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Last updated: 18 December 2024
What is the Electrician's Guide to the Building Regulations?
We look at what the Electrician’s Guide to the Building Regulations is and why your trade business may need it. Find out how knowing the rules can keep you safe and help win you business.
In this article you'll find:
What is the Electrician's Guide to the Building Regulations?
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) produces the Electrician's Guide to the Building Regulations.
Its latest Guide was published in 2022 and updated the 2020 version. The current Electrician's Guide to the Building Regulations is the sixth edition.
The Guide covers all the relevant parts of the Building regulations. This includes:
Fire safety
Ventilation
Energy conservation
The Electrician's Guide to the Building Regulations is widely available. As a skilled tradesperson working with electrical systems, it makes sense to stay up to date to ensure compliance with the latest rules affecting electricians.
What are building regulations for electricians?
The latest version of the Government's Building Regulations (2010) cover many areas, including electrical safety. The latest ‘Part P’ was introduced in 2013 and looks specifically at electrical safety in dwellings.
In brief, anyone involved in electrical work in homes, conservatories, garages and other dwellings must protect people from:
Fire
Electric shocks
Typical types of electrical work covered by Building Regulations include:
Installing circuits
Altering circuits
Replacing fuse boxes
Wiring and rewiring
The regulations apply to anyone who carries out electrical work in a home. Like many organisations, we urge electricians to gain the right qualifications.
This helps to reduce the risk to homeowners or using rogue traders.
As well as gaining experience, having the right tools for the electrical job demonstrates your professionalism.
What are British Standards?
British Standards (BS) are the UK's national standard-setting body. The standards cover many areas of construction work covered in building regulations.
BS 6761 sets out requirements relating to electrical wiring. It's another type of regulation that tradespeople need to know about.
You need to know the roles to work safely and build trust with your customers.
What are the BS7671 amendment 2 wiring changes?
Amendment 2 of the 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2018) was announced at the end of March 2022. The previous amendments (BS7671:2018+A1:2020) have been withdrawn at the end of September 2022. But what does BS7671 amendment 2 mean for you? As part of your electrician marketing plans
Why is guidance needed?
Demand for electricians is high. And it's only going to increase. Moves into new energy-saving areas for heating and energy add to demand. This includes air source heat pumps and solar panels.
Some estimates say more than 100,000 new electricians are needed by 2023.*
It’s a massive opportunity for professional tradespeople to join a thriving and growing business sector.
The IET’s Electrician's Guide to the Building Regulations covers:
Fire caused by electrical equipment
Protection against voltage disruptions
Protection against electromagnetic disturbance
Low-voltage installations relating to energy efficiency measure
Managing renewable energy sources
Energy storage
Managing electricity usage
Connecting with smart grids
Whether you’re experienced or new to the profession, keeping up with the latest skills is essential. That’s where domestic electrician’s training can keep you on the front foot.
Now might be the right time for you to expand your electrician skills.
How to upskill as an electrician
Electricians are constantly in high demand in the UK. So, if you want to win more work, you might be wondering how to upskill as an electrician. Upskilling is a great way to ensure you have the skills and knowledge that homeowners need – especially as more electricians enter the industry. So, let's
Why electricians choose to self-certify their work
Another way to demonstrate your professionalism is to self-certify your electrical work. This is done through the competent person scheme.
There are five Government-approved competent persons self-certification schemes aimed at electricians:
BESCA
Blue Flame Certification
NAPIT
OFTEC
Certsure (trading as NIC-EIC and ELECSA)
You don’t have to be in a competent person scheme if you don’t want to. If you don’t self-certify you must use either:
A building control body, such as a local authority
A registered third-party certifier
Getting it right is obviously a priority. Having the right electrician’s insurance in place can help to provide cover in the unlikely event that something goes wrong.
Gaining NAPIT accreditation
Many electricians choose NAPIT accreditation. It helps ensure you keep up with all the latest standards.
The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT) is a government-approved service that runs a competent person scheme.
You go through NAPI’s accreditation process. This demonstrates your competence as an electrician. It also shows you understand how to comply with the Building Regulations.
Looking for more work as an accredited electrician?
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If you’re looking to win more business as an electrician we can help. Having a marketing plan for finding customers is a good starting point.
Checkatrade members receive our help with new enquiries. There are lots of other benefits of Checkatrade membership too.
They include:
Dedicated membership advice team
Work guarantee up to £1,000 (T&Cs apply)
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What do you need to become Checkatrade approved?
Being a Checkatrade member comes with a whole host of benefits, but the biggest has to be gaining our seal of approval. You can then demonstrate your great reputation and win more business. That’s because homeowners trust tradespeople with the Checkatrade tick next to their name. It's a sign that
FAQs
What is the Electrician's Guide to the Building Regulations?
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) provides an Electrician's Guide to the Building Regulations. The IET details all the rules and also provides advice on areas like training for electricians.
Why is the Electrician's Guide to the Building Regulations important?
It’s a requirement to meet Building Regulations on electrical work in dwellings. The regulations help to ensure professional tradespeople carry out electrical work, which can cause safety risks if done incorrectly.
As an electrician can I self-certify my work?
Yes, if you have the right accreditation to do so. The IET and others provide accreditation services under the ‘competent person scheme’. If you choose not to self-certify, you must get your work checked by either a third-party certifier or a building control body, such as a local authority.
How do I start up and grow an electrician trade business?
With the right steps, starting an electrician trade business can be easy. As well as training and qualifications, you’ll need to consider business areas like insurance, marketing and having the best tools for the job.
Ready to take your trade skills to the next level?
We can help you find more jobs in your local area
* Data from the UK Skills Index 2023, quoted by Professional Electrician & Installer in article from March 2023: "Demand for electricians set to soar as trade sector vacancies hit record highs" (accessed here)