The ECA and NICEIC took to the stage together for the first time in a question time forum concerning the forthcoming Part P of the Building Regulations.
ECA director David Pollock and director general of the NICEIC Jim Speirs have taken part in a joint question time forum on the impending Part P of the Building Regulations.

The two sat side-by-side in a question and answer session covering the impending Part P at the ECA Greater London Region Business Conference on 9 June.

One of the main issues with Part P is the delay in approval of competent persons schemes. Eight separate schemes are currently being considered to enable registration of competent persons for the approval of electrical work. "We expect several of these to be approved," advised Stuart Burchell, the ECA's head of external affairs.

The panel voiced concern over the public understanding of the scheme and the illegalities of not using an approved competent person. The ODPM's Paul Everall confirmed: "The householder is responsible for ensuring that there's compliance with all parts of the Regulations." The lack of decision over the approval of schemes raised concerns about how the public can be made aware of the scheme before it comes into effect.

Pollock reasoned: "While competition between providers of schemes is a good thing, there is a real danger that the public will be confused. There should be one non-proprietary logo; their qualifications should be based on a single standard. It seems highly desirable and would enable promotions to the public to be more practical."

He suggested a single register of competent persons to make it easier for the public. Speirs agreed with this as long as firms will not be penalised: "I have no problem with a central register as long as it's free and is not adding another financial burden onto the contractor."

Pollock and Speirs agreed the actual cost of operating as a competent person would be low, with the additional certificates needed being of "negligible" cost. But Burchell reminded the audience: "Part P, the genuine article, is yet to appear. Everyone is working on a bootleg version to date." The ECA anticipates that the Government will publish Part P this summer. It is scheduled to become law in January 2005.

At the time of going to press a decision on the approval of competent persons schemes was expected to be made on 28 June.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor