Do any Gas Fitters use Part P electrics? Assistance required

[mollymoo]

Hello everyone,

I am hoping that you can help us out with an issue regarding our sons training, I know this is the plumbers forum but I wanted to find out some 'real world' answers before we commit to paying out ££££ for a qualification that he may or may not, need.

He is undertaking a 5 year plumbing & gas apprenticeship and is presently working towards completing his NVQ Level 3 but is getting a bit worried about what is called 'Part P electrics'

The NVQ Level 3 covers wiring but some of the other lads on his day release college course have started to undertake Part P domestic electric installer courses to get on competent person schemes - There seems to be a 'panic' on to do this and get on these schemes before next year when all domestic electrical work can only be completed by those with an NVQ Level 3 in electrics (Which I can understand from a safety point of view) which has got him a bit unerved as he hsn't been offered the chance to do a Part P scheme by his employer (Basically his employer won't pay for the extra qualification)
Our sons employer is Part P registered himself so can self certify any new installations that he may put in but our concern is that should our son ever go self employed (which is his long term goal) that he might be at a disadvantage if he isn't on an electrical comptence scheme.

Our question is in the real world of gas fitting do any of you qualified Gas fitters do any 'notifiable' work on a day to day basis of changing/ replacing/ servicing boilers etc?

Paul, our son, has already said that the only electrical work HE does on site is replacing showers like for like which is non notifiable (and has even said that once he goes self employed in a few years any major refits that involve major work like new circuits he would just get an electrician in for) - Any new installs at present his boss does, but even when I have spoken to his employer direct about this subject he won't give me a straight answer for whatever reason (We think he is frightened that once our son has completed his 5 years he will just up and leave so wants to 'keep' him which is good on one hand but I don't want Paul to be left disadvantaged long term because of his employers reluctance to help him further his career outside of his company)

Because of this if Paul is to do the Part P course, the 17th edition & the CG inspection and testing, join a competent person scheme and buy the required test equipment we will have to pay it for him - so far we have worked it out at 3k ++ to get it all done together with the annual membership fees of the schemes. We don't mind putting ourselves in a financial hole if it helps him long term but we don't want to have to take out a loan if he isn't going to use the Part P on anything other than a regular basis!

Please please please can I have some straight talking answers from the gas fitters out there? On the 'wet' side of plumbing I know what the scope of electrical work is involved but haven't got a clue what the Gas boys do on a day to day basis that might be classed as 'notifiable' ?!

 

[desrob]

thats what im booked on

Electrical Part P - Defined Scope BPEC (Level 3) - Brookhouse Gas Training Centre

waste of money,what about 17th edition you need that too.

 

[bob the plumber]

waste of money,what about 17th edition you need that too.

whys that a waste of money? its exactly what you need without having to fully train as an electrician?

 

[Barry98]

am doing it to improve my knowledge of electrics and further my own devolpment . i dont know everything and dont claim to. i would do the 17th edition if i wanted to be a sparky then again if i wanted to be a sparky i would of sat at the back of the class picking my nose with the rest of them

 

[bob the plumber]

i did the the part p defined for the same reason bod, my idea of testing a live used to be just touching the cable i do what i need to do know, if its messy and im not sure then ill get the fully qualified guys in to sort it like most engineers out there

 

[desrob]

am doing it to improve my knowledge of electrics and further my own devolpment . i dont know everything and dont claim to. i would do the 17th edition if i wanted to be a sparky then again if i wanted to be a sparky i would of sat at the back of the class picking my nose with the rest of them

you have to do 17th edition period,your part p defined full scope means nothing.

 

[Barry98]

it means to me i have abetter understanding of electrics then what i did before i went in and ill learn

• Applicable Building Regulations
• Electrical safety legislation, regulations, standards and terminology
• Enabling you to alter and install electrical circuits in association with your primary task of work.
• Over-view of BS7671:2008 IEE Wiring regulations (17th Ed.) and on-site guide.
• Installation of, and alteration of domestic wiring circuits, i.e. sockets, lighting, heating and earthing arrangements.
• Safe isolation procedures
• Electrical test procedures
• Cable and component selection
• Installation and replacement of electrical components
• Identifying unsafe electrical situations
• Building notification forms
• Special locations
• New circuit requirements
• Completion of Electrical Installation Certificate
• Completion of Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate

[h=3]Qualifications achieved:[/h]Electrics Defined Scope Level 3 Part P B Scope Certificate (BPEC)

 

[tamz]

How much is it costing Bod. I've been thinking of doing it as i am paying a spark for minor works certs and last months was £900 (i just wrote his cheque out!)

 

[Barry98]

£600 and same as you mine was stupid a month , when he turned up.

 

[Barry98]

the £600 is just course , i havent looked much into other fees etc further down line, but i see it as once i register etc i know i am reliable enough and will be on site anyway lol .

 

[Barry98]

[SUB]again im lucky enough that the same matre who got me my multi meter just gave me this. just needs calibrating for if i do the pat p course. which is a posibilty am considering as i have a few commercial places where i do gas works so might be able to get some pat p work while were there [/SUB]

 

[tamz]

Same carry on as you with him turning up on time. Half the time i've got it wired and he just beeps it and fks off. I might look into it more. Cheers mate.

 

[dancinplumba]

and then you have to register with a competent persons scheme like napit and be inspected once a year, and buy a multifunction tester etc etc, gets expensive but gotta do it before july cos requirements change

 

[Barry98]

no worries

 

[tamz]

and then you have to register with a competent persons scheme like napit and be inspected once a year, and buy a multifunction tester etc etc, gets expensive but gotta do it before july cos requirements change

That is true but it will be cheaper than 10 grand or so a year for me anyway.

 

[dancinplumba]

agree tamz it will indeed..