Few easy ones, domestic dwellings, smoke alarms, kitchens.

MrTrance · Jul 7, 2015

So just to clear a few things up, I work with 10 sparks, all have different answers to these questions.

1. When upgrading a fuse board is it mandatory to upgrade the gas/water bonding to 10mm

2. When upgrading a fuse board is it mandatory to install smoke alarms?

3. When rewiring / new build install, am I right in saying you need a smoke on each floor and a heat in the kitchen (all interlinked).

4. Kitchens, Do I need a fuse spur for washer, dryer, fridge, extractor etc (This one got them arguing).

5. Kitchens, whats the most popular / easy way (new dwellings) wiring cookers / hobs (45A switch behind oven housing? With a socket on for gas in future).

6. Are you allowed sockets / cooker switches in kitchen cupboards

:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

Risteard · Jul 9, 2015

tazz said:
Minimum requirement throughout uk is LD3, which is deemed adequate under approved document B
Living room not required....

That presumably is for England and Wales only. Technical Booklet E (Fire Safety) for the Building Regulations here states (for dwellings less than 200m^2):

"2.23 A dwellinghouse should be provided with either -

(a) smoke alarms complying with BS 5446-1 and a heat alarm or alarms complying with BS 5446-2 installed in accordance with paragraphs 2.25 to 2.33; or

(b) an automatic fire detection and fire alarm system complying with BS 5839-6 of at least Grade D Category LD2 standard including a smoke alarm or alarms in the principal habitable room and a heat alarm or alarms in every kitchen."

I won't type out 2.25 to 2.33 (word wrap won't work properly copying the text) but it basically reiterates the BS 5839-6 requirements.

tazz · Jul 9, 2015

BS 5839: Pt.6: 2013 recommends that a new-build property consisting of no more than 3 floors (less than 200sqm per floor)) should be fitted with a Grade D, LD2 system.
Building Regulations in England, Wales & Scotland recommend that BS 5839: Pt.6 should be followed but, as a minimum, a Grade D, LD3 system should be installed.
Building Regulations in Northern Ireland require a Grade D, LD2 system to be installed, with smoke alarms fitted in the escape routes and the main living room and a heat alarm in the kitchen.