Frequently asked questions

Category » Building control and building regulations

There were 15 questions found in this category:

1. According to Part P, the work I'm going to do does not need to be notified to Building Control?
   Yes. All electrical installation work in dwellings, however minor or major, is required to comply with the Building Regulations.
2. Does electrical installation work in a conservatory need to be notified?
   Not unless the work extends to the provisions of a new circuit, or involves an extension to an existing circuit in a kitchen or bathroom. However, new socket-outlets in a conservatory should be provided with RCD protection, as in most cases it would be reasonable to expect that they may be used ...
3. If I want to install or replace electric wiring, will the Building Regulations apply?
   Yes, the Building Regulations apply to all electrical work in dwellings. Electrical work involving fixed wiring and fixed appliances should be acceptably safe whoever undertakes it. This can be achieved by following the recommendations for design, installation, inspection, testing and certifica ...
4. Is electrical installation work within a detached garage or garden shed notifiable?
   No, unless the work also involves the provision of a new circuit across the garden
5. Is minor electrical installation work in a utility room notifiable?
   No. The definition of a kitchen does not include a utility room. Minor work in utility rooms (such as adding socket-outlets and lighting points to existing circuits) therefore need not be notified to building control.
6. Is the connection of a new cooker, or the replacement of a cooker, in a kitchen notifiable?
   Not unless the work includes the provision of a new circuit.
7. Is the installation of a socket-outlet on an outside wall of a dwelling notifiable?
   Yes. Again RCD protection should be provided because it is intended to be used to power hand-held or other electrical equipment outdoors.
8. Is the installation of an electric gate notifiable?
   The installation of the circuit from the dwelling up to and including a local isolator is notifiable, but the final connection of the gate mechanism to the local isolator is not. This means that the replacement of an electric gate is not notifiable, unless it involves running a new cable across ...
9. Is the installation of fixed wiring and equipment connected by means of a 13A plug to an existing socket-outlet, such as for the power and control requirements of a central heating system, subject to
   Yes
10. Is the installation of prefabricated 'modular' wiring products notifiable?
    No, even if the installation is in a kitchen or special location, provided that the products are CE-marked, that they are suitable for the environment in which they are installed, and that they are connected to an existing power point (such as a socket-outlet or connection unit).
11. Is the installation of the power and control wiring for a new central heating system notifiable?
    Yes, even if electrical work in kitchens and bathrooms can be avoided
12. Is the replacement of a consumer unit notifiable?
    Yes, because the replacement consumer unit is not minor work.
13. Is the replacement of an electric shower or shower pump in a bathroom or shower room notifiable?
    No, despite the increased risk of electric shock to persons in bathrooms and shower rooms, it is not considered that such replacement work is notifiable, unless it is not on a 'like for like' basis and it involves the provision of a new circuit (such as to cope with an increased power rating).
14. Is work that involves running a power supply cable across a garden notifiable?
    Yes. Any work that involves running a power supply cable across a garden, such as to a remote shed, garage or greenhouse, is considered to come under the 'garden lighting and power' category, and is therefore notifiable.
15. What are building regulations?
    Building Control and the Building Regulations link