OT - DIY domestic electrical work after 1.1.2005

Also sprach "Uno Hoo!" :-

Though, I note the Radio4 comment was that only "major" work was to be covered and that even then you could do it yourself and get it inspected later by the local building control people.

Also sprach Chris Whelan :-

While this is true, the /impression/ given is that you're no longer allowed to do it - and I bet if you ask people in a years time they'll tell you it ain't allowed.

Also sprach Chris Whelan :-

Out of interest - how? Once the wire's buried in the wall and in all probablity tiled over, who's to say how deep it is or what angle it runs at?

Guy King ( snipped-for-privacy@zetnet.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

No, no, no - Building regs inspectors are going to be onsite 24/7 and working one-to-one with every single workman...

Also sprach Adrian :-

D'yer reckon they all have to be trained nannies as well?

Guy King ( snipped-for-privacy@zetnet.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Probably. Either that or compulsory webcams on the safety helmets which must be worn at all times.

"Citizen Smith! Put the light bulb down and step away from the bedside lamp! IMMEDIATELY! A Government Electrical Safety Team have been despatched, together with an Emergency Re-education Unit Courtesy Van to bring you for your treatment! Your bank account has been debited automatically! You will be stopping at the polling station on the way - Remember To Vote For Us. Big Nanny Is Watching You..."

If we reduce the speed limit to 20 miles an hour everywhere, just think of the lives we'll save and injuries we'll avoid!

I'd still prefer a homeowner to be able to do whatever they see fit. Car repairs will be next. I'd suspect that bad workmanship on cars causes more than 5 deaths/576 injuries a year. On this basis I presume you'd be in favour of limiting work to authorised garages?

It was somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember Chris Whelan saying something like:

The impression being fostered by the NICEIC is that nobody outside their membership will be allowed to do it.

There are plenty of good electrical tradesmen out there who are not, and never had any intention of being, members of the NICEIC who will find themselves forced to join or work outside the law.

The scheme itself hardly guarantees fault-free installations - many of the careless ones will carry on working under the umbrella of the NICEIC registration process, simply because one person in the company they work for is registered.

And they'll be easy to get?

Yup... they're suffering from 'CORGI' syndrome, methinks.

Pater has had to become registered with them, and whilst the concept is a good idea on paper, the reality is a money sucking, over the top, 'jobs for the boys', junket.

yep, nothing more than a money spinning confidence trick in reality.

Well I wouldn't put it quite like that; it does serve a purpose, as in it goes someway to keeping cowboys who refuse to comply in check, given their market is restricted by way of the certification a landlord has to provide for boilers etc., in any property they rent out, but...

...it is, when you look at it properly, (and the way it's run), an excuse to screw perfectly good tradesmen into the floor financially, because CORGI have an effective monopoly; if you're a heating engineer, you soon won't be unless you sign up with them and shell out loads of money, both at the time you qualify, and every year thereafter that you wish to remain registered, and there is no realistic alternative.

It doesn't come across as 'fair', anyway, although again, it does discourage some of the less committed shitehawks looking to make quick easy money.

Al

I wonder how many of them are experienced workers working on live equipment that should have known better.

: > : Only legal if you are a competent person. : >

: > It says / where/ precisely? : :

OK, but note that you only need a qualification or certificate of competence if you are being employed to do the work. It's still perfectly legal to do diy gas installation and servicing.

Ian

No argument there. DIYers only have to be competent.

Al

Provided you're competent. The electrical regs just require you to have it inspected by an approved person.

I think this can be interpreted thus only if working on *your own* gas installation. Working on anyone else's - even family and for free - is different.

Ah, I didn't realise that.

I thought the division was paid or "charitable" work.

Al

Think the problem is that doing works for friends or relatives involves some form of payment - if only in love. ;-)