Socket heights in old house

[wee rover]

Hi Guys,
Just new to this forum and wondering what the rule is with regard to the socket height in old houses. The sockets in question are fixed to the skirting board, (It's an old old house so the skirting boards are bigger than normal), the house was rewired about 30 years ago but the lad who inspected it has old me that everything is ok with the wiring and all the readings were well within scope. He also stated that the sockets do not need repositioned as it is not a new install.


Just looking for some confirmation on this

Thanks

 

[JUD]

He's correct. Regs on socket heights etc. are on new builds only.

 

[trev]

He is correct, even if you were to rewire as it's an existing install then there is no need to have the sockets and switches at a given height. There is the need however, to pay attention to the heights as if they're too low it could stress a flex where it enters a plug top. If the property has a clean bill of health you have nothing to be concerned about

 

[wee rover]

Thanks Guys

 

[Farmelectrics]

Would that include sockets in skirting boards

 

[telectrix]

Would that include sockets in skirting boards

as long as there is enough space below so that the flexes in the plug tops don't get stressed, then it's OK. some scaremongers will say thy're a fire risk because they're fixed on wood, but i ignore them.

 

[joe j]

He is correct, even if you were to rewire as it's an existing install then there is no need to have the sockets and switches at a given height.

Thought you had to comply with height regs for rewire. But will be happy to be shot down.

 

[telectrix]

nope. only on new builds.

 

[trev]

No mate, the height requirement only applys in new build. That said, a lot of social housing rewires have it written into the spec but if you get a rewire to do your client's wishes are the governing factor

 

[Farmelectrics]

Didn't no that myself thought any new rewires sockets had to be 450 mm

 

[JD6400]

The hight requirement can also affect non new build if more than a certain percentage of alterations to the fabric of the building have taken place , a prime example is if the external walls are internally studded then insulated .
There may be slightly more , than just this needed for it to count . But when ever we have rewired along side the builders on some of the estates we work with and they have done this , the architect specs us to compile with the new heights for this reason .

 

[Deleted member 26818]

The height requirement in Part M is just a recommendation, in an attempt to standardise heights and positions.
Part M considers it important to maintain uniformity of heights and positions throughout the installation.
As such wherever an existing installation is extended, unless it is the intention to change the position of the existing accessories, Part M recommends the extended part of the installation conforms with the existing part.
When a new build, re-wire or extension is for a specific user, then the user's requirements take precedence over the recommendations in Part M.

 

[ExArmy]

i've just done a house and most of the sockets on the top 2 floors were on the skirting boards, so low that i coldn't get my plug top lead in when i was testing the ring, had to use a socket & see and put probes straight in! not written the cert up yet but i was gonna give it a code 3.
did they have different plugs "back in the old days" ??!

 

[the pict]

This "rule" has many exceptions, Listed buildings, care Homes, disabled access, schools, workshops, etc, etc, cable /plug top strain is the only consideration I can think of at the mo, but basically they go here the customer specifies within common sense, I mean floor sockets where do they go ?? obviously not at the door thresh, common sense and one eye on the regs
Pict

 

[firemanowl]

I think it came in for new builds to cover the big new estates where the developer hasn't got a clue as to who will be buying them once built.