Notifiable or not

[Lee Sparks]

Hello Chaps,

I got a call today from a property owner who rents a house in Raynes Pk.

Tenants complain about getting little shocks when touching the metal light switches.

I went there today (out of my comfort zone) thought its worth investigating & maybe learning something + they might accept my quote & even be able to do the work myself.

I loosened about 5 switches at various points in the house, at each switch it was wired in a 1.5mm 2 core cable.

No cpc in sight, no fly lead. All light switches are metal.Same story at light fittings, also metal, 2 core.

Fuse board was reasonably old, old MK re-wireable CSU with updated plug in MCB's, No RCD protection.

Now, i was going to quote to re-new the cable with 1.5mm twin & earth, like for like. All accessories are being kept, so basicaly re-wiring the ground floor & 1st floor lighting circuits.

Does the above work need to be "Notifiable" to the LBA, or not?

If so, would it be a EIC?

Currently im not with a self cert scheme, i do plan to join one by the end of this year. But feel i dont have enough experience yet.

Also, did i miss anything, should i have checked on other things? Any feedback is well received.

Thanks!!

Lee.

 

[Andy™]

notifiable if any work done in a special location.

 

[ADS]

Notifiable.

 

[kme]

Or for a new circuit. Since you`re doing a "partial rewire" then yes. Also, as Andy says, you`ll be doing the bathroom light, so yes again.

That sounds more like Wylex than MK, tbh.

It would need an EIC

You didn`t say what the earthing system is. You also seem to give the impression that you weren`t going to price for installing RCDs where / if necessary.

Also - if its a rental, then the landlord needs to be involved in this; not just the tenant.

KME

 

[m4tty]

If you are going to rewire the lighting circuits and the cable is going to be chased in the wall it will need rcd protection so you better add a fuse board upgrade to that quote which is also notifiable Nice area though plenty of money and big houses ?

Other option is class 2 switches and fittings (not a good one though)

Is the place decorated wallpapered nice laminate floors ? Coving ?

 

[Lee Sparks]

Thanks for the feedback guys, gave me tones to think about as always!!

I think i would either have to not take the job on, or go in with another spark who can do the cert and help me on the install. Hmmm.

The area ante bad atall, im dealing with the owner of the house, a patel..

Can get access from above via floorboards and 1st floor i can get access from loft area. Would deffo have to chase to each switch, i have the skills to make good & re-dec so i could itemize that to the quote.

Before i got anything in writing i wanted to know where i stood, i have a much better idea now, thanks to you guys!

 

[PC Electrics]

Partial rewire = notifiable

How about changing switches back to class II and adding RCD protection (use off board RCD in suitable small enclosure), as per ESC best practice guide (changing CU with no cpc to lights). Not notifiable then, not to mention much more "cost effective" solution for Landlord (but recommend, in writing, that the lights be rewired at the next available oportunity, ie next time it's between tenants)

 

[Ali]

Hi Lee, I can't offer any advice, but it sounds like a nice job to do with another sparks to get your experience and confidence up. Not too huge, but big enough to get your teeth into.

 

[OnOff]

If you are competent and have the certs to back it up you could consider talking to the LBC and seeing how you stand. Some will accept you doing all the work including the inspection & testing even if you are not an approved scheme member. Catch is that it will have to be notified and the fee will have to be added to the job so at the very least min

 

[Doc Hudson]

[quote name='Andy

 

[ADS]

Hi Lee,

If you read through this : The Building Regulations 2010 , which is Schedule 4 of the 'Building Regs' - the actual Law .............as opposed to 'Document P', which is guidance on compliance with the 'Building Regs'.

This schedule tells you what work is NOT notifiable.

Start at the top and read down - if you get to a clear description of the work that you intend to do, then you can stop.......the work is NOT notifiable.

If you don't find the work that you intend to do in the list, then you need to notify.

Don't be drawn into trying to make the work that you are doing fit.......it doesn't work like that........it's either there, or it's not.

I think that you'll find that the work you intend to do is not listed.

 

[Lee Sparks]

Thanks for the valid feedback. Interesting stuff.

I have actually, as of yestoday and after some thought, told the owner that im very busy at present, and wont be able to start the work till at least 4 months.

The truth is, that i just dont feel confident enough as of yet. But it was worth going to the job to price it and its got me asking lots of questions about the whole process, so its been realy worth it in that aspect.

Thanks again guys.