What areas am I allowed to work in????????

[SA_Paddy]

Hi there,

I'll shortly be completing some final courses to qualify and work as an electrician. However - I cant get a straight answer as to whether I am only allowed to work in domestic installations, testing and certification or whether I can perform Instillation, Testing and Certification on Commercial Properties.

The qualifications I have/Will have are:

City and Guilds 2382-10 - 17th Edition Wiring Regulations
City and Guilds 2377-12 - Portable Appliance Testing
City and Guilds 2391-10 - Inspection and Testing
City and Guilds 2392-10 - Fundamental Inspection, Testing and Initial Verification
City and Guilds 2393-10 - Certificate in the Building Regulations for Electrical installations in Dwellings
And Emta Awards Limited (EAL) Certificate for Domestic Electrical Installers

I have been approached by a few businesses wanting to know if I can install, test or inspect their electrics in commercial properties. To date I have said no as I am not sure whether I am legally allowed to take on any of these jobs outside of the Domestic Industry.

Any help or guidance on whether and what futhur qualification i need to attain would be appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

John

 

[telectrix]

for commercial and industrial, no problem with anything. it's only domestic where you'll faal foul of part pee as regards notifiable work. not sure what EAL is. you may need to join elecsa or napit for notifiable work in domestics

 

[Phil]

what experience do you have ?

 

[SA_Paddy]

Thanks for the Reply,
Most of my Experience is in wiring of domestic properties including complete rewiring or complete new installations. I have however gained experience in high voltage three phase installations during a recent tour of Afghanistan with the TA Royal Engineers. Where I Basically Re-wired a camp using 400v, 63 and 32 amp supplies. Although I doubt that helps much in the real world. I am very confident of my abilities as an Electrician however - I dont want to go doing work that I am not legally allowed to do. I'm happy to go and obtain whatever courses or experience or supervision necessary. but I dont know what I need and there doesn't seem to be an idiots guide or check-list on the legal requirements.

 

[SimpleSimon]

for commercial and industrial, no problem with anything. it's only domestic where you'll faal foul of part pee as regards notifiable work. not sure what EAL is. you may need to join elecsa or napit for notifiable work in domestics

Wouldn't that be what 2393 covers? Never heard of it like that before but the description sounds right.

 

[j.mawer]

Nope. Your 2393 qualification show that you are understand building regs however to be registered as a "competent person" capable of signing off part-p you need to be in one of the competent person schemes. This would involve parting with cash and having an onsite inspection of some of your work / interview were an inspector from your selected scheme confirms that you are competent both practically and academically.
If you are not a member of a scheme you can still get work signed off by LABC but this is prohibitively expensive in most cases

 

[SA_Paddy]

So what you're saying is it would be stupid not to part with the 500 quid it costs to join Elecsa on their Part P scheme then?

 

[Adam W]

I would have thought it depends what kind of commercial installation you're talking about - a small shop could be similar to wiring a house, whereas a medium to large office would be different in terms of containment etc.

 

[SA_Paddy]

Well I've had a request to do wiring in a small Coffee shop. Basically they wanted more sockets and new lights. Then I had another request to give a Quote on Re-wiring a Church. The church currently is still on The old Rubber insulated Electrics as well as the old style fuse box. The rubber Insulation is failing. They want it all ripped out and new Electrics put in including new lights, New and More sockets and an RCD Board.

 

[telectrix]

coffee shop and church, as long as there is no dwelling in same building, part pee does not apply. so no need to join any scam ( sorry) scheme. you can legally just get on with it.obviously the jobs will still require EICs

 

[DaveyD]

for commercial and industrial, no problem with anything. it's only domestic where you'll faal foul of part pee as regards notifiable work. not sure what EAL is. you may need to join elecsa or napit for notifiable work in domestics

I agree, "1.3.2 Scope of Part P " Not Business premises. I think single phase low voltage in your shop would be fine.
Regards
David

 

[SA_Paddy]

Happy days. Thanks for that. However who would provide the Certification for that? or what scheme or qualifications would i need to be able to self certify if any. lol Scam sounds about right.

 

[telectrix]

with your 2391 you can certify your own work. only exception is domestic notifiable jobs. buy certs ( Robin, kewtech etc.) from wholesaler or tinternet, or buy a disc from ebay for generic certs. about £20+ for all the certs. you'll ever need.

 

[SA_Paddy]

What Qualifications do i need to move onto 3-phase Installations?

 

[SA_Paddy]

Thanks for that - I will have a look for those Generic Certs.

 

[telectrix]

the ones on cd rom are the best. some need open office installed ( free off web) to run . the ones i use can be found on ebay item 120660206273. download open office. transfer certs. from cd to pc, away you go. all data can be inputted on pc, so no illegible scrawl if your writing is like my GP's. as for 3 phase, if you are capable of working with it, do it. no more qualifications apart from experience are required. be sure to get public liability insurance before you even open your toolbox

 

[SA_Paddy]

Thank you for the advice - My handwriting is not the best. besides - i'd be lost without spell checker. lol Any Particular Insurance company you would Reccomend?

 

[telectrix]

sure ther's a forum here for insurance matters. check it out

 

[SA_Paddy]

Thanks - will do. At least its all clear now. many thanks.