17th Edition of The IEE Wiring Regulations

The 17th Edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2008) was published in January 2008, and came into effect on the 1st July 2008. All commercial, domestic and industrial wiring installations must be designed, constructed, inspected, tested and certificated to meet the requirements of BS 7671: 2008.

Mr. Electric will assist all customers with the new electrical regulations, providing the right solutions to ensure electrical safety and compliance with the regulations.

How safe is the electrical wiring in your home?

In less time than you may think, the electrics in your home can become damaged or worn, through general wear and tear. It’s important to get them inspected and tested to check they’re still safe to use. You should get checks done at set intervals. If the electrics in your property have been checked before, a notice will usually be fixed on or near the fuse board recommending the next inspection date.

Government statistics show unsafe electrical installations cause more than 750 serious accidents and 12,500 fires in homes each year. If you are moving home, you need to know about the electrics in your new property. Be extra cautious if the property is old as it runs a higher risk of having faulty wiring. Don’t put your life or your investment at risk; get an electrical survey by Mr. Electric on your new home before you sign on the dotted line.

Periodic Inspections

An electrical survey, also known as a Periodic Inspection, looks for possible electric shock risks and fire hazards. The Mr. Electric electrician will carry out tests on wiring and fixed electrical equipment, identify any faulty electrical work and highlight if electrical safety measures (such as bonding) are present. After the inspection, you will be given an electrical survey report (Periodic Inspection Report). The report identifies the overall condition of all the electrics, stating whether it is satisfactory for continued use and any work which might need to be done. Periodic Inspections are required as part of the 17th Edition of The IEE Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2008).

Is it time for a rewire?

If your electrical survey has thrown up an unsatisfactory result, or the electrical wiring in your home is very old, then you may need a rewire. Rewiring your home can be a messy job – it is best to forget about decorating until it is finished. It can also cause major disruptions to the household as carpets and floorboards are up. Mr. Electric will assist you with the whole rewire project from start to finish, giving you peace of mind that your electrics are safe.

Certification

When your rewire and other electrical installations are completed, the Mr. Electric electrician will give you an electrical installation certificate which confirms the electrical work has been carried out, inspected and tested in accordance with the 17th Edition of The IEE Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2008), the national safety standard for electrical installations. Within 30 days of the work being completed, you will also receive a certificate which confirms that the work complies with Part P of the Building Regulations.

Part P of the Building Regulations

Part P of the Building Regulations for England and Wales was introduced by the Government in January 2005, with an aim of reducing the number of accidents in the home related to faulty electrical installations. Similar laws also apply in Scotland.

Most electrical installations carried out in a property are now notifiable. In other words, the local authority building control must be notified prior to the work being carried out and certified by a person registered with a government authorised competent person scheme such as NICEIC. Failure to comply with Part P is a criminal offence and local authorities have the power to require the removal or alteration of work that does not comply with the electrical regulations.

Please go to the electrical safety council website for more information on:
www.electricalsafetycouncil.org.uk.