NICEIC chief executive officer Emma Clancy was among a panel of leading electrical contracting industry figures called in front of the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) Select Committee to discuss the case for retaining electrical safety as part of the building regulations.
The government is currently reviewing the Building Regulations, in particular Part P with a view to changing or amending the legislation which covers electrical work carried out around the home. NICEIC believe the regulation should be retained but reformed to ensure tighter enforcement and compliance.
Clancy was part of a panel of representatives from the electrical contracting industry who attended the select committee, chaired by MPs. She was joined by Phil Buckle from the Electrical Safety Council, Paul Everall, chief executive, Local Authority Building Control, Steve Bratt, chief executive officer, ECA, Chris Town, director, Residential Landlords Association and Diane Marshall, group head of building bontrol, NHBC.
The Committee questioned the workings of Competent Persons Schemes, electrical safety and enforcement. The industry urged the government to think carefully about making any amendments which could compromise safety in the home or the business advantages that can be gained by being registered. A recent survey of NICEIC contractors revealed 85% would prefer to see Part P amended rather than ended.
“Cutting cost and red tape for the contractor is absolutely key when CLG look at amending Part P of the Building Regulations,” explained Clancy. “However, electrical safety must not be compromised by the amendments. Our worst fear is that Part P is diluted further so that the regulation becomes so complex those contractors who are registered with a competent person’s scheme and do things properly are not undermined.”
NICEIC’s proposals to CLG on reforming the Building Regulations can be found on its website at www.niceic.com.
