Recessing a Consumer Unit

[Jon Hodgson]

Hi Guys I've been posed a bit of a tricky question with regards to installing a consumer unit into a stud wall the client has asked for it to be recessed back so that only the removable lid is protruding from the wall. But doesn't want to got to spend out on a recessed CU which best price I can get from the wholesaler is about £190 exc VAT before the breakers are considered.

The question asked was am I able to install a Plastic CU into the wall and mount it onto a board between the uprights of the Studs. A board could be fixed in between the studs and a that section left open and free from insulation to allow air flow.

I'm at a bit of a loss to the answer my initial reaction was that its a possibility, but then thought it might be a good idea to use a metal clad board if this was going to be the case.

Any help and suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[beaver74]

your way would work but you would need to leave a biy proud fot the lid to match upto.also there may be an issue with rire rating if the wall is a route for fire to travel ect

 

[beaver74]

KM and some others do a skeliton board for just such a job

 

[Jon Hodgson]

Leaving a bit proud wouldn't be a problem in that case. I dont think that its going to cause any issue with it being a route for fire travel, any more than the rest of the timber frame at any rate.

But am i right in thinking that a plastic backed CU would be a no no then?

 

[needasparks]

Customers ehh, I want this but i don't want to pay for it.

 

[Octopus]

Some customers are down right stupid. They want something non standard but don't want to pay for it.

Give the, a price for a recessed unit and let them decide!

 

[grantr37]

needs to be a purpose designed recessed Consumer unit or forget about it, its all about the fire safety.....it needs to be the £190 unit and he will have to buy that one, if he wants it fancy thats his problem, its all about using as intended by design....

 

[nickblake]

Did it for a 84 year old lady with arthritis her consumer unit was very very old with plug in MCB,s and in a cupboard at high level she stood on a stool to reach it which was mounted on stud wall so i flipped it round lowered it and sank it up to the LID on the CDU sealed all the holes with intumisant sealer she was well happy now she can reach it ,threw in an emergncy light in her hall for free so she could get to the consumer unit when an MCB or RCD tripped

 

[Jon Hodgson]

Indeed they are all working on spend as little as possible and get the most outta it.

Gotta love it when you get handed the paperwork and no one has taken into consideration where you are going to put things like the CU. There's been no consideration for me, on the first visit I got asked to mount it over the main doorway on this new build. Second time in two jobs where the developer seems to think that I need only mount switches and sockets between the 450mm - 1200mm.

Have to bat him the response that its a No and see where the next suggestion is but at the moment its looking like low level in the walkin wardrobe.

 

[Jon Hodgson]

Well I'm going to reignite this one a bit but kind of change the direction. The News did not go down so well but in the mean time he went to the building inspector and asked about over the head of the doorway.

And surprisingly enough the answer came back that it was ok..... So the idea he has is now to put it over there. Now this to me Completely goes against what I was taught with regards to installations being between 450mm to the bottom and 1200mm to the top and Part M M1.

If he wants to pursue this I'm thinking I'll go with it but just note on the CIS as a deviation from BS7671 anyone see any problems with doing it that way?

 

[Richard Burns]

Part M only applies to entire new builds and not existing or extensions.
BS7671 does not specify heights only that they must be suitably accessible for the purpose, so if the customer wants this then go for it. (If building control say OK, they are the gods!)

 

[needasparks]

Not nice when that happens, as it makes the client think you don't know what your talking about when a building inspector can change the rules to suit. sounds like you have done all you can.

 

[Jon Hodgson]

Part M does apply on this one as its a New Build hence why I had to pose the first question. Trouble is I know this building control guy and he will fold under pressure if its wrong. Think its time to get it in writing that its ok to ignore access requirements and make a slight note on the documentation that Ill produce then and just leave it at that.

 

[LineProducts]

I was looking for something similar earlier. Here is a 16way MK for 50 on ebay:

NEW MK SENTRY 16 WAY METAL FLUSH CONSUMER UNIT K6516s | eBay

 

[imago]

You could construct an enclosure recessed into the wall with an air gap around the CU. Timber frame and fireboard back, sides, to and bottom, intumescent sealant where the cables enter the enclosure but no need to do it at point of entry into the CU. This would allow you to sink it completely so that the face of the lid is flush, (customer's requirements) preserve the wall's fire protection, yet maintain a suitable air gap and accessibility for the CU (Regs and BC satisfied).