Height of bathroom isolation switches

[GatwickGaz]

Hi there, I am new to this site. It looks like there is a lot of useful info here. I am an electrical engineer contracting to a DNO (11kV and 33kV) and do not have an in depth knowledge of electrical regs.

Here is my problem which I hope some kind person can answer...

We have moved into a new house. All the en-suite and bathroom fan isolation switches (on the wall outside the room) have been mounted so high that they cannot be reached without something to stand on. I have raised this as unacceptable with the developer. He says they are for isolation only, i.e. not for regular on/off use, although I think he has somewhat shot himself in the foot, as there is the same set-up in the utility room presumably to extract if a tumble drier cannot vent directly outside. This isolation switch is also out of reach.

My argument is the common one of fan noise which I saw posted on another thread. At night if just using the en-suite loo, no-one really wants a fan running on and keeping them awake. Also in this day or energy saving when people are starting to turn off applianes from standby, surely I should have the option to use the fan or not. No on needs a fan when cleaning their teeth!

Now after the pre-amble, here are the questions

1. Are there minumum and/or maximum height for the isolation switches?
2. Are there any Regs (presumably Building Regs??) that state that the fans should be on whenever the light is on in the bathroom/en-suite?

Any help or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Gary

 

[flukey]

the isolation switch is purely for isolating the fan for maintenance purposes if it is fed from a lighting curcuit.

no hard and fast rules as to where to put them, however i always fit mine over the top of bathroom door.

if you dont want the fan on unless you have a shower then just leave it in the off position

 

[GatwickGaz]

Thanks for that Flukey, that is how we intend to use them - I understand what I can and can't do.

My issue is with my daughters who don't have a cat in hells chance of reaching the switch - and standing on swivel computer chairs to reach the switch is obviously dangerous.

I have asked the developer to lower them, regardless of what issues they have with battens, studding etc. but I want to be in a position where I can go to them and say "look, you have put these in a totally ridiculous position" without them coming back and quoting some regulation of height at me.

So can you give me any more info or a clue as to the regulation number that states the requirement for fan isolation switches please?

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 9648]

The switch must be located outside of zone 2.....(Zone 2 extends 600 mm from the outer edge of the bath/shower enclosure,and 2250mm from floor level).
If it is outside of this zone it can be mounted anywhere as long as it is not exposed to water jets etc.

 

[flukey]

dont know of any such reg maybe someone else does

as its an isolator it is usually down to the spark to position it and as said previously they are normally high up unless someone specifically asks otherwise

 

[philip962]

Wirepuller has hit the nail on the head for you it is in the onsite guide and electricians guide to the building regs

 

[flukey]

Wirepuller has hit the nail on the head for you it is in the onsite guide and electricians guide to the building regs

think the op is referring to the 450-1200 height, no heights are stated for isolators for extractors

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Yes....sorry,got the wrong end of the stick,....the isolators are outside of the room.
There is no specific height recommended that I know of,they could be mounted at normal B/R height for switches,1200mm to top of switch.

 

[GatwickGaz]

Thanks for the responses guys. Presumably it is up to the consumer, i.e. me; whether they have the fan on continuously or not. I will get back to the developer and see if I can get them moved.

 

[ezzzekiel]

if there is a window then there is no requirement for the isolator at all

 

[Pinto Baz]

You might like to check building regulations part F (ventilation) and part M (Access) which includes the 450-1200mm for sockets and functional switches like light switches, I am not sure if it includes isolation switches but, as it does apply to consumer units, it might. I think you can download these regs for free or at least find most of the info from them online.

There is certainly no reg that states that the fan must come on whenever the light is on but this is how it is usually done,it's cheaper and helps to ensure the fan gets switched off. I think if there is a big enough window then there is no need for a fan at all; as a piece of fixed eguipment, the fan does need an isolator.

I think what the developer has done is pretty well the norm 'custom and practice' for the industry and I doubt that you will really be able to nail him in a court of law. You might try and get an amicable deal or you will probably have to pay the full cost of any alterations yourself. The cheapest alteration might be to install a pull cord fan or a pull cord switch next to the fan, but a lot of people don't like these either

 

[Des 56]

To those who say that fans switched from lights is the norm
They dont operate that way on my installations

Why design a ventilation system where the control of that ventilation is dependant on the brightness or darkness of a room

Its so much better to have the control associated with whether you want air extraction or not

A seperate pull cord with a timer far exceeds the ventilation for a pee method

Some reasons why not
Ventilating when its not wanted
Noisy in the night when it was not wanted
No control of daytime smells
I could go on

I can never understand why ventilation would be wired this way by a spark, unless the customer specifically asked for it


The fan isolator is not a functional switch,it is for isolation,you need a diiferent reason to aproach the bulider/developer

 

[amberleaf]

Re: Height of bathroom isolation switches
the isolation switch is purely for isolating the fan for maintenance purposes if it is fed from a lighting circuit.

Flukey . Amber here . is not Part P . Switches Used for Maintenance , BS-7671:2008 .

If a Switch is Deemed for Maintenance Purposes . ( see Manufacturer’s Install Guidelines ) Regulation 537.3.1.1. refers .
Then Switching “ for Mechanical Maintenance shall be so Placed and Durably Marked , and Located so as to be Readily Identifiable and Convenient for the Intended Use .

 

[amberleaf]

Re: Height of bathroom isolation switches
Regulation 537.3.2.4. refers . my Mistake Amber

 

[flukey]

Re: Height of bathroom isolation switches

Flukey . Amber here . is not Part P . Switches Used for Maintenance , BS-7671:2008 .

.