Back in January, the NICEIC launched a competent person scheme to enable electrical installers to self-certify compliance with Part P. Since then, over 18,000 businesses have become NICEIC Domestic Installers. Reigate Electrical Services and Tom Gallagher Limited, explain why they chose to register with the NICEIC.

Reigate Electrical Services are new to the electrical contracting industry, but even as a new comer, they realised how important it was to be Part P registered. “I realised it was necessary to register with a competent persons scheme as soon as possible to be able to carry out domestic work”, said proprietor Robin Albert.

Choosing the right scheme

“The NICEIC scheme appeared to be the most obvious choice. I spoke with local building surveyors who recommended it, so I sent off my application. It was important for me to choose a scheme for the future, working as a Domestic Installer will help me on my way to becoming an NICEIC Approved Contractor.”

NICEIC Approved Contractors usually carry out a full range of electrical installation work including domestic, commercial and industrial, and are often asked by local authorities, landlords and householders to carry out NICEIC periodic inspections.

Based in Bolton, electrical contractors Tom Gallagher Ltd registered with the NICEIC Domestic Installer scheme on day one, January 1st 2005. “We’ve been registered with the NICEIC as Approved Contractors for over 14 years, so we felt more than happy to apply for Domestic Installer status”, said Managing Director Tom Gallagher.

“Because of the NICEIC’s reputation we knew the scheme would run smoothly. Its structure is set up to ensure any work done by registered contractors is carried our correctly. We undertake around 250 domestic jobs that are covered by Part P each month. A lot of these are fairly small jobs, but still fall under the scope of Part P. The jobs had to comply within the first week of January, so we made sure we were registered right from the start.

“We do a lot of work in the disabled access industry such as installing chair lifts and doing bathroom adaptations,” continued Gallagher. Much of it is sub-contracted and paid for through grants from the local council. We are awarded many of the contracts because we are registered with the NICEIC, they have industry wide recognition. When the introduction [of Part P] drew closer, we found that the Council would approach us for advice on the subject. The Council recognises not only the needs of the end user but also the importance of safety. Part P has really helped to reinforce the need to be using a competent person.”

As well as keeping contractors up to date on Part P, the NICEIC has been raising public awareness of the legislation. “The NICEIC has played a huge role in telling homeowners about Part P and the importance of using a competent person to carry out electrical work in their home,” said Philip Buckle, Business Development and Marketing Director.

“The message is slowly, but surely getting through, and with the Home Information Pack coming into force in 2007, homeowners are likely to become the driving force behind insisting that electricians comply with Part P.”

The Government is introducing the Home Information Pack to improve the process of buying and selling a home in England and Wales. The packs will include a variety of standard documents and reports on the physical condition of the property, including evidence of compliance with Building Regulations. If householders do not hold the correct documents for work carried out, they may have difficulty when it comes to selling their property.

Consumers are increasingly associating the NICEIC and the Domestic Installer Scheme as the sign of electrical safety. Robin Albert has already had customers ask him about Part P. “The type of work I usually do can range from re-wiring a garage to installing additional lights and sockets. Customers are definitely becoming more aware about Part P and are starting to ask questions.”

Simple registration

It takes just a matter of weeks to achieve registration with the NICEIC Domestic Installer Scheme. Applicants undergo an onsite assessment to demonstrate their understanding of Building Regulations, and their ability to inspect, test and certify electrical installation work in accordance with BS 7671. Any business involved in domestic electrical installations can apply. The NICEIC scheme caters for full scope compliance with Part P in addition to defined scope for those carrying out electrical work as an adjunct to their main activities, for example a gas installer or kitchen fitter. “My welcome pack arrived on the doorstep within a couple of weeks, and included the NICEIC Inspection, Testing and Certification book, which has proved extremely helpful,” said Robin. “My assessment took place soon afterwards at two of my sites, the assessor checked my installation certificate and I tested the installations. A short time after I received a letter confirming my scheme registration number and was ready to go.”

Saving time and money, notifying work

Contractors are not obliged to register with a competent person scheme, they can opt to notify their work to Building Control and pay the appropriate fee to get the work inspected during and after completion. However, if notifiable domestic electrical installations are a major part of a contractor’s work, this option could prove time consuming and costly.

To comply with Part P, businesses are legally responsible for notifying domestic electrical installation work to the appropriate Building Control office, and issuing Building Regulations Compliance certificates to customers. The NICEIC assists Domestic Installers in meeting this requirement through a simple and cost effective notification method, which enables contractors to notify work to the NICEIC via the internet or by fax. After submitting the information, the NICEIC validates it, sends it to the appropriate Building Control authority, and issue the homeowner with a certificate to confirm that the work complies with Building Regulations.

“Most domestic electrical installers, whether they’re a full time electrician, gas installer or kitchen fitter, just don’t have time to notify building control every time they carry out a simple job”, continues Philip Buckle. “Self-certifying compliance is the most practical solution. The NICEIC aims to reduce the burden of paperwork for contractors by offering a fast and efficient notification service. We have already processed over 350,000 notifications since January 2005.

“The beauty of being registered as a Domestic Installer is that I am able to certify the work myself” added Robin. “I don’t have to get Building Control to inspect and test my work during and after the installation, which can cost anything from £60 to £300 each time. All I have to do is logon to the NICEIC Building Regulations Compliance website and let them know what jobs I have completed. The NICEIC does the rest for me by informing building control and, sending a certificate to the homeowner.

“We access the NICEIC Building Regulations Compliance website everyday to log completed jobs”, said Gallagher. “It’s so easy and simple to use, we’ve been really impressed. The NICEIC informs building control and a certificate is issued to the homeowner who then includes it in their Homeowner Pack, an initiative currently being promoted by the Government.”

To find out how to become an NICEIC Domestic Installer and/or Approved Contractor, call 0800 013 0900 or visit www.niceic.org.uk