Minor Works Certificate

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Question:

I have a few queries regarding requirements of Minor Works Certificates. Firstly, could you please confirm if a Minor Works Certificate is required where an old electric panel heater is replaced with a new panel heater (which is quite similar in wattage etc.) in a bathroom or any other room? The panel heater is connected to an existing switched fused connection unit (spur) via a flex (which is of the correct cross-sectional area), and it is clipped surface from the switched fused connection unit directly into the bottom of the panel heater. Could you also please confirm that if a Minor Works Certificate is indeed required for the panel heater replacement in a bathroom, does the whole circuit need to comply with the current regulations, i.e. RCD protection on the complete circuit due to the existing wiring supplying the switched fused connection unit being within walls less than 50mm and the fact that the switched fused connection unit is in a bathroom? Alternatively can installing a RCD switched fused connection unit in place of the standard switched fused connection unit be enough to comply?

Also, can you please confirm that if replacing a bathroom light with a like for like replacement onto an existing circuit where the circuit does not comply with the current regulations, ie. no RCD/RCBO protection, does RCD/RCBO protection need to be provided or not?

Finally, similar to the previous question, when replacing a broken twin socket with a like for like new twin socket onto an existing ring main, or when replacing a broken light switch with a like for like new light switch onto an existing lighting circuit within a living room for example, and where neither of the circuits has RCD/RCBO protection, do you then need to make both circuits comply with the current regulations (cables within walls less than 50mm and socket circuits require RCD protection) by installing RCD/RCBO protection also? I know that a Minor Works Certificate needs to be produced for replacing a socket or a light switch but was not sure of my responsibilities as a contractor when doing so?

Thanks for your help,

John

Answer:

SELECT

Bob Cairney, Malcolm Duncan, Jim Cornwall, Fred Jackson, Mark McLaughlin and Stuart McKelvie

Firstly, all of your questions relate to the replacement of equipment and the industry guidance is that maintenance or repair work would not be classified as an alteration. RCD protection would not therefore require to be provided in such circumstances. Such guidance can be accessed via the following link

http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/electrical-professionals/wiring-regulations/new,-rewired-and-similar-installations/

Secondly, the NOTES to the Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate in Appendix 6 of BS 7671 states that it may be used for a replacement. It should be noted, however, some clients may insist on certification being provided for such replacements, even when not specifically required by BS 7671.

NICEIC

A minor works certificate may be used to certify the replacement of an accessory on a like-for-like basis. Such work generally falls under the category of maintenance work and so alternative documentation can be considered. Where alternative documentation is considered the safety declaration, details of work carried out and inspection and testing results would need to be recorded.

In the example you provide of the panel heater where an RCD is requirement for ‘additional protection’ such as a cable buried in a wall less than 50mm deep in compliance with 522.6.202 but the circuit has fault protection in compliance with section 411 this would generally be recorded in the comment box under existing installation. When carrying out maintenance work in a room containing a bath/shower without RCD protection it would need to be verified that there was effective supplementary bonding in compliance with 701.415.

Where additions/alteration to a circuit are made as a minimum the altered circumstances would need to comply with the current regulations and a Minor Works Certificate issued.