Document P is a regulation that affects electricians and tradesmen in the UK. So what does it mean for your firm?

What?

Document P changes the Building Regulations that affect most domestic electrical work in England and Wales. These jobs must be notified by law to the local authority building control department, including the people who will do the work be it electricians, kitchen or bathroom fitters.

Ignoring these rules is a criminal offence and local authorities have the power to require removal or alteration if work takes place unawares.

When?

These laws have been around for a while. They were announced in 2004 and became effective in 2005 with a small transition period that allows contracts signed before this date to be installed. However, now the new laws are firmly in place, all new work agreed to will have to be installed in line with the new regulations and certified as compliant.

Why?

The Act had to be revised so that electrical installation was included in order to protect people against their being a source of fire or cause injury to unsuspected people, in this case, most likely your employees or customers.

Who?

Companies or individuals that carry out works falling under the scope of PART P have to first be approved by one of the governmental authorised bodies in the form of an assessment. They must also register all work as compliant and make sure their clients have a certificate to show PART P compliance.

Electrical work that is carried out and are deemed notifiable and completed, even in domestic dwellings need to be registered. This includes internal and external work – gardens, sheds, home businesses. Also access and amenity areas like laundrettes, therefore electrical installer s carrying out the work need accreditation.

So if you are planning on getting any work done on your company’s premises, make sure you bear this in mind!

What Do You Think?

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