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 is 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.
Any individual who wishes to become a Qualified Supervisor under Part P must process a qualification that referenced in detail the edition of the IEE Wiring Regulation current at the time the course was undertaken and demonstrate awareness and understanding of the Building Regulations applicable to the type of work the individual undertakes. A competent person is responsible for ensuring the work carried out complies with all the applicable parts of the Building Regulations not just Part P – (see list below)
Examples of courses suitable to develop competence for Part P
Relevant modules from EAL level 2 Cert for Domestic Electrical Installer (available Autumn 2004)
- City & Guilds 2380
- City & Guilds A, B or C Certs
- City & Guilds 236 Part 1, 2 or C Cert
- City & Guilds 2360 Part 1, 2 or C Cert
- City & Guilds 2356 Part 1 or 2
- City & Guilds 2400
- NVQ level 3 – Testing & Installing
Plus (compulsory) – or be working towards
This list of qualifications is not exhaustive; and other courses may be accepted after being individually considered
To achieve this unit candidates must:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of what are Building Regulations and Approved Documents
2. Demonstrate an understanding of Approved Document ‘P’
3. Demonstrate an understanding of other Applicable Building Regulations and Approved Documents
Assessment of Unit
An external multiple-choice examination that covers the underpinning knowledge for outcomes 1,2 and 3.
Demonstrate an understanding of what are Building Regulations and Approved Documents
What Building Regulations are
What is defined as ‘building work’
What Approved Documents are
Demonstrate an understanding of other Applicable Building
The scope of the Approved Document ‘P’
The applicability of Part ‘P’
Competent persons
Minor work
The requirement for kitchens and special locations
Demonstrate an understanding of other Applicable Building Regulations and Approved Documents
Use of approved materials Building Regulations 7
The requirements of Building Regulations Approved Document M, section 8
The requirements of Building Regulations Approved Document A
Requirements of other applicable Building Regulation in connection with electrical work carried out
The requirements of Notification to building control