Electrics in a new build house

What are the circumstances Lisa?

I think the answer is, technically, yes. (The NICEIC don't like it though, as far as I'm aware).

But the reasons for that being necessary, would gauge whether it would be a good idea or not.

richard64:

What are the circumstances Lisa?

Reading between the lines I think there's simply been a breakdown in the relationship with the client...

I would imagine that the contractor is part of a scheme.

If so the scheme would have rules regarding with-holding paperwork, so it may be best to talk to them first.

Getting others to sign off work could be a bit of a nightmare.


Also, another thought.

The new build would be subject to building regs.

In that case, the local authority would be able to incorporate the electrical work in that, and may accept an EICR from another contractor as showing compliance. Especially in the circumstances.

That would be the best way to go

The answer is you can sign up for anything, if you feel happy adopting the ultimate responsibility. 

BUT it would be a brave man (or woman) who did so and adopted the work of another without making a reasonable inspection first.  That may include chipping the plaster off if it looks suspect beneath.

More common is the creation of an EICR (similar to the old periodic inspection) which, assuming no defects are found, can then be used to show the installation is safe. This is then caveated that XYZ cable routes were not visible. As far as building regs and part P is concerned, the advice to local authorities is to accept such an inspection as a suitable 'regularisation' process for cases when for whatever reason the paper trail is not in order.


In terms of part P 3rd party verifiers, supervising the work of others, they are supposed to check cable routes etc before second fix, but in reality, for folk they know well, maybe this is not always done, or a few photos are Emailed across as enough evidence. 


And before anyone rushes off in horror at this, recall that a great many companies as the standard practice employ one person to do the installation, and another to drop by later and test it and fill in the forms (or in some cases on Fridays, not drop by but  just invent some results and fill in the forms, though that is really naughty.)

Mike,


EICR is obviously the best way to go, but would need notifying directly to LABC, rather than via a self notifying scheme.

Which shouldn't be a problem with a new build that has building regs approval already.

Refused to get involved with a similar case a year or so back.. new housebuild..   builders son did the electrics.. tested and certified using over the counter "green certificates".. part P  accepted by the council, Then solicitor or mortgage company gave a  flat refusal to award mortgage without NICEIC/NAPIT certification due too "limited indemnity" clause and i certainly wasnt putting my name and guarentee to something i had no part in installing..  no idea where it went from there..

gary

641.1 Every installation shall, during erection and on completion before being put into service, be inspected and tested to verify, so far as is reasonably practical, that the requirements of the Regulations have been met.


Who inspects his* own work during erection? Surely good workmanship involves doing the correct things in the correct order and checking before, for example, screwing a socket to the wall.


As it happens, today I wanted to test a bit of circuit before re-plastering it because it would have been a PITA to have ripped it apart if subsequent testing was not satisfactory. However, isn't it normal practice to install a complete circuit and then test it?


Imagine a perfectionist self-builder (we have one in the family)! He* might contract with an electrician to test, inspect and (most importantly) certify his work. Being a perfectionist, he would call in the electrician to inspect each stage of the work, e.g. before installing a ceiling or floor. Is this realistic? ?


My feeling is that if an electrician is called in to provide inspection and testing, the phrase "reasonably practicable" comes into operation as far as inspection is concerned. Otherwise, why do we have three-signature EICs?


*Before anybody thinks that I am sexist, please see S.6 of the Interpretation Act 1978.

Chris Pearson:

He* might contract with an electrician to test, inspect and (most importantly) certify his work.

* - other genders are available 

Fixed for you, FOC


OMS

Actually I think you should test at stages determined by the highest pain level of what you have to do if there is a problem found.

That may well be at the end,  if the worst is that may happen to fix any likely problem is that some sockets have to be unscrewed and a wobbly board lifted, or some polyfilla mixed.

If however it might involve chiselling up an elaborate marble bathroom worth more than the rest of the job, or some similar expensive works, either time or money to correct, it makes sense to test at an earlier stage. Underfloor heating under stone slabs for example, may be worth a more serious check over, prior to the floor laying.


The parallel in computing is to save a backup whenever the amount of work you have done is enough that it would be too time consuming or difficult to recreate if lost.