Can a socket go on the front of a chimney breast over a gas fire?

[sluggish]

Hello folks, I've another question (sorry, feel a right useless twonk asking questions, but I did do a search before asking and the topic I found related to sockets on the side of a chimney).

Can I put electrical sockets over a gas fireplace (the fire is in use on occasion), around 1200mm or so above the top of the gas fire so I can mount a tv on my chimney? I've been really looking forward to having this done but my friend said it won't be possible due to regulations.

The wiring would run over the brickwork, and would be plastered over, rather than being brought in through the chimney void. Is this really against regs? Please say it ain't so (unless it is).

Thanks

 

[DurhamSparky]

truthfully!!!! its YOUR house DO AS YOU SEE FIT!!!! as long as its safe and well not going to melt with your tv when fire is on!!

 

[sluggish]

Well, so far as I can tell it won't melt the tv or socket. I'd really like to have the wiring done in compliance with regulations, so from that view, would it still be ok to do?

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Cant you tap into the socket circuit in the room above and drop the cable straight down the wall. RCD etc etc and job done. I have seen some horrendous examples of cables going in all sorts of directions up chimney breasts from the nearest socket to run Telly's not pretty but very dangerous. If the cable comes straight down the wall and the TV is mounted on the same wall then it is highly unlikely to ever hurt someone. I dare say that what you intend to do could be done in a compliant way.

Cheers...........Howard

 

[Phil]

the heat that comes where the tv will be mounted should not be that bad. as the heat comes out the front my chimney walll does not get hot in the lounge although the heat rises through the chimney into the bedroom. the main problem with the plasmas is keeping them cool so they don`t overheat and start popping things inside

 

[sluggish]

Thanks for your replies.

The room above has been lovingly plastered and painted so I haven't the heart to touch that again.
I was thinking the wire could rise from the side of the chimney breast upto the desired height and then turn in toward the face of the chimney, thus avoiding the heat. Does that sound ok?

 

[Sintra]

You can't just turn a cable if it is plastered into the wall.
Cables have to run horizontally or verticall between outlets the way out of it is to fit a back box and blanking plate were you turn the cable.