Just had a discussion with a builder where he told me that metal back boxes have to be fixed at a certain depth. The front edge of the box should be about 3mm depth from the front surface of plasterboard (12mm). I am unaware of any depth requirements regarding plasterboard and metal back boxes, height requirements yes and distance from corners etc. but it is a new one on me as to depth. He did not want fast fix boxes, in case they came out even though the wall was being tiled after the first fix.

Am I missing something or am I dealing with a smart ****?
 
Just had a discussion with a builder where he told me that metal back boxes have to be fixed at a certain depth. The front edge of the box should be about 3mm depth from the front surface of plasterboard (12mm). I am unaware of any depth requirements regarding plasterboard and metal back boxes, height requirements yes and distance from corners etc. but it is a new one on me as to depth. He did not want fast fix boxes, in case they came out even though the wall was being tiled after the first fix
tell the builder you have long screws!
 
the front edge of the box should be just below surface, but there's no stipulated figure. i suppose his reasoning ( if a builder has any) is that the metal box would contain any arcing.
 
I agree really. The metal box should be behind the front edge of the board, but not behind the rear side. I wouldn't even consider fast fix boxes on a new job.
 
Flob-a-Dob-a-Dob.
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It was the 3mm that got me. It is plaster board on a wooden frame and he was placing dwangs across the studs for me to fix my boxes onto. To me there is a good practice rule rather than a precision rule
 
vini ,vinni, why are the builders trying to run shot gun over you .
tell him there is only one way to hammer a nail in!
Tell me about it.

Not so much trying to run over me but he seemed so sure and I was thinking have I missed something with this 3mm rule, as things alter all the time, more in building regs and I don't know everything all the time, which is why I ask. To be fair he was doing the wood butchering. Add to the confusion Scottish and English building regs being different and everybody and their grannie on the job with different opinions in the afternoon than they had in the morning.
 
There’s no rule. He just wants it easier for him. He’ll just run 3mm plaster skim over the plasterboard. That will make your box edge flush with the finished wall level.
 
Appleby dry liners are the best I agree...

But dry liners are for after thoughts, additions, alterations. Not for new build works.
New build? I'd worry about the quality of the build as the plastic plasterboard boxes will be the least of their worries, the badly fitted bathroom, kitchen and skirting boards will take the customers eye of the little icky bit of white plastic behind the cheap socket, it may glow at night when the LED's flicker when someone flushes the toilet............
 

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Plasterboard depth of back boxes
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vini,
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