Consumer Unit Positioning on New Build Flat (2011)

[oasisman]

Hi,

I purchased a new build flat in Greater London, it's a duplex, the Consumer Unit is fitted in a cupboard under the stairs, however I have a massive boiler right up against it. So close to the Consumer Unit I can't even see all the labels located on the Consumer Unit, not sure how I would know what to switch on/off if I needed to, other than by using a camera phone to take a picture and sliding my hand and counting the switches. I've done some talking with the builder, they state it's fine and to speak with my local building control. So that's what I did, I phoned Sutton Council, spoke to Building Control, they stated my flat had a valid electrical certificate, I told them the issue, Sutton Council say I need to take the builder to court and state my flat is not fit for purpose. Sutton council state there are no building regulations in relation to Consumer Units, I thought, surely this cannot be the case. I've since found the following (Part M, it seems is key):

17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations on the 1st January 2008 states (and I paraphrase) the below (regulation Part M)
Part P of the building regulations relates to the electrical safety in dwellings. The approved document prescribes that consumer units should be located so that they are easily reachable where this is necessary to comply with Part M of the building Regulations. Part M requires that reasonable provision be made for people to gain access to a building and use its facilities. The approved document prescribes that switches, socket outlets and “other equipment” needs to be at appropriate heights, these are defined as between 0.45m and 1.2m from finished floor level.


Other equipment includes the consumer unit, as it contains devices such as MCB’s and RCD’s that may need operation or resetting by the user of the dwelling. The consumer unit should therefore be accessible, with the devices mounted at a height no greater the 1.2m above the floor. In addition the consumer unit should not be in a location that would make it difficult to access such as an under stairs cupboard. Neither should it be placed in a position where is likely to be damaged by impact. Therefore depending on the layout of the dwelling a flush consumer unit may be considered.

For reference, here is the boiler I have installed, it's a big one: Exhaust Air heat pump - NIBE F470


Does this all sound right, am I correct that the Consumer Unit should have ease of access and not be obstructed?

 

[Octopus]

You need to post a picture so we can all see what you mean!

 

[markc123]

Yes you are correct.

Post up some pictures, be interesting too see - sounds like a complete mess.

 

[oasisman]

Will post a pic as soon as I can.

I've been telling the builder it's incorrectly positioned for 2 years!

I know what's happened, they put the right side wall in underneath the stairs and installed the electrics and consumer unit etc. Then they have got it certified, once all the boxes are ticked and the cert. is issued, they have then put the massive boiler in and then done a wall around it and fitted the door. They say the boiler cannot be moved as it's plumed in. All the duplex's are like this, as they all have the same floor plan, the other flats have decent cupboards for the Consumer Unit. I asked them to move the boiler as far left as they can, but they won't. I suspect they would have to take the wall down, un-plumb the boiler, move it 6 or so inches and plumb it back up again, then install a new wall; all sounds like a pain (+ money), hence they don't want to do it. They haven't said any of this, but this is what I assume has happened and why they don't want to go to the bother of moving the boiler.

Yes you are correct.

Post up some pictures, be interesting too see - sounds like a complete mess.

 

[Engineer54]

Without a photo, we can't tell how bad the situation is. The definitive question would be, can the cover of the CU be removed for maintenance or for MCB/RCD additions/replacements, by a qualified electrician?? If the answer is NO, then the CU is not fit for purpose, and can, .....no ''WILL'' be a very big problem for you or any future owners!!


Ask Sutton Building Control who actually police's/enforces the Building Regulations in the Sutton area if not the LABC. I'd be asking them straight, why ''THEY'' didn't pick it up at drawing submittal time, and/or during their regular site inspections...

 

[oasisman]

I will post a photo tonight so everyone can see.

The boiler is very obtrusive, when I first moved in and the BT guy came, he had major trouble getting access to the telephone line, as that is below the consumer unit, in the end he left the cover off and said he just can't get it back on, simply couldn't squeeze his arm down there any further.

Good point about the cover, it might be able to be removed, and if so, it would be difficult, there is only just enough room for the clear plastic swing-down cover to open (just).

Another good point about speaking to Sutton Building Control again, when I first spoke to them, they stated since it has an electrical cert. it must have been fine at the time.

Every electrician I've had in have said they wouldn't go near it, my cousin is an electrician (but I don't think he knows all the regulations etc.) You can only read the first few labels on there, the rest you have to take a photograph with a camera phone or look at the electrical cert.

Will post photo tonight.

Without a photo, we can't tell how bad the situation is. The definitive question would be, can the cover of the CU be removed for maintenance or for MCB/RCD additions/replacements, by a qualified electrician?? If the answer is NO, then the CU is not fit for purpose, and can, .....no ''WILL'' be a very big problem for you or any future owners!!


Ask Sutton Building Control who actually police's/enforces the Building Regulations in the Sutton area if not the LABC. I'd be asking them straight, why ''THEY'' didn't pick it up at drawing submittal time, and/or during their regular site inspections...

 

[Engineer54]

Will post photo tonight.

You may have to contact one of the mod's administrators here, for early permission to post a photo. Automatic permission being given after 6 Posts...

 

[Octopus]

or to get you post count to 3 just do 3 more posts with 6 characters or more!

 

[oasisman]

Yeah, it seems I can't insert/upload an image yet, hopefully after this very post I'll be able to...

 

[oasisman]

Here are 2 pics:

 

[Octopus]

That's just plain stupid. Get the builder back and get it sorted. Nothing less would be acceptable.

 

[oasisman]

Yep, I'm trying but they keep saying it's too hard to move due to the boiler; they should've thought about that beforehand I'd say!

That's just plain stupid. Get the builder back and get it sorted. Nothing less would be acceptable.

 

[oasisman]

Here is a pic of the floor plan for that area, you can see this is under the stairs, the red square is the boiler and the green section is the consumer unit. I guess if there were more room, maybe it would be ok, but this simply isn't the case.

 

[oasisman]

Question... Where should it go...?

Without moving the boiler (although I'm guessing this will be different to move all the cables hooked up), maybe move it to the outter wall to the left of the boiler. Still this is under the stairs, and I intend to add doors etc. to add more usable storage, however, I would have a big enough door for someone to fully get in. (See Blue area in pic as a suggestion..)

 

[Octopus]

I'm afraid to suggest this but on the living room wall directly behind where it is now. That said you'll need a sparky who is a contortionist to do the work. I seriously can't believe this layout has been approved by building control