Part P Notifiable Electrical Work (Part P) 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What must be included in the handover documentation for Part P notifiable work?
- Electrical Installation Certificate (or MEIWC), schedules of test results and inspections, and Building Regulations compliance certificate or notification (Correct answer)
- Only a receipt for the work done
- Only the consumer unit schedule
- Only the test results without the certificate
Correct answer: Electrical Installation Certificate (or MEIWC), schedules of test results and inspections, and Building Regulations compliance certificate or notification
Handover documentation for notifiable work must include the EIC with schedules, any Building Regulations compliance certificate (or notification reference), and the consumer unit circuit chart.
Question 2: For how long should electrical installation certificates be retained?
- The life of the installation — they should be passed to new owners on property sale (Correct answer)
- 5 years only
- 10 years only
- They can be discarded after the next EICR
Correct answer: The life of the installation — they should be passed to new owners on property sale
Electrical Installation Certificates are permanent records of the installation and should be retained for the life of the property, passed on to new owners; they form part of the property's legal and safety documentation.
Question 3: What is the role of Building Control when Part P notifiable work is carried out by a registered competent person?
- Building Control receives notification from the Competent Person scheme automatically — they do not need to be separately contacted by the installer (Correct answer)
- Building Control must inspect all notifiable work
- Building Control certifies the work independently
- Building Control only needs to be involved for commercial work
Correct answer: Building Control receives notification from the Competent Person scheme automatically — they do not need to be separately contacted by the installer
When a registered Competent Person self-certifies Part P work, they notify their scheme, which automatically notifies Building Control and the local authority registers the work — the installer does not separately contact Building Control.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the 'Schedule of Test Results' accompanying an Electrical Installation Certificate?
- To record all measured test values (insulation resistance, continuity, earth fault loop impedance, RCD test times) for each circuit, providing evidence of compliance (Correct answer)
- To list the equipment installed
- To record the installer's qualifications
- To record the sequence in which work was done
Correct answer: To record all measured test values (insulation resistance, continuity, earth fault loop impedance, RCD test times) for each circuit, providing evidence of compliance
The Schedule of Test Results documents all measured values for every circuit, providing objective evidence that the installation complies with BS 7671 and was correctly tested; it is essential for future maintenance reference.
Question 5: What qualification is typically required for an electrician to become registered with a Part P Competent Person scheme?
- Level 3 NVQ/SVQ in electrotechnical technology (or equivalent) plus the 18th Edition BS 7671 qualification and an inspection and testing qualification (Correct answer)
- A basic electrical safety awareness certificate
- GCSE level electronics
- Any electrical trade qualification
Correct answer: Level 3 NVQ/SVQ in electrotechnical technology (or equivalent) plus the 18th Edition BS 7671 qualification and an inspection and testing qualification
Competent Person scheme membership typically requires a Level 3 electrotechnical NVQ or equivalent, the current BS 7671 (18th Edition) qualification (C&G 2382), and the 2391 or equivalent inspection and testing qualification.
Question 6: What Part P document is issued to the homeowner by the local authority after Building Control verifies notifiable work?
- A Building Regulations completion certificate confirming compliance with Part P (Correct answer)
- A gas safety certificate
- An EICR
- A planning permission approval
Correct answer: A Building Regulations completion certificate confirming compliance with Part P
After successful inspection and verification of Part P notifiable work, the local authority issues a Building Regulations completion certificate confirming compliance, which the homeowner should keep with the property deeds.
Part P Notifiable Electrical Work (Part P) 4
What must be included in the handover documentation for Part P notifiable work?