Accessible or inaccessible?

[Les Macaulay]

Is a joint box below a wooden floor with a fitted carpet classed as accessible or inaccessible?

 

[Octopus]

There is no doubt about your example INACCESSIBLE

 

[Les Macaulay]

Thanks, Murdoch. So this practice of siting joint boxes below wooden floors is not in compliance with the Regs?

 

[snowhead]

Even if you knew exactly where it was, it still wouldn't be accessible.

Is it a Maintenance Free joint box or pre-existing screwed?

 

[Octopus]

Thanks, Murdoch. So this practice of siting joint boxes below wooden floors is not in compliance with the Regs?

Why the question?

For me a socket behind a washing machine is inaccessible ..... But the issue is that BS 7671 does not have a definition for inaccessible ...

 

[Les Macaulay]

I was thinking of a pre-existing screwed type. It was common practice at one time to use Ashley screw down terminal joint boxes sited below floors. Do I take it that this practice does not comply?

 

[Les Macaulay]

The reason I ask is that my next door neighbour has a lighting fault whereby the line to the one-way switch is "dead". The house has fitted carpet. To find the break, it would mean lifting the carpet! This made me think of all the jobs I've done and seen done whereby joint boxes are below a marked hatch in the wooden floor which is subsequently carpeted or covered with composition flooring. An installation that starts off having joints accessible could become inaccessible by the home owner.

 

[ferg]

In a corner under a hatch.

No trickier than moving all the carp in a cupboard or attic.

Under t&g flooring nailgunned down is inaccessible.

It's one of those ask 10 sparks get 10 different answers questions.

 

[Wilko]

Hi - probably we've all tackled a fault from a long lost jb hidden away somewhere. These days if I must use a jb, it's going to be MF and hopefully they will live up to their name

 

[Octopus]

In a corner under a hatch.

Which then gets carpeted over, with a large unit covering the lot.

Inaccessible

 

[ferg]

Are you incapable of moving furniture? Is lifting a carpet beyond you?



Joking aside it really does depend on where the hatch is.
Also I don't think pita to get at is the same as inaccessible.

On a personal note I only ever use MF anyway.

 

[mickfred]

If it's under the floor MF only . Hatch's marked floors no difference just MF it ,only tight gets
think about screw joint boxes

 

[Les Macaulay]

OK thanks, guys, MF in all future jobs!

 

[Risteard]

There is no doubt about your example INACCESSIBLE

I don't agree that there isn't doubt. Many would credibly argue that it's accessible and there is no requirement to have a welcome mat over it. Ultimately it's a matter of opinion and these will vary. I would opt for a maintenance-free joint simply to avoid these types of arguments.

 

[Octopus]

I don't agree that there isn't doubt. Many would credibly argue that it's accessible and there is no requirement to have a welcome mat over it. Ultimately it's a matter of opinion and these will vary. I would opt for a maintenance-free joint simply to avoid these types of arguments.

I disagree, as described is inaccessible.

And the fault for the ambiguity can be laid at the feet of the muppets that write the regs. ......