EIC issuing?........

[Barnaby Stedman]

A question came up today - do you actually have to have any qualifications to issue an EIC? It would show conformity of the installation to BS 7671 so do you have to have taken the 18th regs exam or not? Obviously it is not a sensible idea but i was just wondering? I am reffering to it from the point of view of a sparky not registered with a competent persons scheme - so getting building control involved etc.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

You do not require any qualifications to issue a generic EIC, but if you are issuing a scheme EIC obviously you will have to meet their qualifications requirements.
A generic EIC will have your name on it, as long as it is a correct documentation of a compliant job then all's good, if it's a load of tosh then M'lud will take a very dim view if it ends up in court.

 

[Barnaby Stedman]

Ok - thankyou - that makes it clear. What events could mean that the thing ends up in court?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

BS7671 requires appropriate certification to be issued whenever applicable electrical work is conducted.
BS7671 doesn’t require anyone to have qualifications.
Having the 18th may make it easier for someone to comply with BS7671.

 

[Strima]

What events could mean that the thing ends up in court?

The circuit/s are designed/installed/tested incorrectly and the installation catches fire killing someone would tend to mean someone ends up in court on a minimum of a manslaughter charge.

 

[Risteard]

BS7671 doesn’t require anyone to have qualifications.

It does, however, require them to be competent.

 

[Barnaby Stedman]

It does, however, require them to be competent.

yes ok - but does that meant competent - as in know their stuff? or being part of a competent persons scheme

 

[DPG]

yes ok - but does that meant competent - as in know their stuff? or being part of a competent persons scheme

You don't have to be a member of a scheme to design /install/ test an install. But it will aid notification.

 

[Strima]

One way of showing competence is through qualification but it can be shown other ways such as an assessed demonstration of skill without the attainment of qualification such as showing a member of LABC you can correctly design, install and commission a circuit using the appropriate publications, tooling and test equipment.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

yes ok - but does that meant competent - as in know their stuff? or being part of a competent persons scheme

BS7671 was around long before Part P and competent persons schemes.
Also Part P only applies to domestic installations, so all those office buildings, hospitals, football stadiums, etc. all need EICs and not a competent persons scheme in sight.

Now we have the 18th, so does that mean anyone who qualified to the 14th, 15th, 16th or 17th is no longer competent?
You don’t have to pass an exam to know how to read a book.

 

[Barnaby Stedman]

Ok - that is very interesting. Has anyone had any experience in doing this without any qualifications - how strict are building control??

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Ok - that is very interesting. Has anyone had any experience in doing this without any qualifications - how strict are building control??

Sorry, can’t help there.

 

[Strima]

Ok - that is very interesting. Has anyone had any experience in doing this without any qualifications - how strict are building control??

You need to speak to building control as their requirements vary across the country.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

The thing is it's very hard to prove competence without formal qualifications, even though formal qualifications don't themselves prove competence!

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Would it not just be a question of issuing an EIC and leaving it at that?

 

[Barnaby Stedman]

Would it not just be a question of issuing an EIC and leaving it at that?

Ok - do building control have to give you permission to issue an EIC or what? sorry, dont have much experience with labc

 

[Deleted member 9648]

If you feel you are competent issue away, but you need to realise that an EIC alone may not be sufficient, if notification is required to BC then you will have to pay their fee for each job.

 

[Strima]

Ok - do building control have to give you permission to issue an EIC or what? sorry, dont have much experience with labc

To notify LABC you should provide the relevant certificate for the nature of works and pay them a fee to do so. Or you can do the same through a CPS scheme at a much reduced cost.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Ok - do building control have to give you permission to issue an EIC or what? sorry, dont have much experience with labc

Issuing an EIC, has nothing to do with the LABC.
They cannot give or withhold permission for one, it’s a requirement of BS7671.
Whether they accept it or not, is another matter.