1. New Requirements for Protected Escape Routes (Regulation 422.2.1)
Amendment 2 introduces specific, stringent limitations on what electrical equipment can be installed in a Protected Escape Route (such as a stairwell, lobby, or corridor designed for evacuation) in the event of a fire. The goal is to prevent electrical failure or fire from blocking the route.
Cables and equipment are now prohibited in these routes unless they are part of:
An essential fire safety or related safety system (e.g., fire alarm, emergency lighting, fire-fighting lift supply).
General needs lighting (if necessary).
Socket-outlets provided solely for cleaning or maintenance.
Crucially, standard distribution boards, unnecessary cabling, or non-essential equipment must be located outside these areas.
Electrical installation books PDF UK
2. Documentation and Certification Changes
The regulations now place a heavy emphasis on formal, traceable documentation, especially regarding safety decisions:
Fire Safety Design (Part 1, Regulation 132.5.4): There is a new requirement to formally record the identity of the person responsible for the fire safety design of the building structure and for the electrical installation. This ensures a clear chain of responsibility for safety systems.
SPD Omission Record: As seen in Variation 2, the decision to omit an SPD in non-mandatory situations must be a documented declaration signed by the owner, accepting the risk. This transfers accountability from the installer to the client.
RCD Omission Record: The option to omit RCDs for certain socket-outlets in non-domestic locations (where the risk assessment justifies it) now requires a similarly documented risk assessment to be carried out and attached to the Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC).
3. New Appendix and Warning Notices (Appendix 11)
Amendment 2 introduced a new Appendix 11, providing guidance on the required safety signs, warning notices, and instructions that must be present on or near the consumer unit and distribution boards. This ensures that users and maintenance personnel are immediately aware of the installation’s protective features (like the presence of SPDs or multiple supply sources in a PEI) and potential hazards.
Conclusion
This variation highlights the shift toward formalized accountability in the design process. By mandating stricter limits on electrical equipment within protected escape routes to preserve fire safety, and by requiring clear, documented declarations for key design decisions (like omitting SPDs or RCDs), Amendment 2 ensures that safety rationale is transparent, traceable, and formally agreed upon by the relevant responsible parties.
