Floor sockets + Building Regs

[KevinH]

I am 1st fixing an extension and in one area there is no wall space (glass walls like a sun lounge) for any sockets although customer insists he wants a power point in the corner.
I suggested a floor socket as the floor is due to be insulated and screeded.
The customer sounded happy with that but then he remembered an earlier conversation we had with me trying to explain building regs regarding heights between 450mm and 1200mm for switches/sockets etc on new builds, then he asked a brilliant question.........why do they make floor sockets if anything can't be lower than 450mm?
To be honest I was stuck for an answer and (to save embarrassment) I said the regs only cover WALL accessories.....only answer I could think of and he bought it.
So my question is pretty much the same as my customers. The answer is probably in some literature somewhere, but I thought I would just ask on this site instead.

 

[Resu]

Thanks all! I agree with all comments posted.
So basically the general answer is......bugger this reg as its not practical in some cases!!?? Seems kinda pointless having it eh?

I think the key words are "general use". Provided some sockets are sited at the right heights for general use, the odd one placed in an otherwise unusual position doesn't matter.

 

[Taylortwocities]

The “Approved Documents” eg Part P, Part M etc provide guidance on ways that we will be able to comply with the Statutory Legislation.

Socket heights are to provide sufficient access for disabled folk. Install sufficient sockets at the required height and add dome floor sockets.
Double check with you local friendly LABC person. They’ll be fine with it.

 

[Deleted member 105166]

add dome floor sockets.

Minimum height of the dome?

 

[pirate]

Minimum height of the dome is probably less than 1mm...
anything less and it would appear to be flat...
A flat surface would not be a dome, so we are looking at any height that might conceivably be dome-shaped...actually, maybe 0.5mm in the centre might be dome-shaped...well, of course it would technically, as would any height more than 0, but to the human eye/touch, I expect 0.5mm would be a dome to most folks. Indeed, anything giving a quaquaversal plane would be a dome...
Sheesh...all this work for a typo!

 

[Markyd]

if its an extension... sockets and switches can match the same height as existing fittings

 

[Taylortwocities]

if its an extension... sockets and switches can match the same height as existing fittings

Yes. That’s the point. And I had missed that it was an extension. Those socket heights only apply to new builds where all of the requirements of Part M come into play. Things like accessibility ramps, wider (wheelchair) doors for downstairs toilets, and much more.

@KevinH you can put the sockets etc to match the heights in the rest of the house, and in the floor for your problem locations.

You can download the Approved document here https://assets.publishing.service.g...BR_PDF_AD_M1_2015_with_2016_amendments_V3.pdf

This is the key point in the introduction

 

[DPG]

Nobody has mentioned the easiest 2 solutions:

Sink a couple of feet of uni-strut into the concrete floor and fasten a metal-clad socket to that.

Glue a standard back-box to the glass panel.

 

[Lister1987]

Install as planned then just write on minor works as a deviation from height regs, that way you've "followed" regs re certification and CYA'd by advising of the deviation on the paperwork

 

[richy3333]

Install as planned then just write on minor works as a deviation from height regs, that way you've "followed" regs re certification and CYA'd by advising of the deviation on the paperwork

But it doesn't need noting as (in your scenario) it would be a deviation from Building Regs, not BS7671?

I've just had architect drawings for a new build in scotland and our sockets are supposed to be at 400mm. However it includes floor sockets for the property so clearly nobody else has an issue with it! I don't.

 

[Lister1987]

Doesn't BS7671 stipulate install heights and location as well as found in building regs?

Either way you're recording it somewhere relevant and covering your arse, that's how I do it but I'm still learning

 

[Taylortwocities]

BS7671 does not stipulate heights, only to say that sockets go in places where damage wont be caused to them by insertion of a plug.

That august publication, the OSG, mentions 450/1200mm heights of sockets etc, but states that these only apply to new builds. At least they got that right!