Approved Document P: Electrical safety
England-focused reference checklist
Editorial source review: 2026-10-17
https://saeedazarshab.com/articles/england-building-regulations/approved-document-p/

INDEPENDENT GUIDANCE — not project-specific legal/design advice or a compliance certificate. Check the official current requirements and applicable transition.

Part P addresses electrical safety in dwellings. The installation needs suitable design, installation, inspection and testing, with the correct notification route for the work. Not every task has the same notification requirements. The published guidance is not permission to reproduce proprietary wiring standards or a substitute for competent electrical work.

WHAT TO CHECK
[ ] Identify the work and whether it is within Part P’s scope.
[ ] Confirm the applicable notification or competent-person route before work begins.
[ ] Use appropriately competent electrical design, installation and testing.
[ ] Coordinate the electrical work with fire stopping, services and the building layout.
[ ] Keep the required certification and notification records for the completed work.

RECORDS TO KEEP
- Defined scope and relevant design information
- Electrical inspection/test and certification records
- Applicable notification and completion information

WHEN TO GET SPECIALIST HELP
Use a competent electrician and ask the relevant scheme or building-control body about uncertain notification requirements. This library does not provide live electrical-work instructions.

SCOPE AND EDITION
Landing published 1 January 2013; confirm applicable requirements and notification route for the particular work. Not all electrical work has the same notification route. Do not reproduce proprietary wiring standards or offer unsafe DIY design instructions.

OFFICIAL SOURCES
GOV.UK — Approved Document P
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-approved-document-p

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated. Original practical summary by Saeed Azarshab.
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/