NAPIT’s Chief Technical Officer, Frank Bertie, outlines the Draft for Public Comment for BS 7671:2018(2022) the 18th Edition Amendment 2, which is now out for viewing and public comment.
For those who have been involved within the electrical industry for the last several years or decades, you will be familiar with the process for revisions of BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations.
If you are new to this process or need a brush up on what the steps are for reviewing the changes and providing comments, this article will take you through the steps, as well as outlining what happens to the comments after submission.
Background to the creation of Amendment 2
Since the release of BS 7671:2018 the committee JPEL/64 have been reviewing and commenting on International (IEC) and European (CENELEC) proposed and harmonised standards. Where either IEC or CENELEC have introduced new or updated Harmonised Documents (HD), JPEL/64 are required under this process to align BS 7671 with the technical intent of these HD’s.
The review of BS 7671 is then undertaken to change, update, remove or introduce new Regulations to meet the updated HD’s. Therefore, since 2018 the committee have been working on the review and the creation of an updated draft revision to enable the industry stakeholders to view this Draft for Public Comment (DPC) of the proposed changes to BS 7671:2018(2020).
Where to find the DPC
The British Standards Institute (BSI) are joint owners of the Electrical Regulations Standard BS 7671 and are responsible for the delivery of this standard and the process for making it available for the electrical industry to allow comments prior to the release of any new amendment or edition of BS 7671.
BSI host the Draft for Public Comment on a website dedicated to the review of a wide range of British Standards. The site for the DPC will require a one-time log in to the site. For those who have previously registered with BSI for commenting on British Standards, you can use the same log in details.
How to review and make comments
The DPC website will allow you to view each of the Regulations that are part of the proposed Amendment 2, and within that area you will be able to submit your comment on the Regulation as either a general, technical or editorial comment.
With each comment you have to provide a proposal to the existing wording. If you do not provide a proposal, the comment will not be regarded as a valid public comment.
What are the timescales for commenting on the DPC?
The DPC opened on the 21st September and closes on the 11th December 2020; The proposed date for the introduction of the new amendment is March 2022.
BS 7671 Amendment 2 Release Date
Comments from the DPC are reviewed, considered and revised, and those appropriate are selected for inclusion within the issued version of Amendment 2:2022 to BS 7671:2018.
The Requirements for Electrical Installations is proposed to be issued on 28th March 2022 and with every new edition or amendment they can be used for electrical installations immediately after this date.
The intention for BS 7671:2018(2022) for Electrical installations, which are designed, constructed and inspected and tested, and which are started after the 28th March 2023, will be required to meet the requirements of BS 7671:2018 incorporating Amendment 2:2022.
Changes being introduced under Amendment 2
There are many changes being proposed under the DPC, some are minor changes with others being significant, such as a new Part 8 for Chapter 82 Prosumers Low Voltage electrical installations.
There are proposals for the removal of the RCD risk assessment used in non-dwelling installations and new requirements for mandatory installation of AFDDs.
Chapter 42 has been rewritten to take account of fire engineering guidance and a new Appendix 13 has been produced to help electricians understand fire engineering terms, escape routes and fire protection.
Chapter 44 regarding the transient overvoltages has been revised on the bullet points where the protection is required.
Changes within Part 6 regarding the insulation resistance where circuits are vulnerable to damage but ensuring the cables are subject to full testing.
Throughout Part 7 there are several changes to the sections although the majority are minor changes.
The model forms in Appendix 6 have major changes which will reduce the amount of form filling.
Conclusion
It is important as part of the industry to be involved in the commenting of the Draft for Public Comment of BS 7671:2018(2022) to ensure your views on the changes in the latest Amendment to the Wiring Regulations are heard.
NAPIT held two webinars on the proposed changes to the DPC. Changes were covered in depth by the JPEL committee members Frank Bertie, Paul Chaffers and Richard Townsend. NAPIT members can access these webinar recordings via the NAPIT members area.
