Heights for sockets and switches

[eds54]

Hi all
I,m rewiring a house with a new back extension, i know the new recommended heights for socket outlets 450mm to the centre of the box and1200mm to the top of the box for switches (why to the midde on 1 box and the to on the other i cannot fathom). What i need to know is do these measurements apply to the old part of the house as well as the new and do they apply at all seeing as the house is occupied and not a new build. Hope somebody can put me straight.

 

[trev]

The recommended heights are for new builds. Rewires are up to you and your client

 

[kingeri]

Doesn't apply to existing property, just put them in the same place if that's what customer wants. As long as you're not making the installation less hospitable, then there's no issue. On extension, I'd comply with height requirements, but again you could get away with matching height to rest of house.

 

[Baker1988]

450 to 120 Only applys to new builds pal

 

[eds54]

That makes sense. Cheers for that

 

[telectrix]

and just to put you right, it's 450mm to bottom ( min) and 1200 to top (max) p.161 red osg.

 

[danzor]

Was going to post that to Tel, drives me mad when people think its centre then wonder why it gets snagged

 

[telectrix]

stress though that it's only new builds and major refurbs. rewires and extensions are at client's request, providing comliance with BS7671 as regards damage to plugs and flexes.

 

[Elmer BeFuddled]

Was recently involved in a private new build. Client was not havin "effin sockets half way up the effin wall and switches by me effin belly button" (a tall fella). He was paying the bills so he got what he wanted. NIC questioned it but were OK with that when explained. I can see it being an issue in "social housing" though.

Whatever happened to the old saying/method that switches should be placed at (the sparks not the female clients) nipple height? Or mebbe that was just the fella I was working with!!

 

[MDJ]

, i know the new recommended heights for socket outlets 450mm to the centre of the box .

Nope think again :earmuffs:

 

[Stroppy]

Gaaa, its not to the centre of the frigging box!! Even when I showed my colleague the OSG diagram he still puts them half out of the zone, and then moves the boxes on the pre-built pods from their correct position to his half-ar$ed centred position! Makes me mad (if you hadn't noticed).

 

[eds54]

Yep you are right i should wear my glasses more often

 

[rmc86uk]

A lot of new build jobs I have been on and mainly for the same firm they put them both at centre heights which does annoy me but you as they say I suppose.

 

[telectrix]

just politely show them either the osg or part m of the building regs. then , when they have it in front of them, ask if they want it to comply or use their own ideas.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

and just to put you right, it's 450mm to bottom ( min) and 1200 to top (max) p.161 red osg.

Beat me to it!!

:furious3: