Socket height regulation in old home

Emma Pais · Jun 22, 2018

Hello
I am hoping to find a definitive answer to this as heard.
Socket height regulation of 450mm is for new builds only not for old houses. What about renovating old houses for example a basement renovation but in an Edwardian home? What would pass building regs?
Many thanks

Strima · Jun 22, 2018

The rule is for new builds only, renovations do not apply. However the sockets need to be placed at a height that doesn't cause damage to the flex on the plug top, such as older installations where the socket outlets were mounted on skirting boards.

Basically stick them where you want but apply a bit of common sense.

buzzlightyear · Jun 22, 2018

Strima said:
older installations where the socket outlets were mounted on skirting boards.

and depends how high the skirting boards are .

Strima · Jun 22, 2018

buzzlightyear said:
and depends how high the skirting boards are .

Very true mate. In Yorkshire we had no money so only had 3 inch boards, in Bath with loads of cash 8 inch boards were common...

Leesparkykent · Jun 22, 2018

Approved document M says for work on an existing building that did not comply with the applicable requirements of the building regulations the building must not be no more unsatisfactory in relation to the requirements than before the work was carried out.

Emma Pais · Jun 23, 2018

Thanks all! Common sense not applied in our basement (all socksts ridicously high ) and was told it was regulation. Wanted to be sure when passing on advise to clients as I am an.interior designer. Thanks again!

[ElectriciansForums.net] Socket height regulation in old home

telectrix · Jun 23, 2018

Emma Pais said:
Thanks all! Common sense not applied in our basement (all socksts ridicously high ) and was told it was regulation. Wanted to be sure when passing on advise to clients as I am an.interior designer. Thanks again!

View attachment 42920

you might think they are ridiculously high now, but when you get old and decrepit, like me, with a bad back, you'll appreciate not having to bend double to insert a plug.

.

littlespark · Jun 23, 2018

New homes are a pain.

Sockets are higher, light switches are lower and around a dozen smoke detectors in every room!
And who's bright idea was thermal insulation? That stuff just throws my cable calculations out the window.... and it itches!

You can get round the sockets on skirting boards causing stress to the flex by mounting them upside down.

Disclaimer;- Saturday morning irony

Wilko · Jun 23, 2018

Very nice room, that outlet can be relocated with a bit of work. Usually see ones that are a bit too low. Pic is for illustration purposes, not my work

.

Strima · Jun 23, 2018

Wilko said:
Very nice room, that outlet can be relocated with a bit of work. Usually see ones that are a bit too low. Pic is for illustration purposes, not my work .

View attachment 42921

Way too tidy. If that was me there'd be cracks halfway up the wall where the plaster had popped and only the paint is holding it in place.

telectrix · Jun 23, 2018

being able to cut a box in without it looking like a builder/plumber had done it, is an artform on it's own.

johnduffell · Jun 23, 2018

Stubble distinction and didn'td affect the op but technically it's not just new builds that part m it applies to, but new dwellings of any kind. So that would include any kind of conversion from barn, shop, warehouse, pub, etc.
Al new accessories in an extension can be matched with existing heights.
We have one light switch in our 4 bed house that's at 1200, all the rest are arm pit height. I believe the door hinge was reversed at some point.

suffolkspark · Jun 23, 2018

Id be more annoyed at the fact the socket is wonkey never mind the height!

Tony Reidy · May 23, 2019

Emma Pais said:
Hello
I am hoping to find a definitive answer to this as heard.
Socket height regulation of 450mm is for new builds only not for old houses. What about renovating old houses for example a basement renovation but in an Edwardian home? What would pass building regs?
Many thanks

It's still not a new build but it's not a bad idea to bring it up to latest regs

telectrix · May 23, 2019

fitting sockets @ 450mm is a good idea. light switches @ 1200mm is bad as children can reach them. then again, children pre-teens should be kept in a cage. once 13, then sheds are useful.

FatAlan · May 23, 2019

Just renovated my house and put the sockets where I wanted. Biggest problem was getting them level with each other when first fixing the back boxes into bare sand stone.

Zerax · May 23, 2019

Strima said:
Very true mate. In Yorkshire we had no money so only had 3 inch boards, in Bath with loads of cash 8 inch boards were common...

Mine are only 2 ½"...

telectrix · May 23, 2019

Zerax said:
Mine are only 2 ½"...

is that your skirting boards, or yoyr childen

45140 · Jun 17, 2019

Given that the great majority of items requiring to be plugged into a socket are generally used higher up that the floor - computers, radios, TVs, stereo sets, Satellite, electric clock radios, etc. I think it would make more sense to set an "optimum" level for sockets, say 1000mm or thereabouts. Low sockets as someone has already pointed out are difficult for not only the elderly but also anyone with a mobility issue - I for example recently tore all the ligaments in one knee and you would not imagine what an impact that has for reaching down and bending over even now some three months afterwards.

Higher level sockets would also remove the problems with small children poking things in.

Assuming also that the cables are run in the ceiling void there would also financial savings to be gained as well as associated environmental benefits.

Just me or do others agree ?

Pete999 · Jun 17, 2019

45140 said:
Given that the great majority of items requiring to be plugged into a socket are generally used higher up that the floor - computers, radios, TVs, stereo sets, Satellite, electric clock radios, etc. I think it would make more sense to set an "optimum" level for sockets, say 1000mm or thereabouts. Low sockets as someone has already pointed out are difficult for not only the elderly but also anyone with a mobility issue - I for example recently tore all the ligaments in one knee and you would not imagine what an impact that has for reaching down and bending over even now some three months afterwards.

Higher level sockets would also remove the problems with small children poking things in.

Assuming also that the cables are run in the ceiling void there would also financial savings to be gained as well as associated environmental benefits.

Just me or do others agree ?

What Voltages do you work with in your job 45140

Gavin John Hyde · Jun 17, 2019

Strima said:
Very true mate. In Yorkshire we had no money so only had 3 inch boards, in Bath with loads of cash 8 inch boards were common...

I recently fitted some sockets in the actual skirting board with the backbox recessed in the wall behind, made good use of the multi tool, feeding cables down behind skirting board to cavity under floor. the skirting was 25cm high, was in a grade 1 listed property. deepest skirting board was just over a foot deep going up stairs and landings, that was on in a old private school building that was being converted to flats.

Marcus Vaughan · Jun 17, 2019

Wilko said:
Very nice room, that outlet can be relocated with a bit of work. Usually see ones that are a bit too low. Pic is for illustration purposes, not my work .

View attachment 42921

That’s impressive.

Midwest · Jun 17, 2019

45140 · Jun 17, 2019

Pete999 said:
What Voltages do you work with in your job 45140

25kV, 600/400 volt AC, 650-750V DC. Is that relevant ?

Pete999 · Jun 17, 2019

45140 said:
25kV, 600/400 volt AC, 650-750V DC. Is that relevant ?

No just interested as I was involved in HV work at one time, as an AP HV and AP LV. Thanks. No other reason, didn't mean to be nosy.

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