What Is Part P? — Electrical Safety Regulations

Definition

Part P (Approved Document P: Electrical Safety - Dwellings) is the section of the Building Regulations for England and Wales that governs electrical installation work in domestic properties. Introduced in 2005, it requires that electrical work is designed, installed, inspected, and tested to ensure safety, and that certain types of work are notified to the local Building Control body.

When Is It Used?

Part P applies to all electrical installation work in dwellings, including houses, flats, and shared amenity areas. The regulations are particularly important when installing new circuits, fitting a new consumer unit, carrying out work in kitchens and bathrooms, or adding outdoor electrical installations. The technical standard referenced by Part P is BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations, currently 18th Edition with Amendment 2).

Key Facts

• Part P was introduced on 1 January 2005 and last updated in 2013
• Notifiable work must be done by a Part P registered electrician or notified to Building Control
• An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) must be issued for all new circuits
• A Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) covers small non-notifiable additions
• Consumer unit replacement has been notifiable since January 2016 (Amendment 3 to AD P)
• All consumer units in domestic premises must be enclosed in a non-combustible material (metal)
• Registered competent persons can self-certify without Building Control involvement
• Building Control notification fees typically range from £250 to £500

Related Calculators

Use the Cable Sizing Calculator to determine correct cable sizes for circuits, or the Lighting Circuit Calculator for domestic lighting designs. See also the BS 7671 glossary entry for the technical standard.