Location for a CU

[BluSparx]

Hi Guys

just after a bit of advice, my understanding of Part P regs is that location for a CU has to fall into the accessibility and covered by Part M of building regs

However I still see CU's installed at the top of the wall in the kitchen say and this is since the introduction of Part P so what's your thoughts on maximum height on a wall as Part M says "should be easily accessible for sockets/switches/accessories" but then goes on to say an easy way to satisfy this requirement is to place between 400mm & 1200mm from the ground.

I am only asking this as I have a client who needs a CU upgrade and is refusing to allow me to install it that low due to having children and wants it as high as possible

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

 

[JUD]

The height requirements of Part M are for new builds only and in any case only states that consumer units should be readily accessible.

I would say as long as you don't have to climb to the back of a cupboard to get to it put it where they want it.

 

[dichroic]

Hi guys, i don't want to step on anyones toes here but the issue regarding the correct height of a consumer unit in a dwelling is not all about the owner of the house having access to it.

Regulation 15 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states that: ‘For the purposes of enabling injury to be prevented, adequate working space, adequate means of access, and adequate lighting shall be provided at all electrical equipment on which or near which work is being done in circumstances which may give rise to danger.’
Amongst the work that generally has to be undertaken at a consumer unit from time to time is measurement of maximum prospective fault current, a test which may give rise to danger. As part of the provisions likely to be necessary to comply with regulation 15, a consumer unit should be mounted at a height which allows adequate access to be gained to the unit for work to be carried out safely.

Mounting the unit at the height referred to (0.75 m to 1.2 m) is likely to be a way of meeting this safe working height requirement.
Other provisions needed to comply with regulation 15 (including adequate working space and light) should, of course, not be overlooked.
Mounting a consumer unit at a suitable height for inspection, testing and maintenance is also necessary for compliance with the accessibility requirements of Regulations 132.12 and 513.1 of BS 7671.

Regards

Dichroic

 

[JUD]

Hi guys, i don't want to step on anyones toes here but the issue regarding the correct height of a consumer unit in a dwelling is not all about the owner of the house having access to it.

Regulation 15 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states that: ‘For the purposes of enabling injury to be prevented, adequate working space, adequate means of access, and adequate lighting shall be provided at all electrical equipment on which or near which work is being done in circumstances which may give rise to danger.’
Amongst the work that generally has to be undertaken at a consumer unit from time to time is measurement of maximum prospective fault current, a test which may give rise to danger. As part of the provisions likely to be necessary to comply with regulation 15, a consumer unit should be mounted at a height which allows adequate access to be gained to the unit for work to be carried out safely.

Mounting the unit at the height referred to (0.75 m to 1.2 m) is likely to be a way of meeting this safe working height requirement.
Other provisions needed to comply with regulation 15 (including adequate working space and light) should, of course, not be overlooked.
Mounting a consumer unit at a suitable height for inspection, testing and maintenance is also necessary for compliance with the accessibility requirements of Regulations 132.12 and 513.1 of BS 7671.

Regards

Dichroic

Hi Dichroic,

None of the regulations you have referred to mention anything about height requirements, only that the consumer unit be accessible for maintenance etc. and there is enough space and lighting to work safely.

This is why I said in my first post "as long as you don't have to climb to the back of a cupboard to get to it"

 

[dichroic]

Hi Dichroic,

None of the regulations you have referred to mention anything about height requirements, only that the consumer unit be accessible for maintenance etc. and there is enough space and lighting to work safely.

This is why I said in my first post "as long as you don't have to climb to the back of a cupboard to get to it"

None of the regulations you have referred to mention anything about height requirements

I only referred to Regulation 15 of the Electricity at Work Regs ??

Dichroic

 

[JUD]

None of the regulations you have referred to mention anything about height requirements

I only referred to Regulation 15 of the Electricity at Work Regs ??

Dichroic

Hi guys, i don't want to step on anyones toes here but the issue regarding the correct height of a consumer unit in a dwelling is not all about the owner of the house having access to it.

