Building Regulations breached?

[Midwest]

Whilst it is a poor design choice the DP MCB in the top meter box will provide adequate protection.
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In theory yes there is space, but in reality the equipment in the top box would have been fitted before the meter was installed and the meter fitters would likely have created a fuss if it had been installed in the bottom box.

It is a poor design, seems almost like an after thought, or the designer was unaware of DNO requirements.

 

[adriana]

Whilst it is a poor design choice the DP MCB in the top meter box will provide adequate protection.
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In theory yes there is space, but in reality the equipment in the top box would have been fitted before the meter was installed and the meter fitters would likely have created a fuss if it had been installed in the bottom box.

The other Houses within the same development have only one meter box, but it is located to the front elevation, much closer to the consumer unit.

 

[Midwest]

The other Houses within the same development have only one meter box, but it is located to the front elevation, much closer to the consumer unit.

Someone dropped a clanger then, and placed the electrical supply cable in the wrong place!

Have you made contact with NHBC? Just because the 2 year developers warranty has passed, doesn’t negate them from responsibility for poor workman ship.
I would consider getting some legal advice at this late stage; did you buy this house from new, or are you a subsequent owner?

 

[adriana]

Someone dropped a clanger then, and placed the electrical supply cable in the wrong place!

Have you made contact with NHBC? Just because the 2 year developers warranty has passed, doesn’t negate them from responsibility for poor workman ship.
I would consider getting some legal advice at this late stage; did you buy this house from new, or are you a subsequent owner?

I purchased the House from new.

 

[PEG]

They are on for a 30%+ fall in profits,come January....maybe they started cutting costs way before....
Not much joy in saying that,going off pictures and experience,you will be stuck with the current arrangement,unless rectified at your own expense.

 

[adriana]

They are on for a 30%+ fall in profits,come January....maybe they started cutting costs way before....
Not much joy in saying that,going off pictures and experience,you will be stuck with the current arrangement,unless rectified at your own expense.

Bearing in mind that there is no lintel supporting the 2nd Box and DPC missing, is there any danger on leaving the things as it is? Ther is also no insulation at all that part of the wall and that wall is backing my downstairs toilet, is really freezing in there during winter time.

 

[Midwest]

Bearing in mind that there is no lintel supporting the 2nd Box and DPC missing, is there any danger on leaving the things as it is? Ther is also no insulation at all that part of the wall and that wall is backing my downstairs toilet, is really freezing in there during winter time.

I’d suggest following my advice in #18, that’s what I would be doing if I discovered missing cavity wall insulation.

The other issues could be considered latent defects as well.
Consult a solicitor, you could start with your conveyancing solicitor.

 

[adriana]

I’d suggest following my advice in #18, that’s what I would be doing if I discovered missing cavity wall insulation.

The other issues could be considered latent defects as well.
Consult a solicitor, you could start with your conveyancing solicitor.

Thank you very much for the advice and your time, I will certainly try getting a legal advice here.

 

[Midwest]

Thank you very much for the advice and your time, I will certainly try getting a legal advice here.

Good luck, let us know how you get on. FYI as far as I’m aware in my new build, the meter boxes do not have a lintel above, nor a cavity tray. They have however been installed properly.

 

[Deleted account]

Hi
I will never know why the 2 nd Box was installed, this is the way we got the House from new.

I can answer that one. Due to the size of the new smart meters DNO’s are insisting that a fused double pole isolator is not in the same box as the main cut out as it won’t fit.
Personally I think this is nonsense as I’ve seem large metal fused clad double pole isolators and cut out and meter fit no problem. This gave me a major headache on a job I did this year.
But if the DNO insist on this then i and the builders in your case have to comply.

As for the photos I don’t see anything that breaches BS7671.

 

[Midwest]

As for the photos I don’t see anything that breaches BS7671.

Don‘t think BS7671 applies here (more of DNO guidance), perhaps the top one. But I do think all the unnecessary holes should of been sealed up, or not made in the first place. Guess it’s their cock up for putting the supply cable in the wrong place. Possibly the first plot of that style built

 

[adriana]

Don‘t think BS7671 applies here (more of DNO guidance), perhaps the top one. But I do think all the unnecessary holes should of been sealed up, or not made in the first place. Guess it’s their cock up for putting the supply cable in the wrong place. Possibly the first plot of that style built

That was actually the last plot built, and was rushed a lot, and completed just days before Christmas

 

[DPG]

Can't believe they haven't put cavity insulation in!! Have you checked the other walls for the same thing?

 

[buzzlightyear]

its nice to see some body's work did the house come with a free mouse trap cause if sow mice are good climbers .

 

[adriana]

Can't believe they haven't put cavity insulation in!! Have you checked the other walls for the same thing?

yes, all walls were checked and yes, lots of uninsulated voids. Luckily this was reported to Builder within the first 2 years, so they can not go away with this.