Mains wired smoke / heat / CO detector question

[telectrix]

take no notice of buzz. he's a train wreck when sober. gets lucid after a bottle or 2 of Jack Daniels. .

 

[DPG]

A bit of banter can keep the mood of the forum nice and light. Don't worry about it. We generally manage a 25/75 split of useless/useful so not too bad

 

[britishguy4]

If the CU is being moved 6ft up the wall, its not going to be at a regulation height, ie it'll be too near the ceiling. You'll need steps to reset a breaker.

Nothing wrong with using battery powered smokes with radiolink interconnect from Aico for example. More expensive to buy, but saving time on install. (4 detectors, 30 minutes tops) and theres no cables to run under floors etc. No damage to existing decoration.

The only thing not regulation with the board is that its plastic. Buy a metal one yourself and use the existing breakers. Just has to be the same make of board.

Is this electrician already doing work for you or is there a chance of getting other quotes?

Thanks littlespark

The main builder has got his preferred electrician, I've just spoken to him (builder) and explained I'm not happy with the extra £820 and want him to check with building inspector before any of the extra sensor related stuff is started. Apparently building inspector won't be getting involved in the CU debate, it's down to the electrician's governing body so that's thrown up another question?

 

[Wilko]

Hi - there would seem little point in replacing that Consumer Unit. But they are not that expensive. If it's being relocated it will involve the same testing IMHO as replacing so you could consider it I suppose. I'd confirm the brand and type of detectors planned, as there are £10 ones and £60 ones, just saying.

 

[Strima]

As I said before, nothing wrong with that board, it's a better quality one than they would more than likely install and there's no need to update as it's only being moved. Not as if it's an old 3036 board.

 

[littlespark]

What are the schemes take on 'moving' a consumer unit?
It will involve the same work as replacing old for new, so should involve the same testing of cables and connections.

If it was just moving a couple of inches to fit in another piece of equipment, then no disconnection taking place, no need to update board or test.

Its this individual electrician's understanding of the regs.

 

[Yozza19]

So all the guys on here stating they would not change the board what certificate would you provide?
Because you wouldn’t be able to provide an installation certificate
For the cost of a new easy 9 board without breakers it is a no brainier

The smokes he is rong but you can’t beat hard wired for reliability what price on your family’s life

 

[Toneyz]

From my experience on the few extensions, I have been involved with building control have wanted smoke detectors on the escape route and heat detectors in the kitchen.

 

[pirate]

Mini-update-
From tomorrow, 1st March, the regulations change in Scotland, allowing the fitting of 10 year tamper-proof battery alarms, smoke and heat, linked by a wireless connection/radio module, in rented property, where previously hard-wired alarms were required.

 

[britishguy4]

Thanks for the input guys, very much appreciated. Builder has said he's checked with building inspector and the inspector wants to see minimum 2 x mains wired smokes. The heat and CO he's not bothered about apparently. Weird!

The cost associated with moving the Consumer unit is at the interpretation of the electrician based on his governing body and he's not changing his mind on that. He still says we need a new gen-18 metal box.

Sounds like building inspectors have there own interpretations as I'd been given advice from LA building control that wired mains detectors weren't required. The builder is using a private building inspector company.

 

[Strima]

If they want smokes I would go with a combined smoke and CO alarms.

 

[Norah Nabino]

On the face of it there's no requirement to swap out a perfectly good distribution board. It may not be the very latest but is still fit for purpose and a very good make.

As for smokes/heat/Co detectors etc as I'm guessing yours is a private property then there's no requirement for mains powered devices although they are my preferred option.

Has the electrician mentioned membership of any scheme such as NICEIC/STROMA/NAPIT etc?

I would seek quotes from another two electricians, if you know anyone that could recommend one then great if not post up a rough location then I'm sure a forum member would be close by and able to quote for you.

How can you tell from the photo whether the consumer unit is made out of metal??

 

[Wilko]

How can you tell from the photo whether the consumer unit is made out of metal??

Hi - sometimes it's just a guess when looking at a pic, other times you will know the specific unit from experience. In this case helpfully it's written on it .

 

[StephenRowley]

dude get a second/third a quote off another sparkie, best bit of advice given so far

 

[Toneyz]

CU is moving about 6ft up the wall it's currently fixed to, mains cable runs up the same wall.

We've not anticipated any circuits being extended as the current rooms already have lights, sockets, oven etc. circuits in them. There will be some moving of wiring but doubt there'll be additional circuits needed. There are 3 spare module slots in the current CU if that makes any difference.

So why is the consumer unit being moved up the wall?