Consumer Unit in Bathroom

[ChrisElectrical88]

Been asked to carry out some works in a bathroom. The clients mains board, cutout and meter are in the airing cupboard of the bathroom currently. As part of the plans they are removing the airing cupboard and plan to just put a standard cupboard with a lock around the mains board which will now be in the bathroom at high level. It will be out of Zones.
I haven’t found out if all circuits are RCD protected yet, I’m also not a fan of it idea but what regs does this go against been out of zone, in a locked cupboard?

 

[hasel5]

In theory the incoming supply should be RCD protected as well if a sub main.
If the cut out is in there well Tin Hat on

 

[Strima]

The DNO may frown upon their kit being in an area with increased humidity etc.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

In theory the incoming supply should be RCD protected as well if a sub main.
If the cut out is in there well Tin Hat on

No sub main, the meter and cutout are in there aswell.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

The DNO may frown upon their kit being in an area with increased humidity etc.

Yes possibly, however the cupboard been built will be much more robust than the existing airing cupboard door.

 

[GBDamo]

Locked cupboard, not in zones, half my head is thinking why not.

My the other is screaming "are you mad"

Whats the liklihood of the lock disappearing and the cupboard becoming additional storage for the three thousand varieties of cleanser that the modern woman needs, jumping out the bath to grab a new bottle......

Shudders.

 

[telectrix]

Locked cupboard, not in zones, half my head is thinking why not.

My the other is screaming "are you mad"

Whats the liklihood of the lock disappearing and the cupboard becoming additional storage for the three thousand varieties of cleanser that the modern woman needs, jumping out the bath to grab a new bottle......

Shudders.

that problem easily solved. when she's in the bath, chuck in the toaster ( plugged in of course).

 

[James]

Just because you can’t think of a reg that it breaks, doesn’t mean you have to take on the job.

If in your mind it is wrong, don’t do it.

I wouldn’t do it in my house, so I wouldn’t do it for a customer either.

 

[pirate]

I hate this! Thousands of new-builds in Scotland have the CU in downstairs loo, and only way to get access to it is to stand on the WC. I don't care if it's deemed high enough to be out of zones, it just seems wrong. They are not in a cupboard either, just screwed to the wall above the loo. The loo is usually too small to allow a ladder in there. Plus, it's horrible that they are usually at the front, beside the hall at the front door. You ring the bell, hear the flush, then are presented with a damp hand to shake...no thanks!
There is a weird relaxation of the building regs that also allows a loo off the kitchen without an intervening air-space...i accept it's fair enough for some who are disabled, but as a rule it shouldn't be permitted. It's common in old conversions where an outside loo has been demolished and an inside one incorporated in a rear extension, but it's not a good idea, imho.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

My parents have this in their downstairs shower room. Originally the back of the garage, it was converted in the mid 80s. The equipment's at high level, with the lower area being used to store shower roomy type stuff, I have never seen any problem with it. I doubt DNO would mind, after all they are happy having their equipment in a plastic cupboard outside, exposed to the elements. Personally, assuming the cupboard is sturdy, I would do it.

 

[LastManOnline]

My parents have this in their downstairs shower room. Originally the back of the garage, it was converted in the mid 80s. The equipment's at high level, with the lower area being used to store shower roomy type stuff, I have never seen any problem with it. I doubt DNO would mind, after all they are happy having their equipment in a plastic cupboard outside, exposed to the elements. Personally, assuming the cupboard is sturdy, I would do it.

Having the "CU" in the bathroom could never "sit right" with any conventionally trained spark. Our electrical instincts have been honed to dismiss the suggestion out of hand.I personally never install CU, s in any area, besides the utility or hallway. But standing back and looking at the OP, s situation objectively, is a CU installed outside the zones in a suitably designed locked cupboard dangerous? I would have to answer "No". If someone can provide legitimate reasons that differ with that view, by all means let's hear them. Could I honestly say to the homeowner that he would be deemed to be in danger switching off an mcb in his CU in the bathroom area while he is deemed to be in no danger at all operating his shower switch with water flowing down around his ankles??

 

[Intoelectrics]

Having the "CU" in the bathroom could never "sit right" with any conventionally trained spark. Our electrical instincts have been honed to dismiss the suggestion out of hand.I personally never install CU, s in any area, besides the utility or hallway. But standing back and looking at the OP, s situation objectively, is a CU installed outside the zones in a suitably designed locked cupboard dangerous? I would have to answer "No". If someone can provide legitimate reasons that differ with that view, by all means let's hear them. Could I honestly say to the homeowner that he would be deemed to be in danger switching off an mcb in his CU in the bathroom area while he is deemed to be in no danger at all operating his shower switch with water flowing down around his ankles??

It can also be a perception thing, the current set up is also just a cupboard albeit a larger one. I think maybe in this particular case, if its not its not falling under any regs departures, then I would apply common sense. I would consider the size of the room, the likelihood off moisture ingress, location for access...etc

 

[DPG]

Steam from a shower would be my main concern. Gets everywhere.

 

[LastManOnline]

It can also be a perception thing, the current set up is also just a cupboard albeit a larger one. I think maybe in this particular case, if its not its not falling under any regs departures, then I would apply common sense. I would consider the size of the room, the likelihood off moisture ingress, location for access...etc

Agreed. By the way I was really glad to see your statement "I would apply common sense".

 

[brianmoooore]

Unfortunately common sense has very little to do with this kind of thing.
A law says what a law says. It may not be what you'd like it to say, or even what it was meant to say, but until a judgement on case law clarifies what it means, then it means exactly what it says.