Regs & kitchens

[Jabbajaws]

Are kitchens considered to be a special location?

I have been led to believe by tutors that they are because it is considered a location where water can come into contact with electricity. (sink, automatic washer, dish washer)

If they are, l cannot see where this is documented in the regs.

Can anyone lend their guiding hand, to point out where l may find this out in the good old red book of knowledge please?

Thanks...

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Not in Bs 7671.....all special locations are in section 7 and they do not include kitchens.
Confusion comes from kitchens being included in part P,but despite being notifyable there are no special requirements.

 

[acat]

Building regs include kitchens and the can and cannots with fittings


Chris

 

[nickblake]

Only addition i can make is that any work carried out in a kitchen is notifiable under Part P

 

[andyb]

Only addition i can make is that any work carried out in a kitchen is notifiable under Part P

I've just done the washing up, do I have to notify this?

 

[nickblake]

If you wore Pink rubber gloves yes

 

[drywax]

Even though its a "special location" does it become notifiable if it is a like for like replacement or replacing a damaged cable ?

 

[acat]

Replacement like for like, repair and maintenance jobs are generally not notifiable even if carried out in a kitchen or special location or associated with a special location.

Quote from building regs page 22

Hope that helps


Chris

 

[drywax]

Thanks for that Chris very helpful indeed and the last question of the day is this....

If I was to rip out a kitchen replace like for like appliances new socket fronts and light fittings without touching the wiring, unless damaged, it falls under non-notifiable?

Ideally whilst the rip out is being done its a good opportunity to upgrade but for tight arse customers who don't want to go that extra mile and the wiring tests ok.

 

[Spudnik]

Yep, as log as non of the sockets are relocated, you are permitted to swap the fronts like for like, then it is non notifiable.

 

[Des 56]

I believe you can also renew damaged cables if they are routed the same

Someone could find and re new many damaged cables in a kitchen without needing to notify that work had been done


Its a special location all right,but not special in the eyes of an electrican working to Iee regs

It is a building reg,so the work has to comply with those regs

 

[acat]

Considering that BS 7671 is not a statutory document and the Building Regs are you would think that kitchens would be a special location in BS 7671 but then why are we not suprised.


Chris

 

[scotsparky]

I've just done the washing up, do I have to notify this?

If you wore Pink rubber gloves yes[/QUOTE



If i wore pink rubber gloves i would keep my mouth shut!!!

 

[andyb]

I think that the building reg's follow BS7671 and that a kitchen is not a 'special location'
It's just that a kitchen falls under the scope of part p in the same way that a 'special location' does.

 

[Jabbajaws]

It is rather odd that with bringing out the new regs, they have not included kitchens in section 7 of BS 7671, when it is clearly, l would say a concern.

I have seen many a time, sockets that have been placed directly underneath sinks, with no IP Code protection against water.

I have also seen a kitchen radial, from a 30A 3036 fuse. The radial is wired in 2.5mm sq twin&earth pvc, which feeds a tumble dryer and a washer on the same circuit. Whoever put it there obviously didnt put too much thought into this.

I know theses two appliances are protected byeir plug top fuses, but im sure that a 2.5mm sq can only handle about 20A before starting to melt. Am l correct in thinking that?

How would l go about suggesting this to IET for the next set of Regs. Are the IET open to suggestions from serving electricians? Or is it a case of some overpaid boffins in a room, who have never wired a plug in their life?