Height Restriction On Consumer Unit? Please advise

[telectrix]

surely the only time the end user needs to acces the CU is to reset MCB/RCD. all other acces is for qualified personnel/ competent persons. doesn't require much trouble to access at ceiling height, otherwise what's the point of having kitchen units up there

 

[WayneL]

surely the only time the end user needs to acces the CU is to reset MCB/RCD. all other acces is for qualified personnel/ competent persons. doesn't require much trouble to access at ceiling height, otherwise what's the point of having kitchen units up there

You may find things a little different if you are wheelchair bound and alone in the house when your RCD trips - no good your CU being up by the ceiling then - not quite the same as not being able to get a biscuit out of the kitchen unit

This is what Part M is about.

And only quoting one line of the 'Guide to the Building Regs' doesn't help - what about the paragraph before?

It reads:

'A way of satisfying the requirement is to install switches, socket outlets and controls throughout the dwelling in accessible positions and at a height of between 450mm and 1200mm from the finished floor level'

I read 'controls' as applying to a CU

 

[malcolmsanford]

Controls IMO would be cooker points, FCU's , controls for boilers, thermostats that type of thing.

As reg 10.7.1 actually names a CU and the protection devices within can't call them controls, but it is ambigious, as all regs

 

[telectrix]

knew i should have been a photographer instead

 

[rocker]

When it comes to part M and other building regs, fine, the council should be able to stipulate what they want in their properties.
What I have issue with is saying that only NIC contractors can work in the properties. I don't understand how they are permitted to discriminate in this way.... surely they are part of the 'part p chain' and should understand the rules? Stating that only NIC can be used is surely giving undue preference to a scheme that, by definition, should have the same crack of the whip as ELECSA, Napit or indeed a competent person going through their local LABC.

 

[SEC-Tom]

Im working on a site at the minute and the agent and his clerk of the works has come round and insists that the boards should be at 1500 if not in a cupboard but when in a cupboard they should be 1200? All part of sustainable homes or something along those lines. I always thought it was aslong as it's accessible.

 

[WayneL]

Im working on a site at the minute and the agent and his clerk of the works has come round and insists that the boards should be at 1500 if not in a cupboard but when in a cupboard they should be 1200? All part of sustainable homes or something along those lines. I always thought it was aslong as it's accessible.

Okay.......now define accessible

This is why the guide of 450mm to 1200mm is given, because this would be deemed as accessible to all,....... although there is also this:

Section 10.5.2 of BS 8300:2001, 'Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people - code of practice' states that:

• electrical socket outlets, telephone points and TV sockets should be located between 400mm and 1000mm above the floor.
• Switches for permanently wired appliances should be mounted between 750mm and 1200mm above the floor.
• Meters should be mounted between 1200mm and 1400mm from the floor so that the readings can be viewed by a person standing or sitting. Pre-pay meters should be accessible but protected from tampering by children.
• All switches and controls that require manual dexterity should be between 750mm and 1000mm from the floor, and
• the maximum height of simple push button controls which require limited dexterity should be 1200mm.

But still no definitive guide for CUs, just the meter.
I suppose you have to decide if you are calling a MCB/RCD a switch or control - if not, what are you calling it?

I must say though - tucked up under the ceiling would definitely not be defined as accessible

 

[telectrix]

are we soon to have pendant drops to 1200 or 1500 so you can change a light bulb, sitting in a (wheel)chair?

 

[nickblake]

Be honest guy ive got a customer disabled cant bend cant climb ladder if you were to install these at 1200 she couldnt bend to look at it and couldit climb to reach it as i have said and phil the height should be no greater than 1500 and no less than 1200 simple covers every one ! unless your a squirrel