Part P Notifiable Electrical Work (Part P)

Question 1

Which Building Regulation part covers electrical safety in dwellings?

Accepted Answer

Part P (Electrical safety — dwellings)

Answer

Building Regulations Part P applies to electrical installations in dwellings and specifies that electrical work must be designed and installed to comply with BS 7671, and that notifiable work must be notified to Building Control.

Question 2

What is 'notifiable work' under Part P of Building Regulations?

Accepted Answer

New circuits, consumer unit replacements, and additions/alterations in special locations (kitchens, bathrooms, outdoors) that must be notified to a Competent Person scheme or Building Control

Answer

Part P defines notifiable work as: installation of new circuits, consumer unit replacement, additions/alterations in special locations (kitchen, bathroom, outdoors, sauna, swimming pool), or work on commercial garden buildings.

Question 3

How can a registered electrician self-certify Part P notifiable work?

Accepted Answer

By being registered with a Part P Competent Person scheme (e.g., NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA) and issuing the required Electrical Installation Certificate

Answer

Electricians registered with an approved Competent Person scheme can self-certify their work as complying with Building Regulations, notifying the scheme which in turn notifies Building Control and registers the work.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT notifiable work under Part P?

Accepted Answer

Replacing a like-for-like socket outlet on an existing circuit in a living room

Answer

Minor works such as replacing like-for-like accessories (sockets, switches) on existing circuits in dry, non-special locations are not notifiable under Part P. New circuits, CU replacements and work in special locations are notifiable.

Question 5

What penalty can apply to a homeowner or electrician for failing to comply with Part P notification requirements?

Accepted Answer

The local authority may require the work to be opened up for inspection, re-done at the owner's cost, and an enforcement notice may be issued; the installation may cause issues when selling the property

Answer

Non-compliance with Part P can result in enforcement action by the local authority, requiring expensive remediation; it also creates a legal liability and conveyancing problems when the property is sold.

Part P Electrical Practice Test

Part P Electrical Practice Test

Part P Notifiable Electrical Work (Part P)