EICR - Unsatisfactory

[dark_knight]

Hi,

I am about to get an EICR done on a residential property. If a cooker isolation switch is less than 300mm from the hob will this produce an unsatisfactory.

Thanks.

 

[stevethesparks]

I would expect it to get an advisory c3, this is part of building regs. as long as it's not above the hob or in a really awkward position.

 

[dark_knight]

Thanks Steve. The switch is to the left of the Hob as in the attached pic.

 

[suffolkspark]

No code from me

 

[DefyG]

C3 at worst (as potential to have flex draped across hot hob!), so no not unsatisfactory.

 

[James]

C3 at worst (as potential to have flex draped across hot hob!), so no not unsatisfactory.

even then, a change of isolator to one with no socket would fix that.

p.s if you are paying less than £100 for the inspection, he might not even look in the kitchen ;-)

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Wouldn’t even code that mate

 

[Dustydazzler]

Unless it’s directly behind the hob , I wouldn’t even code it

if it was behind the hob then c3

 

[Dustydazzler]

even then, a change of isolator to one with no socket would fix that.

p.s if you are paying less than £100 for the inspection, he might not even look in the kitchen ;-)

probably won’t even get out his car

 

[happysteve]

even then, a change of isolator to one with no socket would fix that.

Are there any 32A/45A isolators that are "landscape" orientation in a 2G back box? Obviously there are loads that are "portrait" but the only ones I've seen that are landscape have a 13A socket with them. Fitting one of the standard ones on its side seems a bit, well, badger's.

 

[nicebutdim]

Never seen one, but google unearthed this single pole Clipsal switch from Rexel in Australia. Maybe they were having the same problem and a manufacturer decided to plug the gap in that market...

First thought was a grid plate, but never seen a 45A grid switch either.

 

[Mike Johnson]

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/VLXP45N.html

 

[Timbo]

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/VLXP45N.html

Mike, I know you are in France and they have a different outlook on life there, but that is still portrait view switch. ?

 

[Mike Johnson]

But without the socket, it was late and I was tired so did not read the whole thread, still it's nice looking.

 

[dark_knight]

Been told switch is in a cooker zone and Napit code it as C2.

 

[Ian1981]

The building regulations require you to be 100mm from the hob, not 300mm plus it’s a building regulation for new builds and similar, nothing to do with bs7671 which deals with the suitability of the external influences etc
For the picture and if no evidence of thermal damage it’s only a C3 at the most, never a C2.

 

[DPG]

Been told switch is in a cooker zone and Napit code it as C2.

NAPIT - brought to you by the letter C and the number 2.

 

[Dartlec]

NAPIT - brought to you by the letter C and the number 2.

The way things are going, Napit registered electricians will find themselves not getting calls for EICRs if the word gets out amongst landlords that they are coding more harshly.

Codebreakers may be a good idea, but there needs to be consistency between organisations and guidance, not competition so you can pick and choose which one you want to follow.

 

[Dartlec]

Been told switch is in a cooker zone and Napit code it as C2.

Have you had the EICR yet, or was this from another source?

Napit don't code anything - though they produce a book "Codebreakers" that gives example codes for various situations. The inspector makes a judgement on the day based on a variety of factors, so it's not just a simple 'tick box' exercise, or rather shouldn't be. Any code, but in particular C2s or C1s should be backed up with a regulation number that has been breached.

Unfortunately, The Codebreakers book seems to differ in some areas from other guidance available from people like Electrical Safety First.

Their Best Practise Guide states that a C2 is appropriate for

"Fixed equipment does not have a means of switching off for mechanical maintenance, where such maintenance involves a risk of burns, or injury from mechanical movement",

But in this case there is a means of switching off. Does the same switch also isolate the oven?

The socket is potentially an issue but personally the only way I could see it being a C2 is if that was the only socket in the kitchen so was likely to be used for trailing leads. I assume that's not the case?

 

[telectrix]

NAPIT - brought to you by the letter C and the number 2.

since when did nappies write the regs.?

 

[Dartlec]

since when did nappies write the regs.?

If they wanted to, the first should probably take out the statement by the Health and Safety Executive on page 13 that makes it very clear that existing installations installed to a previous version are not considered unsafe just because they do not meet current regs.