first fix inspection / order of jobs

[sm_jamieson]

Assuming that my building control accept the first fix inspection route (they have a form selection for it, still need to phone them and check),

1. I assume the only "controlled" first fix item is electrical. Plumbing is not yet controlled ....;-)

1. How do you balance out the requirement for them to be able to see the work, with other related works ? For example, wiring to kitchen sockets may depend on having some kitchen units fitted (some sockets in cupboards, sockets in line with tiles above worktop etc). But if they are fitted, the wiring behind the base units cannot be seen, nor can wiring behind plasterboard etc.

Cheers, Simon.

[Jim K]

IME they are a pragmatic bunch and as long as you don;t P them around they will be relaxed and understanding about all aspects. I have always found them to be at worst "interested", at best "not bothered" in terms of inspecting and insisting on you uncovering work - as long as they get the idea you are doing things by the book they are unlikely to start getting arsey with you - i.e. they get their job done & you get yours done without either "getting cute".

Have you not met your BCO yet? If not then offer him a brew and biccy when he comes and do your best not to be adversarial about anything...unless you want to increase yourr chances of him nitpicking and being stubborn to "prove their point".......

Cheers Jim K

[TheScullster]

"sm_jamieson" wrote

I am currently at roughly the same stage of work. For undercounter items, dishwasher, washing machine etc. and for integrated appliances I am fitting standard sockets/switches that will be accessed through cutouts in the back panel of each unit. Not quite as neat as mounting the boxes in the cupboards, but will allow first fix inspection of (almost) all wiring at one visit. For sockets above worktops, I have gone for best compromise! Not sure of flooring/worktop thickness yet, so final vertical position relative to worktop/cabinets is within 25mm.

Phil

[ARWadsworth]

Pretty much so.

Having done the first and second electrical inspections for the local BCO I can only suggest that first fix is the point just before you plaster over the cables.

This may mean more than one visit if the works are not completed in one go.

The wiring to the kitchen cupboards are IMHO part of the second fix.

Cheers

Adam

[Jim K]

out of interest what do they pay you for doing that?

Cheers Jim K

[sm_jamieson]

Hmm, but if plasterboarding, you will board over the cables in one go, so there is no chase to be plastered over ! You have aircrete blocks with wiring clipped to them, then suddenly a plasterboarded wall hiding them all. Simon.

[sm_jamieson]

I've had foundations, drainage, before plastering etc. inspections, so far 2 different BCOs. They did the job last thing in the day, and were keen to get home, so no coffee etc. was required ;-) Simon.

[Jim K]

ah ok bigger job that I imagined ;>)

I'd think nothing of giving em a ring and asking what they want you to do - perhaps by now they will be agreeable to you cracking on with some walls/elecs etc on the understanding that you;ve built/wired them exactly same as the ones you leave for them to "inspect"?

Cheers Jim K

[ARWadsworth]

I was charging £100 plus VAT {1}regardless of how many times I had to call at the property. Usually it was just two visits but sometimes the customer needed some help and I had to call back to make sure that they had got things right.

TBH I have not done one for over 2 years (I guess the BCO has got someone else in or has stopped offering the service) but there is still an outstanding job where the customer has still not finished the wiring!

{1} These were full rewires not small extensions or kitchen rewires.

Cheers

Adam

[ARWadsworth]

So just before plasterboarding then:-)

Cheers

Adam

[sm_jamieson]

Well I phoned the Coventry building regs office.

They said if a building regulation application was made specifically for electrical work (i.e. a fee has been paid specifically for electrical work), they would sent out an electrician to do a first fix inspection.

However, if doing electrical work as part of other building work (a non-electrical building regs application), an electician must be employed to do a first fix inspection and then test and produce a certificate at the end.

I then asked if electricians are allowed or willing to inspect other peoples's work having not done it themselves. He said there was some confusion with the safety regulations, but that it is fine to do this. He said it was not necessary for the BCO to instruct an electrician for them to inspect someone elses work. From previous comments I'd heard, I thought this was slightly dodgy, but obviously not.

Building control just want a certificate at the end, don't really care how they get it by the sound of it. But they will not pay for an electrician on a normal buildings regs application.

Simon.

[Owain]

An electrician can't certify someone else's work for the purposes of Part P.

An electrician can however produce a piece of paper which the BCO will accept in lieu of inspection. The actual certification for Part P is thus given by the BCO.

I think (most) BCOs are probably fairly pragmatic and realise that anyone going through the Part P / building regs application process is likely to be reasonably responsible about doing an adequate job of work.

Owain