Who is affected by the new BNO design standard?
The people with responsibility for multi-tenant properties who are affected by the BNO process are largely unaware of the problems that may arise as a result of this change. This presents freeholders, estate managers and landlords with additional responsibilities, risks and costs to take into consideration.
The Building Network Operator or BNO design standard applies to all newly built multi occupancy properties. This means that housebuilders, electrical contractors, developers and property managers of such premises are having to familiarise themselves with this change in legislation with regard to their electrical installations.
In simple terms, the introduction of the BNO design standard means that there is now an area of responsibility between the main electrical intake point and the customers’ electrical installation. This section of the installation now becomes the responsibility of the Building Network Operator – who maybe the electrical contractor, developer or landlord; the IDNO or unlicensed electricity distributor.
The Building Network Operator is effectively the party that owns or operates the electricity distribution network within a multi-occupancy building between the intake position and the customer’s installation.
The impact of not complying with the new standard can have repercussions in both the short and longer term. Scenarios where an installation does not meet the BNO standard may result in the MOp (Meter Operator) refusing to install the meter. This could delay the power on date, leading to project disruption and the risk of financial penalties for late delivery. Future developments may require costly enhancements that could have been easily built into the initial BNO Network installation stage.
Are you affected by the BNO process? You could well be if you are one of the following:
As this places additional responsibilities on you with regard to the internal electrical installations within multi-tenant premises.
Commercial Landlords & Property Managers –
If you have multi-occupied properties in your portfolio, you will now be responsible for the BNO Network. Part of this new regulation requires the network to be subject to ongoing maintenance and annual inspections. ECS can provide this service, taking the burden away from you, giving you peace of mind with your installation into the future.
Electrical contractors –
Take advantage of the freedom that BNO process offers in terms of design and installation layout. You are no longer tied to the UKPN standard configuration. To ensure you are meeting the BNO standard – we can provide design, advice or end to end project management of the installation or upgrade of your work on multi-occupancy premises.
Property Developers & House Builders –
Get rid of the headache of working out what you need to do when building, renovating or refurbishing flats and apartments. Let us help you through this new process to ensure an industry compliant as well as future proof design.
ECS are BNO Network specialists, qualified to advise, guide and manage BNO network installations. We ensure that the project delivers best value to the freeholder, maximising flexibility of current and future building configurations.
What can you do? BNO Services for all Building Network Operators
For people finding themselves affected by the new BNO design standard – especially those with direct BNO responsibility, such as developers, electrical contractors and landlords – there are opportunities to consider as a result of the BNO process. We can help you take advantage of these to offer greater flexibility of design & a future proof installation. Benefits include flexible location of consumer units and installation layout.
Contact us to find out how you can maximise the opportunity that BNO creates, and avoid the pitfalls of the BNO standard.
email hello@bno.co.uk or call us on 01905 677 868 for simple BNO network advice and support. Guaranteed compliance and hassle free designs to support your development’s future.
