IEE and building regulations

• Since 1st January 2005, Part P of the Building Regulations has made it a legal requirement for fixed electrical installations in domestic dwellings in England and Wales to be carried out according to the IEE (Institute of Electrical Engineers) Wiring Regulations.

This statement means that most electrical work must be certified for safety, for which you have two choices:

• Notifying your Local Authority building control department, who will send an inspector to assess the work and provide you with a certificate confirming the work to be safe. You will have to pay for this service.
• Choose an electrician who is a member of an authorised competent person self-certification scheme from NICEIC, ECA or ELECSA. They will notify the local authority on your behalf and provide you with the legally required certification, confirming the work to be safe in accordance with the regulations.

However, there are certain electrical jobs that are ‘non-notifiable’ which do not require a safety certificate and you can therefore DIY, if you feel you know how.

Non-notifiable electrics

• Repairs, replacements and maintenance work to existing circuits.
• Addition of lighting points, switches and sockets to existing circuits (except in kitchens, bathrooms and outdoors).

Notifiable electrics that must be certified

• Addition of any new circuits.
• Any work (except repairs or replacements) in a kitchen, bathroom or outdoors.

If in doubt, always seek professional help, or advice from your Local Authority.

• Your Local Council

Further information and useful links

• Building regulations part p: electrical safety
• Current wiring regulations
• Connecting electrical cables
• More electrical topics

• Find an Electrician near you
• Find a Electrical Merchants near you

• Full details of all IEE regulations