Regulation 15 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states that: ‘For the purposes of enabling injury to be prevented, adequate working space, adequate means of access, and adequate lighting shall be provided at all electrical equipment on which or near which work is being done in circumstances which may give rise to danger.’
Amongst the work that generally has to be undertaken at a consumer unit from time to time is measurement of maximum prospective fault current, a test which may give rise to danger. As part of the provisions likely to be necessary to comply with regulation 15, a consumer unit should be mounted at a height which allows adequate access to be gained to the unit for work to be carried out safely.

Mounting the unit at the height referred to (0.75 m to 1.2 m) is likely to be a way of meeting this safe working height requirement.
Other provisions needed to comply with regulation 15 (including adequate working space and light) should, of course, not be overlooked.
Mounting a consumer unit at a suitable height for inspection, testing and maintenance is also necessary for compliance with the accessibility requirements of Regulations 132.12 and 513.1 of BS 7671.

Regards

Dichroic

What about these 2?

 

[dichroic]

Oh Yes, my apologies i did mention those two regulations.

Funny though i cannot see the part where it says you may place a consumer unit wherever you like as long as you don't climb through a cupboard to get to it ??

Never mind i will have another read in the big red book, maybe i missed that part first time round !

Regards

Dichroic.

 

[JUD]

There's no need to get shirty m8.

I'm simply pointing out that nowhere in any of the regs you referred to does it say that a CU has to be mounted between 0.75 and 1.2m as you stated in your post.

The reference to the back of a cupboard was an example of an inaccessible place.

Putting the CU a bit higher up a wall does not make it inaccessible IMO.

 

[mogga]

IMO with a keen climber and feely touchy person of the 2yearold vaiety I have my cu covered with a box made for the location otherwise It would be up on a wall WELLL out her reach( although this placing out of reach has beeen tried with a bottle of Bubbles on top of the freezer n she came through with them Found chair near freezer and brush handle She dragged chair over and used brush to reach it) My point being the descision shouldnt be about an Exact height but Accesability ie in a cupboard ?enclosure so long as the CU is vissable

 

[dichroic]

I wasn't getting shirty m8. My apologies if it appeared that way.

I do worry however that somebody who wasn't an electrician could read your post and literally think that they could have a consumer unit sited anywhere as long as they do not have to climb through the back of a cupboard to get to it.

Is that a fair statement on my behalf ?

Glad to meet you by the way Jud.

Regards

Dichroic

 

[JUD]

Sorry about that, it just seemed that you were being a bit sarcastic.

Maybe think about using the smilies if you want something to come across as light-hearted

Anyway, no hard feelings.

Glad to meet you too

JUD

 

[SirKit Breaker]

My feelings on this subject is that it is another classic case of putting commom sense before regulations.
Put the CU where the customer wants it, as long as it is easy to get at, wont get obstructed or damaged, and remains accesible for maintenance. I do however point out to them that if it is placed in such a position that it may require a step ladder to reach it, it may be OK now but what about in another 20 years when you are in your 70's and maybe not as able. With regard to children, if it is installed correctly then it will meet the correct IP rating and will therefore pose no danger to children or anyone else for that matter. If a parent lets the child play with it long enough then they will poke things in, but who in their right mind would leave a child to play with the consumer unit unattended. surely they have far more interesting toys.

Cheers.........Howard

 

[mogga]

obviously not got Kids then my concern isnt the wean gettin plated its more the wean turnin something off n you not noticing till the fridge produces a pong in the morning

 

[pushrod]

"Regulations are for the guidance of wise men and the blind obedience of fools" or something like that

 

[Des 56]

For ceiling hight consumer units and their location,give this advise and "worry not" about the well thought out and irreconcileable advise by the industry on these matters

Always teach the hard of climbing how to leave the dust cover down, and using their trusted walking stick,how they can reset their rcd or mcbs by the use of this multifunction tool and a bit of pokery


Thats providing their eyes are good enough to locate said consumer unit

If it was so important that accessability was esential with the least effort,then consumer units would be used with a sturdier and less evasive standard of construction,common sense is the best reg to use
On a new build let he who is of greater authority and can carry the can if he wants(the building inspector)let that nice fellow decide