Part B Building Regs

[steve100]

I know that in line with part b of the building regs when rewiring a house you need to install smoke alarms upstairs and down and a heat detector in the kitchen. However what I can not seem to find is anything to this fact in BS7671 or the OSG. I have seen it in the red OSG, but nothing in the current green one. Can anyone please tell me if it is mentioned anywhere in the current BS7671 or OSG? Thxs

 

[Baker1988]

Hi I dont think building regs have any thing to do with bs7671 but I do know that the building regs always apply so you should still follow them what ever they say

 

[steve100]

My understanding is that by being compliant with the regs would mean that you would also be compliant with building regs. However there is no mention in the current OSG (green one) about installing smoke alarms and heat detectors, but there is in the previous one (red one). So was just asking if anybody knew where, if at all does it says anything about this in the current regs and/or OSG?

 

[Paul.M]

A rewire of an existing domestic property does not need to be fitted with smokes and heats. Any form of new build or extension DO require smoke and heat detectors. May also be advisable to the customer to install a carbon detector in the boiler room in any situation, I always offer both.

 

[steve100]

Is this detailed anywhere in bs7671 or OSG? In the red OSG it mentions that a refurbished property requires smoke and heat, would you not class a rewire as a refurb?

 

[Paul.M]

Is this detailed anywhere in bs7671 or OSG? In the red OSG it mentions that a refurbished property requires smoke and heat, would you not class a rewire as a refurb?

Steve, post up the reg/regs that you are referring to mate.

 

[steve100]

Don't think I have explained very well, I suppose what I am asking is apart from part b of the building regs, does it mention anything anywhere about smoke or heat detectors in the current bs7671 or the current green OSG? The reason I ask is that I was working with a sparky the other day and he said that rewires would require smoke and heat detectors to be fitted. But I can not seem to find where it says this. I spoke to a mate who has the previous OSG and on page 65 it refers to part p and b. In the part b section it says I quote "Part B requires all new and refurbished dwelling houses to be provided with a fire detection and alarm system" but I can't seem to find this in the current regs or OSG or anything similar. So I was wandering if anybody else knew if it was in there and if so where or would you just refer to Part B?

 

[Happy Jack]

Apologies if I'm stating the obvious; as far as I'm aware, the specific guidance is beyond the scope of the OSG.

http://electrical.------.org/books/guidance-notes/electricians-guide-part-p-2nd-edition.cfm

http://electrical.------.org/books/guidance-notes/fire-detection.cfm

 

[Paul.M]

I have dug out the red OSG and yes it says "requires all new and refurbished dwellings houses to be provided with fire detection and alarm system".

The word "refurbished" I believe would mean if the house was stripped back to the brick and not just a rewire. I'll look into that, I could be wrong.

 

[steve100]

Thanks Paul, I did have a quick read of section 1 of part b, it does say new builds, but can't see anything in there about refurbishments. It also seems strange as to why they would remove that section relating to part b of the building regs from the lasted version of the OSG (Green), if it still have a high relevance? Be good to understand there definition of refurbishment. I also read that if there is a door between the kitchen and stairway or circulation space a heat detector isn't required is that correct?

 

[trev]

I have dug out the red OSG and yes it says "requires all new and refurbished dwellings houses to be provided with fire detection and alarm system".

The word "refurbished" I believe would mean if the house was stripped back to the brick and not just a rewire. I'll look into that, I could be wrong.

I've always taken it to mean that a rewire is a refurb of the electrical system. Obviously it's open to interpretation but as a rule, if you include smokes up and down you'd be covering your butt. I'm not too sure on the heat detector in the kitchen being mandatory but once again, for the cost and effort involved in fitting one you can't really complain about throwing one in.

 

[steve100]

I did have a quick read of section 1 of part b, it does say new builds, but can't see anything in there about refurbishments.

Cheers Trev, I did look in Part B of the building regs and it only seems to mention new dwelling, but the advice is then to do it anyway when rewiring?