EICR - Scope creep. Are Building Regulation P relavant

philn_mse

Just had an EICR renewed after 5 years for a rented flat. New electrician found a new problem C2 problem which after I found the full text of the issue (BS7671 651.2(v) installation is undamaged) was incorrect. When challenged the electrician cited a building regulation instead. The isolator in question has been in place for 20 years and passed an EICR before. Are Building Regs relevant for an EICR?

AdrianC

No.

PartP is basically the BR signoff requiring the electrics to conform to current regs. As with any BR, lack of the paperwork isn't enforceable for more than a year after the work's done.

C3 is "not up to current regs".
C2 is "this is actively a problem".
EICR always tests compliance with the current regs - and they change regularly.

philn_mse

EICR test compliance with current( BS7671:2018) regs?

AdrianC

Yes.

C3 for anything that doesn't meet the current regs, but is safe.
C3 is "pass". C1/2 are "fail".
Think of it as your car's MOT - C3 is an advisory, C2 is a fail, C1 is a dangerous fail.

homersimpson246

What is the actual issue with the isolator?

As mentioned above it only needs to comply to the regulations at the time it was installed, while it may be a good idea to upgrade things as the regulations change, it isn't mandatory.

philn_mse

Happy to move it the next time the tiling is replaced (C2).
The issue is switch is not 100mm clear of the hob. However the cooker protrudes into the room so the switch is 500mm from the left edge of the counter and 650 from the front. So access does not require anyone to lean over the hob. So this is a Building Reg issue rather than BS7671 and written up as a C2

philn_mse

Oh and you can see from the style of the switch this is an old installation. Probably 20 years

AdrianC

philn_mse said:

Oh and you can see from the style of the switch this is an old installation. Probably 20 years

Hmm. From what little we can see in that pic, the switch doesn't look massively different to ones you can buy today.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/45a-1-gang-dp-cooker-switch-white/8855d
Not that that makes the slightest difference...

It's a stupid place for the switch, and I'm not surprised he's flagged it. The issue isn't going to be reaching across, but heat.

tacpot12

The switch should only have been coded as C2 if it is showing signs of being significantly damaged by being too close to the hob. If it is undamaged, then it should have been coded as C3. The EICR should be assessing Electrical safety, not all aspects of safety. A slight yellowing to the switch isn't going to change its electrical insulation properties; it would have to be close to being charred for the insulation to be affected. Based on the photo, I can see no reason to move the switch until the kitchen is retiled. At that point it would be prudent to move the switch to one side.