Cables run in cavity between block and brick of an internal wall

[DJ Ovengloves]

Take plenty of photos!

 

[rolyberkin]

It doesn't work like that, the person allocated by building control is responsible for design, construction and test. You should arrange a site visit with the contractor prior to starting works, after first fix and when you are ready to test and connect. The testing process for any installation should be constant and ongoing throughout an installation. A good example is where a customer of mine put two nails through dead cables (in safe zones) when plaster boarding, as we were testing as we went along we found the problem prior to plastering. Also never assume a cable is okay until tested, you could have a faulty cable and be undoing loads of building work to re run. This is why third party certification can sometimes a false economy.

 

[rolyberkin]

And as above take loads of photos!

 

[Ian1981]

Will your new cavity wall be getting cavity insulation installed in it?
I’d not run cables in a cavity if this was the case especially if it’s those polystyrene balls as it reacts with the plasticier of the cables and makes the insulation go all soft leading to possible faults.

Edit your protecting the cables with conduit
Must learn to read

 

[knighty]

Thanks for all the advice, I will give building control a call to discuss. Hypothetically though, what would happen if you bought a house without electrical certification. In this situation the tester wouldn't have done a visual inspection or be part of the design but would surely still be able to sign it off?

And separately the tester would be a competent person but say I'm confident of meeting Part P and BS7671 and take lots of photos and explain what I've done, so long as its correct would the inspector still be able to sign it off ? Clearly there is a big risk here of messing it up and it failing on safety, but also and as mentioned above runs the risk of simply not working and being covered up by plaster and made good.

 

[Andy78]

Thanks for all the advice, I will give building control a call to discuss. Hypothetically though, what would happen if you bought a house without electrical certification. In this situation the tester wouldn't have done a visual inspection or be part of the design but would surely still be able to sign it off?

And separately the tester would be a competent person but say I'm confident of meeting Part P and BS7671 and take lots of photos and explain what I've done, so long as its correct would the inspector still be able to sign it off ? Clearly there is a big risk here of messing it up and it failing on safety, but also and as mentioned above runs the risk of simply not working and being covered up by plaster and made good.

I have heard of a job round my way where the wiring got done without building control being involved. They got wind of it and made the house owner rip apart the finished extension so that it could be inspected/rewired. There are also BC officers that don't give a hoot.

Solicitors these days are quite aware of the requirements of building control. I have been involved in providing reports for house sales that have been stalled for months and even fallen through because of incorrect documentation.

 

[telectrix]

may i ask what's the projected estimate of costs for BC and all inspection and testing in total?

 

[Octopus]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'm not an electrician but will be doing the work myself and have paid the extra for not being a competent persons and getting building control to sign it off.

So in summary to save money you want free advice from the very people who should be doing the work ........................ not from me.

 

[Octopus]

Near me a builder has just had to remove the roof structure, the internal walls and the first fixed electrics and plumbing of an loft conversion /extension as they had built it much bigger then the plans allowed. ....... a vistory for the neigbours who made the complaint and go the local planners to act...................

 

[knighty]

Don't we all want to try and save money Murdoch?


I want to make sure I do everything necessary to meet the regulations and build a safe extension hence why I'm asking for advice. Building control have signed off everything up to the insulation and next on the list is the electrics. I'm project managing everything and doing what I can when I can whilst working a full time job. There is only so much reading I can do but at some point I want to ask the people who have the experience for advice, your choice if you want to give it or not. And for those that have contributed I very much appreciate that.
As I stated earlier I will speak to building control to get their thoughts because I'm not comfortable risking going further to have it all ripped down.

I did BC under notice and not full plans. The cost was about £900 as its over 40m2 and the electrics sign off was £300ish.

 

[Octopus]

Don't we all want to try and save money Murdoch?

Well ............. yes to a point, but certainly nothing like this ..........

With our refurbishment and extension, the family ripped the place apart, I did all the wiring, power data, tv etc and we did all the decorating etc

All other work including connecting up the TV points were done by the professionals...

 

[rolyberkin]

There are three parts to an electrical certificate, design, construction and test, personally I do not sign off other peoples work and in my view most sensible people don't as they are then liable for the installation. Some councils may allow a post build eicr but not normally around the time of the build as they will see it as a deliberate attempt to bypass the requirements of Part P. If you are working with building control to do your own electrics they will need to satisfy themselves that all three elements of certification are are complied with and will expect a discussion and or paperwork around design, inspection at first fix and also testing. Some councils even for sign off under a notice will expect you to provide an electrical installation certificate in compliance with BBS7671 at your own cost. Speak to your allocated building control officer as to what their local policies are and what they require.

 

[telectrix]

Don't we all want to try and save money Murdoch?


I want to make sure I do everything necessary to meet the regulations and build a safe extension hence why I'm asking for advice. Building control have signed off everything up to the insulation and next on the list is the electrics. I'm project managing everything and doing what I can when I can whilst working a full time job. There is only so much reading I can do but at some point I want to ask the people who have the experience for advice, your choice if you want to give it or not. And for those that have contributed I very much appreciate that.
As I stated earlier I will speak to building control to get their thoughts because I'm not comfortable risking going further to have it all ripped down.

I did BC under notice and not full plans. The cost was about £900 as its over 40m2 and the electrics sign off was £300ish.

for what you want doing, i'd estimate a total labour cost of £700 -£800, so, knocking off the £300 BC fee, you are only saving £400 - £500 and you've got all the hassle. is it worth it?

 

[knighty]

Thank you all for your advice. I think my original question was answered as well as an interesting debate on best practice for doing the works and having it signed off. I'm definitely speaking to building control and will take it from there.

On the topic of saving money yes that is a big part but of what I'm trying to achieve, I have limited funds and a big family that needs housing. But on top of that i'm interested in learning how things work because it means I know how to repair things when they go wrong. And the last reason for trying to do some of this stuff myself is I'm sick and tired of professional tradesman charging £300 a day to disappear off to screwfix to pick up a part they have should have with them and then leaving my house in a state and not clearing up after themselves. Numerous cigarette butts, food wrappers, and general mess left everywhere. And I'm the one that gets it in the neck from the missus. I'll do anything to avoid that because she is bat sh!t crazy lol.

Thanks again everyone

 

[telectrix]

hmm. i don't smoke in a client's house, always tidy up. if i'm short of something i should have with me, i fetch it on my own time. most sparks are the same. you must be referring to plumbers and plasterers.