“One key point to be aware of is that a recommendation in BS7671 is not a “soft requirement”. That means that not following a recommendation within the standard is neither a non-compliance, nor does it need to be cited as a departure in certification. However, whatever action is taken should result in an installation which is no less safe as a result of the action taken”.
Quote from NICEIC Connections magazine.
So, the implication is that leaving out AFDDs in standard domestic installations, their provision is only a recommendation in BS761, should leave the installation no less safe than if the AFDDs had been installed. One would then either need to determine that AFDDs would not provide any additional safety or one would have to introduce additional control measures to address any quantified shortfall in safety that their omission would cause.
