New wiring regs???

Hi. A friend of mine who lives in a 30's semi which has been rewired at some unknown time in the past ie plastic covered cable, 13A ring main etc is having a loft extension done. The electrical contractor won't connect the new wiring in to the existing until he has re-wired the entire house. When asked why, he just says "it's the new wiring regs".

Same electrician, when asked to move the consumer unit to a place under the stairs says he can't do it because "the new wiring regs" specify a minimum height from the floor.

Is there an element of truth in either of these assertions or is the electrician drumming up business for himself?

TIA Richard

Reply to
Richard Walker
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The new wiring has to comply with current regs. If the electrician cannot satisfy himself that the existing wiring is compliant it makes sense to run a new circuit from the CU. This may involve updating the main earth bonding etc if necessary.

Not true. The regulations for the height of wiring accessories are not in the wiring regs, they are in the building regs (Part M), and do not apply to existing buildings, only new ones (and I don't think they apply to CUs anyway).

It sounds like he may be being, shall I say, over-enthusiastic about excessive replacement. And given the current shortage of tradesmen one wonders why he is short of work, if he's any good ...

However, without seeing the existing wiring it is impossible to know whether it does actually require replacement - it might do.

Incidentall, if the loft conversion is covered with a Building Regs application, then the wiring can be put on that application and can then be done by a DIYer in compliance with Part P, without any additional inspection etc (other than that which is provided by the council inclusive to the standard fee).

Owain

Reply to
Owain

Sounds like he is trying to generate extra work, but we don't now the quality of the installtion.

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Reply to
Stephen Dawson

I think this depends on the Council. My local council, Medway will charge you an additional =A3175 for any electrical installation approval on top of their existing building control fees.

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Reply to
deckertim

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does my council (although I've yet to put in a Part P building notice myself); notwithstanding a directive from ODPM that they aren't allowed to do so (a link has been posted here before but I can't find it); therefore any additional fees *should* be challengeable.

David

Reply to
Lobster

If this does not exist anymore (ODPM), where does it put the crapy rules that it poured out :-)

Dave

Just asking ;-)

Reply to
Dave

This is at the moment a grey area on which more info is sought & more investigatioon is needed. Part P ed 2 (April 2006) makes it clear that councils cannot seek additional fees *after* the initial building regs notice or plans are lodged/accepted. But what is the position if the council, as Medway, wants the =A3175 up front? Nor is it clear whether councils can charge differing amounts for different sections of the B Regs.

Since ?1999 when fee setting was 'devolved' to councils there hasn't been an official scale published by govt. How these fees are set seems to be a murky job done behind closed doors of local govt associations, just like any good cartel. Anyone out there able to lift the curtain?

Reply to
jim_in_sussex

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