Accessibility of consumers unit.

[Iona222]

This board you can access the mcb and switch ok, but they've put wood all around the outer cover.

So if you need too work on the board its difficult. You need to take a jigsaw apart if you get the meaning.

Whats your view on this, would you say it doesn't comply. Or it does because you can access the switch and mcb.

 

[Mike Johnson]

I think all you can do is C3 on 5.1.

 

[Dartlec]

I'm assuming the wood surround was put on after the board, not by the same installer?

If the main switch can be accessed for isolation, MCBs can be accessed for resetting, RCD for testing etc, then it is safe for usage by the occupier (assuming it's a domestic board?). If it's for an EICR then it becomes an operational limitation if the client isn't willing for the wood to be removed to get proper access...

Either way It really should be checked properly (cover off board) occasionally for secureness of terminals etc, but if it can be removed to do that then I guess it's not the worst installation I've seen.

If it's a plastic CU then not ideal to have it surrounded in a flammable material, so that should probably at least be explained to them and a C3 on an EICR at least. Not much you can do otherwise though.

One day I'll work on a CU that's in an easily accessible place that doesn't give my back, neck or knees gyp...

One day......

 

[Iona222]

I'm assuming the wood surround was put on after the board, not by the same installer?

If the main switch can be accessed for isolation, MCBs can be accessed for resetting, RCD for testing etc, then it is safe for usage by the occupier (assuming it's a domestic board?). If it's for an EICR then it becomes an operational limitation if the client isn't willing for the wood to be removed to get proper access...

Either way It really should be checked properly (cover off board) occasionally for secureness of terminals etc, but if it can be removed to do that then I guess it's not the worst installation I've seen.

If it's a plastic CU then not ideal to have it surrounded in a flammable material, so that should probably at least be explained to them and a C3 on an EICR at least. Not much you can do otherwise though.

One day I'll work on a CU that's in an easily accessible place that doesn't give my back, neck or knees gyp...

One day......

Thanks for the reply mate, I agree with all that.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I can never understand the builders logic of boxing in a consumer unit to the point where you can never get the lid off...
I bet if a wet pants found is boiler all boxed in , they would smash the boxing off to be able to get to the boiler lid fixings

 

[timhoward]

Worst ones seem to be where under stairs is rearranged to build a tiny loo, and CU is moved to the tiny remains of the under stairs space leaving you a 2ft square hole to access everything via.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Why would you need any mores space that a 2ft square, as long as you can reach the MCB or RCD with a ski pole what's the problem. ⛷

 

[loz2754]

Why would you need any mores space that a 2ft square, as long as you can reach the MCB or RCD with a ski pole what's the problem. ⛷

I don't possess a ski pole?

 

[Mike Johnson]

I bet you have a snooker cue.

 

[telectrix]

I bet you have a snooker cue.

he does, but he uses it to play with his balls.

 

[loz2754]

I went to the doctor about it....
He told me to shut up and get to the end of the cue!

 

[timhoward]

I went to the doctor about it....
He told me to shut up and get to the end of the cue!

It's funny what the human mind suddenly recalls. I see you're from Coventry and I grew up there.
A rather long time ago I had a fishing rod confiscated by a policeman in Broadgate at 1am. I'd found it under a bench at the Dog and Trumpet....I remember trying to explain while inebriated that I only wanted to get to Pool Meadow to catch a bus, and he took great delight in telling me the last bus had gone hours ago and I'd never catch a bus with a fishing rod...