How High

[the pict]

Is there a reg on the maximum height of a consumer unit, I know the general rule for accessories is .750/1.2mtr but are CU's specifically mentioned, cant find it myself but that does'nt mean it is not there
Pict

 

[Deleted member 26818]

No, there isn't.
The only requirements are that it should be accessible, if it is intended for emergency switching, then it should be readily accessible.

 

[the pict]

Cheers for that Spin, I am shifing my own CU into the kitchen eventually it will be in a cupboard, no emers although not tottaly rulled out considering the power cuts we get on the Island
Pict

 

[Deleted member 26818]

By emergency switching, I mean if there is a need to isolate in the event of an emergency, not emergency lighting.

 

[roukel01]

Hull City council made a company move an entire block of apartments (New Build) Consumer Units because they never fell between the 450mm - 1200mm zone. However, as said in posts above, all the onsite guide says is that they should be "readily accesible due to the sensitivty of RCD's & MCB's"

 

[Spoon]

Hull City council made a company move an entire block of apartments (New Build) Consumer Units because they never fell between the 450mm - 1200mm zone."

This just applies to control gear that needs "regular maintenance or adjustment". Not quite sure if a CU comes into that category?

 

[Engineer54]

Hull City council made a company move an entire block of apartments (New Build) Consumer Units because they never fell between the 450mm - 1200mm zone. However, as said in posts above, all the onsite guide says is that they should be "readily accesible due to the sensitivty of RCD's & MCB's"

The only way they would have gotten away with that one, is if it was specified in the contracts electrical specification. Then there would have been no question about it, as the electrical contractor would have needed a change order to deviate from that contract specification...

 

[telectrix]

why do you think that MCBs and RCDs are up for on. it's so that people in wheelchairs can reset them with a walking stick or pool cue.

 

[needasparks]

going a bit sideways on the topic sure i remember seeing in building regs some time ago (maybe dropped now) electrical equipment (sockets etc) in a garage must not be lower than 1.5mts, something about possible fuel vapour. This was about 6 yrs ago. Anyone remember it ?

 

[Richard Burns]

There is a note in guidance note 3, really relating to the inspection of accessible items, states that accessiblity can be considered to be within 3m from the floor or where someone can stand; which really opens things out.

However part M of the building regs does not mention consumer units only wall mounted switches and socket outlets.
However for access to facilities in non dwellings they do state:
Switches, outlets and controls will satisfy Requirement M1 (reasonable provision for access to and use of facilities) if:
a. wall-mounted socket outlets, telephone points and TV sockets are located between 400mm and 1000mm above the floor, with a preference for the lower end of the range;
b. switches for permanently wired appliances are located between 400mm and 1200mm above the floor, unless needed at a higher level for particular appliances;
c. all switches and controls that require precise hand movements are located between 750mm and 1200mm above the floor;
d. simple push button controls that require limited dexterity are not more than 1200mm above the floor;

All the Part M1 bits are for new build and not existing, material alterations or extensions to buildings.

So i would say there are no specific regulations relating to what you propose.
Bit pointless me listing all this lot then really wasn't it, thanks for reading!

 

[roukel01]

The only way they would have gotten away with that one, is if it was specified in the contracts electrical specification. Then there would have been no question about it, as the electrical contractor would have needed a change order to deviate from that contract specification...

I don't know much more than I've put here, it was something that got brought up by people when I was doing a course.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

I've seen a great one, an Old house with a fitted kitchen, in the corner, behind the fitted kitchen is an extra 2 feet of space. At the back of this in the wall are several KMF's, and two Dbs. Old rewireables too.

The laughable thing was someone had cut a small hatch in the back of the corner unit but this just seemed to be to wind me up- even if I had 6 foot 6 inch , 22kg 14 year old with unfeasibly long arms you still couldnt reach anything , even just to switch off.


Couldn't believe just how idiotic someone could be, or failing that, spiteful?



t some pictures somewhere will post if can work out how to (not very IT literate)
Oh And another house where there was a fault (house medaevil, spelt wrong i know) and behind a kitchen cab (again you could just see through the stop cock hole, a blinking great room full of sockets clipped to wall. No access at all. All plastered over, no door.