Wired Up for Changes
Legislation of electrical installations to protect homes will be in place this summer, as the 16th Edition of the Wiring Regulations is updated.
BS 7671 (The IEE Wiring Regulations) are the national standard to which all domestic and industrial wiring must conform. The 17th edition contains substantial changes to align with European documents, as the last edition has been in place since 1991. This British Standard is published under the direction of the British Electrotechnical Committee (BEC) and The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
BS 7671:2008 Requirements for Electrical Installations was issued on 1st January 2008 and is intended to come into effect on 1st July 2008. Installations designed after 30th June 2008 are to comply with BS 7671:2008. The Regulations apply to the design, erection and verification of electrical installations, plus additions and alterations to existing installations.
This will have a direct impact on the new build and refurbishment sectors of PH Jones Ltd and will ensure that the highest standards are maintained. PH Jones Ltd also acquired a specialist electrical contracting company in 2007, D-TEC which carries out a variety of domestic, commercial and industrial electrical works ranging from a simple distribution board upgrade up to rewiring a whole housing estate or a new office block installation. Managing Director Martin Jones said:
“PH Jones fully support the introduction of the 17th Edition regulations and see it as an opportunity to continue providing the best standards for our customers in design, installation and maintenance”.
The 17th edition contains many more amendments over the 16th edition wiring regulations, and the IEE have produced a draft copy for review. This is currently available for public consultation and therefore the exact content of the final copy is unconfirmed.
There are significant changes to both the technical content and structure of the book. The principle amendments for the 17th edition wiring regulations include:
• A change allowing a socket outlet in bathrooms (if 3ms from the edge of a bath or shower and RCD protected)
• Extension of the Regulations to cover new ‘special locations’: exhibition shows, photovoltaic (pv) power supply systems, floor and heating systems, marinas and fairgrounds and amusements parks
• Re-numbering and re-structuring of chapters to align with international standards
The IEE Wiring Regulations are relevant to all those concerned with the design, installation and maintenance of electric wiring in buildings. The market includes electricians, electrical contractors, consultants, Local Authorities, surveyors and architects. Many have only ever followed the16th edition of the Wiring Regulations, but the forthcoming 17th edition will be less of an impact than the change from the fifteenth to sixteenth edition in 1991. In summary, the regulations have been updated to reflect changes in electrical and building developments and to achieve a common standard throughout the EU.
If you have an enquiry related to this news story, please complete the online enquiry form.
