Regulation of electricians in Scotland: research report

Appendix 3: Scottish Building Regulations

The requirements of Building Warrant system are based on the Scottish Building Standard regulations. The types of electrical work requiring a building warrant in the domestic sector (dwellings) in Scotland are listed in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 Regulation 5, Schedule 3. The regulation distinguishes between types of domestic buildings (e.g. flat or house) and stipulates specific requirements for houses of more than three storeys. As such, the building warrant system is not based on types of electrical work and there are certain exemptions to the building warrant requirement^[41]. It is the legal responsibility of the building owner to apply for a building warrant.

For instance, in the case of electrical installations such as "Rewiring", "Wiring to artificial lighting" or "Electrical work associated with new boiler (large)", a building warrant is required for flats and buildings over three storeys, while houses up to two storeys are exempt. By contrast, a building warrant is required for "Electrical work adversely affecting a separating wall, e.g. recessed sockets" all three types of domestic buildings, while no building warrant is required for "Electrical fixtures, e.g. luminaries". If a building warrant is required, the electrical work has to be certified as compliant with the standards for electrical installation in the UK outlined in BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations).

Under the Building Standards system in Scotland, Approved Certifiers of Construction are recommended for electrical, drainage, heating or plumbing installations as they can self-certify that their work meets the Building Regulations. This means the electrical work requiring a building warrant can be carried out without further scrutiny from local authority building standards verifiers. To be on this list, individuals must work for an Approved Body which is a member of such a scheme^[42].

In comparison, all electrical work in each type of dwelling in England and Wales must be in compliance with the requirements of "Part P: Electrical Safety – Dwellings" of the Building Regulations^[43]. Since 2013, all electrical work involving the installation of new circuits or alterations to existing circuits at low voltage (230V), the installation of fuseboxes and consumer units as well as electrical work involving "special locations" such as bathrooms has to be reported to a building control body^[44]. As such, the electrical installation will have to be certified as compliant with the standards for electrical installation in the UK outlined in BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations). The homeowner or landlord are legally required to produce related evidence.