Moneysaver has said is wrong, nothing he has said means that when electrical work is done, all other parts of the Building Regulations must be applied. For example, just because you have had electrical work done under Part P, doesn't mean you have to improve the thermal efficiency of the walls; equally there is no need for the fire regulations in Part B to be met when Part P work is done (The reverse is NOT true).

Smoke Alarms do not have to be added unless the property has been extended (See Part B of the Building Regs). If only the Consumer Unit has been changed, Smoke Detectors don't have to be added. My Consumer unit was changed last year for 17th Edition Amendment 3 unit and a Part P Certificate issued. We only had battery operated Smoke Detectors fitted, although I have recently upgraded these to wireless interconnected units from Screwfix. These have batteries that last 7 - 10 years. They are £35 each now. :-(