Socket/switch heights in new build.

[SSE]

Ok, I may be picking this up wrong or being a bit blonde but on the drawings it says light switches to be positioned between 900mm & 1100mm. Now the last time I worked on a new build it was 1200mm max height light switch. Looked up the Scottish building regs & it says "Electrical fixtures Outlets and controls of electrical fixtures and systems should be positioned at least 350 mm from any internal corner, projecting wall or similar obstruction and, unless the need for a higher location can be demonstrated, not more than 1.2 m above the floor level. This would include fixtures such as sockets, switches, fire alarm call points and timer controls or programmers. Within this height range: light switches should be positioned at a height of between 900 mm and 1.1 m above floor level." The last sentence says 1.1m above floor level but earlier in regs you'll see it says "not more than 1.2m above the floor level. So what height is the maximum??

 

[telectrix]

1.2m is the max. height. unless other considerations override.

 

[Leesparkykent]

I'm not sure on Scottish building regs but in England approved document M states

View attachment 35723

 

[bigspark17]

The 1200-450 height (part m) would be for general switching and socket outlets,, fan isolators & outside sensor lights ect can be positioned outside this.

 

[DavidSpark]

From my reading off that, it seems that everything excluding light switching should not be more than 1200mm, but light switches as their own separate entity should be between 900-1100mm

 

[The Ghost]

The whole idea of these suggested heights are based on a person in a wheelchair and accessibility for them. Where a client elects to have a specific height other than these suggested heights, as far as I understand it, it should be noted on the EIC. Frankly as a more "mature" person, I hate sockets down low behind all the equipment and even 450mm is a bit low with my back the way it is! In my house they go in at 750mm ish.

 

[SSE]

Thanks for your replies folks. David Spark that was kind of what I took from it, problem being I didn't realise this change when I'd wired it. I'd always went by the 450mm-1200mm & nobody ever said any different. I only picked up on it yesterday but the bloody painters have been in a & cables are already out at heights for 1200mm!! I know someone else who took them out at this height recently & nothing was said so hopefully local authority doesn't pick up on it for completion certificate.

 

[Deleted member 93172]

As the switch and socket heights are for accessibility of wheelchair user's do you put room stats at the same height, I ask this as I have had a few issue's with plumbers regarding this height of 1200 with them?.

 

[Midwest]

I always thought they should be mounted at 1500mm, so to effectively maintain the airflow around the stat. However, it seems with the new carlos fandango internet ready stats, you can place them as low as a coffee table

 

[Pete999]

Part M of the Building Regulations

 

[Deleted member 93172]

Part M of the Building Regulations

When I mention the building reqs regarding my specified heights not all but most of the plumbers seem to glaze over, I have even had one say "The reason its not working mrs is because the stats are too low"

 

[telectrix]

When I mention the building reqs regarding my specified heights not all but most of the plumbers seem to glaze over, I have even had one say "The reason its not working mrs is because the stats are too low"

if they're too low, then turn the buggers up.

 

[Deleted member 93172]

if they're too low, then turn the buggers up.

Exactly