As far as I understand it, the main purpose of the Building Regs and the electrically related British Standards is to increase structural and electrical safety. In the case of a bathroom fan, how does it help to put a 'local switch' for the fan in another room, potentially weakening the fabric of the wall and complicating the switching arangement. My first reaction to this topic was that it would be easier and safer for everyone to leave the switch function for the fan to the breaker box alone?
But then I got round to chapter 34 of the regs, the topic of maintainability and the issue of mechanical safety.
341.1 An assessment shall be made of the frequency and quality of maintenance the installation can reasonably be expected to receive during its intended life. The person or body responsible for the operation and/or maintenance of the installation shall be consulted. Those characteristics are to be taken into account in applying the requirements of Parts 4 to 7 so that, having regard to the quality of the maintenance expected:
It may be interpreted that the designer of an electrical system would be obliged to consult with the client to find out if the extra local switch is required and whether the client wants articial light to assist in jobs such as cleaning.
There's the case of the guy at college who's getting through the course supported by his cleaning job. His case may differ from say the average home owner doing maintenance.
Before I got into electrics properly, if I were a job like changing a light fitting, I wouldn't tend to trust the local switch but would switch off at the breaker. This worked for me as it was my house and could do what I wanted.
But what of my mate the cleaner. I don't think that he's bought a lock off device yet. There's no way he could ensure that the fan would not have spun, keys for safety measures not being in his control.
However, wanting to do a thorough job of the polishing he might require the clear visiblity of his work area as he buffed the appliance to a high shine.
Then, if his boss might return, stumble in the dark to the breaker box and reconcect the circuit while my college mate was getting stuck in.
Appologies for this AC complication.
Cleaning with water could still require the installation of a three pole switch for fan with a time delay function and, even if a fan were IP rated to make it impossible for maintenance types to get electricuted, the installation of a one way switch might cause confusion if other maintanence functions were undertaken.
I know this thread was intended to clear up this topic. It may be down to our Jack of all friend to add a extra touch.
(not having seen previous posts I don't know if this issue hasn't already been tackled).
