green-hornet
Distinguished Member
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Part P and its implications. (Part 1)
Part P is a building regulation brought into effect in 2005; the principle aim was to assist regulation of electrical works within the domestic market. For a long time ministers and scheme providers had reservations about the quality of work with regards to electrical safety in the home. After a tragic accident a bill was passed that overnight affected many working electricians. Unfortunately only electricians realised and answered the call. The builders, kitchen fitters and bathroom fitters totally ignored this legislation, other than a minority who gained limited scope acceptance onto a scheme, and accepted the terms and minimal acceptance for registration.
Most building control officers could only attend a one day course, in which they were expected to spot deviations in any regulation. Obviously if fully seasoned electricians could interpret the regulations differently, then by default, a building control officer is going to struggle.
The implications of this are far reaching, and have indeed given rise to some major concerns over the years. Recently electricians that are registered with one of the various scheme providers for Part P were asked to complete a questionnaire, to assist in providing a measured response to planned improvements to the scheme. The results make good reading, and the general findings are favourable for keeping Part P, but making it more robust in supporting those who are registered, and prosecuting those who choose to ignore it. Upmost must be education to the general public of its existence.
However what are the implications of any survey? If anything is learned could Part P be improved? Will those who have the power decide to use it?
Unfortunately the answers to all the above questions are negative. The implications of the survey are not going to produce any major changes, it does however give an indication on how those on the ground feel that they are being treated, and maybe, at some time those feelings will be heard. I suggest they have already fallen on deaf ears.
Part P will never be improved, especially in this financial climate, there is no money to spend and the forecast in expenditure to improve exposure of Part P alone will run into many millions of pounds.
The scheme providers are not willing to invest heavily into an ill administered government scheme.
Why should they? I know I would not.
As for using power, I am afraid those that be, have no power, this was taken away from them two years ago during a Scottish court case that still implicates English law. There is no way any person in this country can be prosecuted for not being Part P registered, they can even wire a property so that none of the regulations are followed, and still be exempt from prosecution. The only prosecutions you could effectively try for are those under health and safety, and other less obvious statute laws.
Unfortunately for us, this last exercise in Part P consultations, has only been a show of hands from those who are too weak to act, and are very eager to take your hard earned cash, giving nothing in return.
One day a man will stand up and say enough is enough, but it will never be a politician, it has always got to be us.
Part P is a building regulation brought into effect in 2005; the principle aim was to assist regulation of electrical works within the domestic market. For a long time ministers and scheme providers had reservations about the quality of work with regards to electrical safety in the home. After a tragic accident a bill was passed that overnight affected many working electricians. Unfortunately only electricians realised and answered the call. The builders, kitchen fitters and bathroom fitters totally ignored this legislation, other than a minority who gained limited scope acceptance onto a scheme, and accepted the terms and minimal acceptance for registration.
Most building control officers could only attend a one day course, in which they were expected to spot deviations in any regulation. Obviously if fully seasoned electricians could interpret the regulations differently, then by default, a building control officer is going to struggle.
The implications of this are far reaching, and have indeed given rise to some major concerns over the years. Recently electricians that are registered with one of the various scheme providers for Part P were asked to complete a questionnaire, to assist in providing a measured response to planned improvements to the scheme. The results make good reading, and the general findings are favourable for keeping Part P, but making it more robust in supporting those who are registered, and prosecuting those who choose to ignore it. Upmost must be education to the general public of its existence.
However what are the implications of any survey? If anything is learned could Part P be improved? Will those who have the power decide to use it?
Unfortunately the answers to all the above questions are negative. The implications of the survey are not going to produce any major changes, it does however give an indication on how those on the ground feel that they are being treated, and maybe, at some time those feelings will be heard. I suggest they have already fallen on deaf ears.
Part P will never be improved, especially in this financial climate, there is no money to spend and the forecast in expenditure to improve exposure of Part P alone will run into many millions of pounds.
The scheme providers are not willing to invest heavily into an ill administered government scheme.
Why should they? I know I would not.
As for using power, I am afraid those that be, have no power, this was taken away from them two years ago during a Scottish court case that still implicates English law. There is no way any person in this country can be prosecuted for not being Part P registered, they can even wire a property so that none of the regulations are followed, and still be exempt from prosecution. The only prosecutions you could effectively try for are those under health and safety, and other less obvious statute laws.
Unfortunately for us, this last exercise in Part P consultations, has only been a show of hands from those who are too weak to act, and are very eager to take your hard earned cash, giving nothing in return.
One day a man will stand up and say enough is enough, but it will never be a politician, it has always got to be us.
