Distribution Board in Commercial premises

[plugsandsparks]

Not sure how tight it was - e.g. could the DB cover be opened ? - this will need 1/2 mtre at least , some DBs are much bigger so depends really, then is the door hinge the right side so you can actually get at it.
This is for the purpose of isolation, never mide working on the board.
BS7671 covers this and although not dimensioned, it has to be accessible. I have come across DBs that you simply cannot get at for plant and machinery so i assume nothing about the situation you have come across.

Now if you were going to work on it, that is another matter. You need to be able to totally remove the cover which is screwed on, this usually mean the door has to be fully open to remove the screws. Then you need room to work........ Accessable to me is a minimum of 1M probably more like 1.5-2.

FWIW i code installations i come across with inadequate access when i carry out inspections to BS7671

 

[snowhead]

Although, they can be too accessible, one of the DB's at work is on a main gangway, the incomer switch was removed by a passing fork truck last week!

Hope it was securely isolated and locked off elsewhere before he ripped it off..

 

[Knobhead]

Hi
Before I start, just to let you know, I'm a H&S professional , who went for an interview/assessment yesterday.
I pointed out a distribution boards, on a busy commercial property which was hidden behind machinery & equipment. I have always been told, by maintenance, that there is a requirement to allow easy access to the board in case of emergencies. The assessor was not aware of this requirement.
So my question is twofold:
1. Is there a legal requirement to leave a suitable space around the board for access?
2. Or is this just classed as 'best practice.?'

Thanks for hearing me out.

Pull the other one, it's got bells on it.

A H&S professional would not be asking on a web site for basic safety information.

 

[High Tower]

Section 729 of BS7671 applies only to new installs and does not cover existing.

 

[Ssc]

Pull the other one, it's got bells on it.

A H&S professional would not be asking on a web site for basic safety information.

If you read my first post it states that I have always recommended a 1m distance. I am asking for best practice, because as you can see from the replies there does not appears to be a specific measurement stated.
it might be a basic question for persons who do this for a living, but this is not my normal area..


thanks for all the replies, I appreciate your help

 

[MDJ]

But the point is you should know, if you lectured the interviewer you need facts to back it up, were not H&S professionals we listen to people like you giving us advice, anyhow if you got what you came for then alls well that ends well.

 

[Spoon]

All these stated figures on widths of clear space etc, are all minimum. Think about a Switchboard or the like with ''withdrawable'' ACB's/MCCB's, 1 metre or 1.5 metre wouldn't come even close to the clear space required to remove or replace these ACB's/MCCB's!!

Again, very true. The OP didn't state what type of dist board it was, he was after some regs stating minimum distance. Ricky gave him a good one on post 4 that states distances. I thought that I would give another reg that stated distances. There is another reg that states distances, but I don't have my BGB with me, its at the beginning of the book. It is up to the OP to see which one applies, but there should be a min distance of at least 1 meter.

 

[Knobhead]

Well this thread has confirmed my long held views about Health and Safety advisors/consultants. They know nothing about you’re job but feel they are fully qualified to tell you how to do it.
In my eyes they rank along side training providers, parasites!

 

[plugsandsparks]

Well this thread has confirmed my long held views about Health and Safety advisors/consultants. They know nothing about you’re job but feel they are fully qualified to tell you how to do it.
In my eyes they rank along side training providers, parasites!

:shocked3: maybe the OP should watch two men on steps wrestle a chunky I-Line board cover off and form his own view.
Distance is DB dependant, has to be....no one dimension fits all.
Tony, that was a little strong for a Sunday morning...

 

[Knobhead]

Not taken my medication yet :veryangry2:

 

[snowhead]

Not taken my medication yet :veryangry2:

Is that Liquid medication dispensed in transparent containers??

 

[Robotstar5]

Hope it was securely isolated and locked off elsewhere before he ripped it off..

I raised the problem with my supervisor, then my manager but no one seems concerned there is now no way of isolating the DB!. I've only worked there a couple of months but some of the statutary and H&S infringements are that worrying I'm looking for another job already.

 

[Darkwood]

You originally ask a question re' LEGAL requirements and many have guided you to relevant reg's but just to remind you the 17th BS7671 is guidence and not Legal requirement as such but not following it could make you suseptable to prosecution if an incident were to occur and the cause may be attributed to your work or ignorance of existing electrics you have worked on that were unsafe.

 

[adslev]

Section 729 of BS7671 applies only to new installs and does not cover existing.

Take a look at the factory act 1895
These regulations have always been in place but have been chosen to be ignored mostly by architects and all knowing designers

 

[High Tower]

Take a look at the factory act 1895
These regulations have always been in place but have been chosen to be ignored mostly by architects and all knowing designers

Don't dispute it I was only referring to section 29 of bs7671 and nothing else.