Why use the NICEIC?

The NICEIC has been assessing the technical competence of Contractors for over 50 years. Their aim is to protect anyone who uses electricity from unsafe electrical installations in their homes, places of work and leisure. To achieve this, they maintain a register of Electrical Contractors, that they assess as complying with the various standards, codes of practice and Scheme rules.

Contractor assessment covers a representative sample of the Contractors work, their premises, documentation, equipment, and the competence of their key supervisory staff. Once Contractors become registered with NICEIC, they are re-assessed on a regular basis to ensure continued compliance.

Enrolment with NICEIC is voluntary, but Electrical Contractors that are competent and conscientious about the service they offer customers, would consider it a priority to enrol.

It is believed that approximately 90% of Local Authorities in the UK restrict work to NICEIC Approved Contractors on safety grounds, and householders can be assured that all work undertaken by an NICEIC registered contractor will be safe and conform to the current Electrical Regulations (known as BS: 7671)

About electrical testers

Article coming soon..

The Part P

Part P – Electrical Safety
On 1 January 2005 a new Building Regulation came into force on electrical safety.

Which meant that, for the first time, the technical standard of electrical installation work in dwellings (generally houses and flats) was subject to statutory requirements.

With a few exceptions any electrical work undertaken in dwellings, which includes the addition of a new circuit, or involves work in a kitchen, bathroom or garden area must be notified to Building Control.

A Statement of Intent, which indicates two ways to comply with Part P can be downloaded below.

The preferred option is where a registered installer self-certifies the electrical work in which case the body responsible for registering the installer will notify Building Control on your behalf.

Alternatively, where a person not registered to self-certify, intends to carry out the electrical installation a Building Regulation application will need to be submitted together with the appropriate fee. Building Control will then arrange to have the electrical installation inspected at first fix stage and tested upon completion.

Examples of Bad Electrical Workmanship

Here at Totaltesting.co.uk we have seen a lot of bad workmanship over the years, to help you identify some of this bad wormanship here are some images of such work.