Tough new controls on electrical installation standards in homes
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The Government has given the go ahead for tighter controls on electrical installations in homes. The NICEIC explains:
In a written statement on 15 July, Phil Hope, Minister at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, confirmed the Government's intention to introduce tough new controls on the standard of electrical installation work in homes in England and Wales. This will be achieved by bringing electrical safety within the scope of the Building Regulations (as a new Part P), as soon as suitable 'competent person' schemes are in place.
In the interests of consumer safety, the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) welcomes the Government's intention to introduce tougher controls in the industry.
Building on its 45 years' experience of operating a voluntary safety regulation scheme for the electrical contracting industry throughout the UK, the NICEIC will be applying to operate a 'competent person' scheme is support of the new Building Regulations requirement. Registration under such a scheme will enable electrical contractors to self-certify that their electrical installation work complies with the Building Regulations, which in turn require compliance with the national standard for the safety of electrical installations, BS 7671.
The NICEIC has strongly advocated that only UKAS-accredited competent person schemes should be recognised by Government, to ensure the consistency and credibility of the self-certification approach on which the effectiveness of the new controls will be almost totally reliant.
To be jointly recognised?
It is hoped that the NICEIC scheme and the new Electrotechnical Assessment Scheme will be jointly recognised by Government as the industry benchmark. The technical requirements of the EAS scheme are closely aligned with the UKAS-accredited NICEIC Approved Contractor scheme.
"The need to provide a benchmark for the technical standard required for any competent person scheme is essential if safe electrical installation work is to be assured. There is an urgent need for a clear specification of the minimum technical and other criteria for Part P self-certification schemes. In a world of competing certification bodies, this is absolutely essential. Otherwise bad regulation will simply drive out good. It was the need for just such a specification that provided the main rationale for industry developing the EAS scheme" said Jim Speirs, director general, NICEIC.
The ODPM is requesting applications to operate such schemes by 15 October this year.
Extra information:
The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting was founded in 1956, and is the industry's independent, not-for-profit voluntary regulatory body covering the whole of the United Kingdom. It is not a trade association and does not represent the interests of electrical contractors. Its sole purpose is to protect consumers against unsafe and unsound electrical installations. The NICEIC maintains a register of around 11,000 approved contractors and currently employs 54 area engineers. Contact 020 7564 2323 or visit www.niceic.org.uk
Part P proposals have been developed in response to the Construction Industry Deregulation Task Force's 1995 report which recommended amongst other things that the Building Regulations should address electrical safety and that the administrative burden on builders should be rationalised. The Government responded to these recommendations by agreeing to review the case for new requirements and how they might best be practically introduced.
The current Building Regulations for England & Wales (2000) do not address the safety of fixed electrical systems in buildings. For the purposes of Building Regulations a fixed electrical system means those parts of the wiring and appliances that are fixed to the building fabric e.g. sockets, switches, fuse-boxes, immersion heaters and ceiling fittings.
The hazards posed by unsafe electrical installations and portable appliances are electric shock al burns and injuries arising from fires in buildings ignited by electrical components overheating or arcing. Installations properly designed, fitted, tested and commissioned in accordance with BS7671 will help to minimise these risks.
R isks from unsafe electrical installations:
It is believed that risks from unsafe electrical installations have increased over recent years due to:
Rising numbers and variety of electrical systems and appliances in buildings plus increased demands being made on them.
Privatisation of the supply industry in 1988 leading to fewer electrical supplier interventions in consumer installations.
Voluntary self-regulation schemes provide excellent support for existing subscribers but do not always reach the independents or small businesses that have grown rapidly in number since the recession of the early 1990s.
Electrical accident rates in houses have risen and compare with those for carbon monoxide poising, gas explosions and collisions with glass - all of which are covered by the Regulations.
British Standard 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations: the IEE Wiring Regulations is the principal British Standard that covers the safe design, installation and testing of electrical installations in buildings systems and it is the technical standard almost universally specified in UK contracts for electrical installation work. It would be the basis for approved technical guidance if electrical requirements were to be introduced into the Building Regulations.
Regulations are considered necessary to bolster the existing voluntary schemes such as the NICEIC Approved Contractor scheme because:
Existing voluntary schemes have attracted less than one quarter of electrical installers.
Large numbers of jobbing electricians and the DIY market are beyond the reach of voluntary controls.
The Building Regulations 2000: Proposals for amending Schedule 1 to introduce electrical safety requirements is available on the DTLR website.
National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC)
Vintage House, 37 Albert Embankment,
London SE1 7UJ
Tel: 020 7564 2323
Fax: 020 7564 2370
Email: enquiries@niceic.org.uk
Web: www.niceic.org.uk
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