C2?

[D Skelton]

Quick one for you all, I've just rocked up to PIR a flat and one of the first things I come across is the DB which is an old Dorman Smith series 15 stuffed under the kitchen sink in a small but deep cupboard. There is access to isolate individual circuits but without ripping half the kitchen out there aint no way I'm getting in there to test. Also, its half obscurred by the gas meter so its in a real stupid place. The customer will be back soon so I will obviously have to explain that I can't go through the full range of tests but as an observation only I bunged a C2 in the box next to 'adequacy of access to...' What are your thoughts?

 

[Octopus]

Completely agree.... but wouldn't be rushing to quote to replace and move the CU!!

 

[Hants-Spark]

I'd go with that, possibly sounds to close to gas metre also. Sounds like a pain to do anything with, so good luck

 

[Guest55]

C2 = potential to cause harm to persons / property

obviously awkwardly positioned but what danger is it presenting ?
none really so C3 tbh.

 

[dan86]

so the db and gas meter are under the kitchen sink?

 

[imago]

C2 = potential to cause harm to persons / property

obviously awkwardly positioned but what danger is it presenting ?

He might bang his head or skin his knuckles gaining access?

 

[D Skelton]

C2 = potential to cause harm to persons / property

obviously awkwardly positioned but what danger is it presenting ?
none really so C3 tbh.

My thoughts were that as I really had to work hard to squeeze my tubby a$$ in to the cupboard just to isolate, when the property is fully occupied and there is all manner of crap piled high in that cupboard, it cannot be seen as readily accessible should a fault occur and a circuit were to need isolating.

The very fact that it is so hard to gain access to in my opinion presents a danger to any future electrician attempting to carry out work on the DB.

Another thing that crossed my mind is the placement of the DB making it impossible to carry out any form of dead test means that any potential problem that could be found by regular testing could be missed which in itself could be a danger to any of the tenants living there.

I was umming and arring between a C2 and a C3 tbh but I decided to err on the side of caution with this one.

Input still appreciated though fella

 

[imago]

If access is that bad I'd agree with the C2 based on the inability to isolate in the event of a fault. As it's a flat is it a sub-board?

 

[D Skelton]

No, main board in each flat

 

[imago]

Definately a C2 for me then as there's no easy access to main switch to isolate the installation.

 

[Guest55]

C2 based on the inability to isolate in the event of a fault.

apart from.....

There is access to isolate individual circuits

I was umming and arring between a C2 and a C3

find something else to fail them on , shouldnt be hard in a domestic
;-)

 

[imago]

Individual circuits, but not shut the lot off. So while an electrician may be able to identify the fault as being on this or that circuit, would the occupier or emergency services? Even if you know which circuit you need to loom for, finding it in the dark whilst grovelling about in a cupboard on your knees won't be easy. What if the fault is at the board end of a circuit?

If you can't turn everything off in the event of a fault it's potentially dangerous IMHO. I'd still go with C2 on this one.

 

[richy3333]

Had a CU at the far back of a 1000mm base cupboard over Christmas. Once they had cleared all the pots and pans out I had to climb half in to the cupboard to get to the unit. The wife's ex-hisband put the CU in 30 years ago when he built the house, felt it would be 'out of the way'!

I'd mark yours a C2 also.

 

[D Skelton]

find something else to fail them on , shouldnt be hard in a domestic

I did, about 12 C2s and a couple of C1s. Doubt whether they will argue about how dangerously placed their CU may or may not be when they've got live connector blocks sticking out of the ceiling within easy arms reach (2.1m from the floor of the bath) of the shower haha!