For nearly five years, Part P of the Building Regulations has been in force for all personnel carrying out electrical work in homes and gardens in England and Wales. The issue of an Electrical Installation Certificate that complies with Building Regulation requirements, to self-certify own work was introduced to reduce the 2, 200 deaths, injuries and fires caused by faulty electrical installations in the UK every year, and to make it harder for 'cowboy builders' to leave electrical installations in an unsafe condition.However, there is still confusion today on what electrical work can be safely and legally carried out if you are not registered for Part P. Although Part P was designed to enforce standards and increase safety, often lack of understanding or clarity has meant merely insisting that an electrician is part of a competent persons scheme. This is not true and you do need to notify before you begin work on an installation.Part P applies to all fixed electrical installations after the suppliers' meter in buildings or parts of buildings comprising: