ELECTRAGUARD.UK

If you’ve ever had electrical work done at home, you may have heard the term “Part P” mentioned on certificates or by your electrician. But what exactly does it mean?
In short: Part P is the law that keeps household electrics safe.

Let’s break it down.

🏠 What Is Part P?
Part P is a section of the Building Regulations for England and Wales that deals specifically with electrical safety in domestic properties.
It was introduced in January 2005 to ensure that anyone carrying out electrical work in homes meets strict safety standards.
Simply put:
All electrical work in dwellings must be designed and installed so that it protects people from electric shock and fire.

Why It Exists
Before Part P, anyone could legally rewire a house or add sockets with no training or inspection.
Unfortunately, that led to fires, electric shocks, and even fatalities caused by poor workmanship.
Part P was created to make sure:
Electrical work in homes is done safely
Installations meet the BS 7671 Wiring Regulations
All notifiable work is checked and certified by a qualified person

What Type of Work Is “Notifiable”?
Some minor tasks (like replacing a light fitting or changing a socket faceplate) aren’t notifiable, but many larger jobs are.
Examples of notifiable electrical work include:
-Installing a new circuit
-Replacing or upgrading a consumer unit (fuse box)
-Any work in bathrooms, kitchens, or outdoors
-Rewiring all or part of a property
When this kind of work is done, it must either:
1.Be carried out by a registered competent person (such as a NAPIT-registered electrician), who can self-certify the work, or
2.Be inspected and approved by your local authority Building Control.

What Does a NAPIT-Registered Electrician Do Under Part P?
When you hire a NAPIT-registered electrician, they take care of everything for you.
They will:
-Design and install your wiring to BS 7671 standards
-Notify Building Control of notifiable work on your behalf
-Provide you with a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate and an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)
This proves the work was carried out safely, legally, and to professional standards.

What Happens If Work Isn’t Part P Compliant?
Ignoring Part P can have serious consequences:
-You could invalidate your home insurance
-You might face fines or have to pay for costly re-inspection
-Unsafe wiring could lead to electric shocks or fires
-When selling your home, missing certificates can delay or block the sale

How to Make Sure Your Work Meets Part P
1. Always hire a registered electrician (NAPIT or NICEIC)
2. Ask for proof of registration before work starts
3. Keep all certificates safely for future reference
4. Don’t attempt notifiable work yourself — it’s not worth the risk

✅ In Summary
What is Part P?
The section of UK Building Regulations covering electrical safety in homes
Why does it matter?
It ensures domestic electrics are installed safely and legally
Who can carry out Part P work?
Only registered electricians (like NAPIT members) or work inspected by Building Control
What should I get after work?
Electrical Installation Certificate + Building Regulations Compliance Certificate

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07/11/2025

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