Subject: DIY electrical work after 1st January 2005
From: Andy Hall am
Date: 27/11/04 20:35 GMT Standard Time
Message-id:

On Sat, 27 Nov 2004 20:10:51 +0000, Pete C
wrote:

On Sat, 27 Nov 2004 15:23:16 -0000, "Uno Hoo!"
wrote:

I'm fed up to the back teeth with the misleading information being given
out
by the media about the new 'safety law' which comes into being after 1st
January next year.
As an example, the BBC 'Good Homes' magazine states: "If you're thinking of

tackling the electrics in your home DIY style, think again - from 1st
January 2005 it will be illegal. The National Council for Electrical
Installation Contracting (NICEIC) has passed a new safety law that renders
all electrical work done by yourself, or an unregistered electrician,
illegal."

Similarly it has just been announced on Classic FM news that DIY electrical

work will be illegal after 1st January. This is complete and utter
cobblers. The new law specifically exempts 'minor' electrical work such as
adding extra power points and/or lighting points - and on the whole this is

the sort of work that DIY electricians undertake. Only major work such as
adding complete new circuits and work undertaken in bathrooms and kitchens
comes within the new laws. Even the work that *is* covered by the new
regulations is not prohibited to DIY'ers - anyone wishing to carry out such

work has to notify the authorities and have the work inspected. Hardly
*illegal* ??

Hi,

What happens if you don't have a 'competent person' to do the
necessary work, or don't have it inspected? Can you expect 'a knock on
the door in the night'...?

cheers,
Pete.

Oh, definitely.

BCOs have been issued with heavy leather uniforms and detector vans.
:-)

The reality is that nothing will happen unless/until:

- Somebody informs building control. However, wiring is a lot less
conspicuous than an extension.

- Some building work involving building control is started and they
notice. Unlikely.

- Something bad happens like a fire.

- You want to sell the house. The buyer's solicitor will ask for
certificates or ask if any wiring without inspection has been done.
Presumably you would answer truthfully. A survey with electrical
inspection would be done and corrections made if required, then a
certificate issued.

So you just say that any wiring changes were made before 1.1.2005 or by the
previous owner or by a competent electrician whose details you seem to have
lost while you were packing the house contents and no one will be any the
wiser. Other than people who go out of their way to inform the local council
they are about to make wiring changes I see no way of this legislation being
enforceable. I'm certainly not going to pay it a moment's notice.


--
Dave Baker - Puma Race Engines (www.pumaracing.co.uk)