Building Regulations – Electricians
In addition to complying with Part P standards electrical work is also required to conform to various aspects of building regulations. Complying with building regulations are a legal requirement so you should always check that any electrical work undertaken on your property is up to standard.
Building Regulations – Structural Considerations
It is necessary to ensure that the structural integrity of a building or dwelling is not compromised by drilling or creating holes when installing electrical cables. Care and attention must be paid to the depth of chasing and the size of holes and notes in joists. For more detail take a look at this PDF produced by ELECSA.
Building Regulations – Site Preparation & Resistance to Moisture
When creating new holes or penetrations for electrical installations the work can deteriorate the integrity of barriers designed to prevent moisture or contaminants entering the structure. This commonly occurs when you drill through the damp proof membrane of a house or damaging gas piece within walls which allows gas to escape into cavity walls.
Building Regulations – Sound Resistance
Correctly sealing holes and spaces surrounding fittings and cables may be required to ensure adequate sound proofing. This is common on terraced housing of apartments.
Building Regulations – Air Ventilation
Extractor fans are necessary in rooms with water vapour (bathrooms) and pollutants are present (kitchens & utility rooms). These fans are expected to process either 30 or 15 litres per second depending on the circumstance.
Building Regulations – Fuel & Power Efficiency
The regulations regarding energy and heat efficient are likely to change as a result of BREXIT but the current guide lines apply to new buildings, extensions & rewires:
1 energy efficient light fitting per 25m2 or 1 energy efficient light fitting per 4 fixed light fittings.
Electric boilers serving wet central heating systems and electric heaters including: warm air heating, panel heaters, storage heaters. The main requirements stipulate that dwelling with a floor area below 150 m2 must be divided in 2 with 2 independent temperature zones – one of which should be living quarters. Dwellings with a floor area above 150 m2 should be as above but with separate timing and temperature controls.
