Wire in the in-built wardrobe's wall vs regulation

Pawel J · Jan 29, 2019

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and have no electrical experience but would like to pick up some knowledge on the following issue.
I've had an in-built wardrobe in one of the bedrooms in my house which needed removing. Upon tearing down the walls I found out that majority of the electrical cables ran in the wall of the wardrobe (it's not even a room wall) - photos attached. The cables go into the attic and then to all the rooms in the house. The room itself is right under the stairs.
This is a new build property and I wanted to ask if such a cable arrangement is complying with the regulations? As I can't think of a worse location for laying the cables in the walls. I just want to know if this was laziness on the part of the developer but legally OK or I can report it and have the cables relaid properly.
Any help will be much appreciated.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Wire in the in-built wardrobe's wall vs regulation

Jamie' · Jan 29, 2019

Nothing wrong with it, just inconvienent for you now.

Deleted member 26818 · Jan 29, 2019

Were the cables visible from inside the cupboard?
If not, then the route did not comply.

Rpa07 · Jan 29, 2019

What’s your intention for the cupboard - it’s not like it has a floor or anything!
It’s technically the airing cupboard but without the immersion of old. Lots of people put a tubular heater in there and store towels etc.

Pawel J · Jan 29, 2019

spinlondon said:
Were the cables visible from inside the cupboard?
If not, then the route did not comply.

The cables weren't visible from the inside. The wardrobe had plasterboard on the inside and on the outside.

Pawel J · Jan 29, 2019

spinlondon said:
Were the cables visible from inside the cupboard?
If not, then the route did not comply.

The cupboard took up 1/4 of the room. I wanted to put up some plain shelves on the wall where the doors are and then cover the most of the slant with the DIY bed frame that would go along the wall.

Deleted member 26818 · Jan 29, 2019

Sorry, I may have jumped the gun there.
There are a number of requirements for concealing cables in walls.
One is that they are at a depth greater than 50mm.
Another is that if they are at a depth less than 50mm, they should be run in a prescribed route and be protected by an RCD.
What is the width of those lengths of timber, and what is the distance of the holes from the edge of the timber?

Pawel J · Jan 29, 2019

spinlondon said:
Sorry, I may have jumped the gun there.
There are a number of requirements for concealing cables in walls.
One is that they are at a depth greater than 50mm.
Another is that if they are at a depth less than 50mm, they should be run in a prescribed route and be protected by an RCD.
What is the width of those lengths of timber, and what is the distance of the holes from the edge of the timber?

The width of the timber is ~95mm. On top of that, there was a 12mm or 15mm plasterboard, either side of the frame. However, that lower beam was drilled at a really funny angle, certainly not in the middle.

MJPD29 · Jan 29, 2019

Nothing wrong with it

Wilko · Jan 29, 2019

Hi - it doesn't look like they've been run in the zones for cables but the pic suggests the added framing and plasterboard may achieve the >50mm depth exemption. If so, it probably complies.

Deleted member 26818 · Jan 30, 2019

Looks like greater than 50mm on the outside of the cupboard, but less than 50mm on the inside.
I would say it didn’t comply.

telectrix · Jan 30, 2019

even if >50mm deep, cables should still be run in prescribed zones. those cable don't.

littlespark · Jan 30, 2019

I would think the cupboard walls are made the same as any partition wall in the property regarding width.
I don’t think they are in the wrong place, and it’s going to be a pain having them moved now

HappyHippyDad · Jan 30, 2019

I cant see how it can possibly comply? They are clearly not in a correct zone. Its tempting to say 'why have they done it like this!', perhaps there is a reason but I expect it would have been easy enough to run then within 150mm of the wall, so I'm not sure why they didn't.

telectrix · Jan 30, 2019

it's a newbuild. what do you expect? bet that's not the only bodged job.

telectrix · Jan 30, 2019

Pawel J said:
The width of the timber is ~95mm. On top of that, there was a 12mm or 15mm plasterboard, either side of the frame. However, that lower beam was drilled at a really funny angle, certainly not in the middle.

View attachment 47484

View attachment 47485

looking at that pic. those holes must have been done by a plumber who failed to go to specsavers.

Wilko · Jan 30, 2019

telectrix said:
even if >50mm deep, cables should still be run in prescribed zones. those cable don't.

Hi - completely agree that cables should be located in the zones and for some reason this Installer seems to have gone out of their way to not use them - plenty of corners for them to've picked from.

Reading 522.6.202 opening sentence gives the zone exemption if >50mm they may be relying on (?).

streamer · Jan 30, 2019

They should have just fitted an extra socket in the partition in line with cables, then they would comply!

The Ghost · Jan 30, 2019

You may be able to argue successfully that the cables should be re-installed properly. If successful you have the problem they will send the same ~~idiots~~ operatives who put them in to "correct" it.

Pete999 · Jan 30, 2019

Pawel J said:
The width of the timber is ~95mm. On top of that, there was a 12mm or 15mm plasterboard, either side of the frame. However, that lower beam was drilled at a really funny angle, certainly not in the middle.

View attachment 47484

View attachment 47485

Nice Tape Stanley is it?

Fitzy · Jan 30, 2019

They probably wasn’t expecting the home owner to come along and demolish that storage cupboard. In most new builds you can’t decorate or make alterations within the first 12 months or so.

ruston · Jan 30, 2019

@Fitzy. Is that so they can do the snagging lol.

pirate · Jan 30, 2019

I'm only saying it once more...
New-builds!
No!

Sadly, I expect I have lied...

Fitzy · Feb 1, 2019

ruston said:
@Fitzy. Is that so they can do the snagging lol.

Yes, usually. Everyone I know who’ve moved in to a brand new home, haven’t been able to decorate for at least 12 months and not been allowed to hang anything on the walls with nails etc for the first 3-6 months. So I guess knocking down a built in cupboard might fall under those terms as well.

MFS Electrical · Feb 1, 2019

Rpa07 said:
What’s your intention for the cupboard - it’s not like it has a floor or anything!
It’s technically the airing cupboard but without the immersion of old. Lots of people put a tubular heater in there and store towels etc.

I've never thought of recommending a tube heater in there

good shout

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The Ghost

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