Debate with fellow domestic sparky

Dustydazzler · Mar 12, 2021

So , I was at a house this afternoon pricing a small job and there was a fellow domestic installer sparks there as well, pricing the same job (awkward)

We got chatting about part pee amongst other things (boring)

Long and short I mentioned the garage / outbuiding rewire + replacement fuse board needs notifying under part pee , he was absolutely adamant that is does not. He actually was quite aggressive saying I was totally wrong. He went on to say in his 14 years as a registered D.I that he has never notified any work in a garage or outbuilding...

am I wrong ??

loz2754 · Mar 13, 2021

stevethesparks said:
I'd say that would be a poor excuse not to notify. The circuits from such a 2 module enclosure would still be new circuits, and the ocpd characteristics would have been changed.

I'm not looking for an excuse. It doesn't bother me if I have to notify something, as I'm registered to do so. Just pointing out that the list of things that need to be notified is very small and clearly defined, and does not include a 2 module enclosure. It could be argued that a switched fused isolator is a type of consumer unit I suppose. The wording in part P is very precise yet still unclear. Typical government document.

stevethesparks · Mar 13, 2021

loz2754 said:
I'm not looking for an excuse.

Was not pointing a finger at you, just the concept that others may see this as an excuse. Personally I would notify. Part P does seem to indicate this would be a necessity if in Wales, but isn't so clear imho for other area's.

old man sparky · Mar 13, 2021

Its not difficult to notify your work, especially if your with a scheme provider. He obviously is not taking into account the legal repercussions that he could be placing his client under. After all its the home owner who will be responsible for ensuring they use a registered contractor who can back there work up with documentation.
Having said that part P is not particularly well policed, or its requirements made known to the average person, so many get away with this kind of thing.
His arguments going to be something like.
Its not the consumer unit mate that's in the house.
This is a fuse board, connected to an existing radial circuit, from that consumer unit.
Just an improvement on the existing socket it was connected too originally with a fused spur for the lights.
No part P no installation cert. Here's your minor works (If your lucky) bish bash bosh give me yer cash and I'm on me way.
Am I speaking from experience here, sadly yes. But gave up spitting feathers on this kind of thing years ago, doesn't do the blood pressure any good.
How,s about asking him how he verifies Design, Construction, suitability for the environment ect and of course testing.
How suitable is the supply cable for the clients supply and demand ?
What earthing arrangements are at the origin, and can they be safely exported with possible bonding considerations ? Or will a TT system need to be considered. The list goes on but only an experienced or willing to learn sparky will know that.
A lot has changed since I came into the Industry back in 1969, but sadly the horse riders still seem to successfully navigate there way around the industry, turning it into a cash cow.
For what its worth, things have improved a hell of a lot though.
Whoops sorry !! I've waffled on a bit.