This is a hypotectical question.......

[Octopus]

OK, just wondering on who people would view this question on the basis of accessibility given the flats are for aged/ disabled people.

Outside the entrance of a block of 4 flats are 2 locked wooden doors. Inside each door are 2 x CU's. So in the event of the RCD tripping, the resident of an upstairs flat will have to get outside clothes on and go downstairs and outside to reset the RCD.

This is NOT an EICR I'm doing but a situation I encountered today.....

My view is C3 as I think the CU should be inside the flat it "serves"

Over to you.....

 

[Andy78]

Incredibly bad design in my view, especially if this site was developed/constructed with this end purpose in mind. Of course any self contained flat should have it's own accessible method of dealing with local power disruption.

The fundamental principles of the regs ask that all equipment should be accessible for operation. Section 3 asks that the division of the installation into circuits should avoid danger and minimize inconvenience in the event of a fault.
At the very least I would expect permanently lit emergency lighting through all routes from the flats to any distribution board.

 

[pcam1984]

I would C3 aswell. Are the flats owned by the residents or let by a care company? If they are owned by a company I would request a site meeting with a senior manager and health and safety rep, explain the situation and ask how they expect an elderly tenant to safely access the equipment.

 

[Marvo]

Is this some kind of sheltered accommodation for old people who can't look after themselves? Is it possible the CU's are deliberately located outside the premises to prevent any tripped circuits being reset by the residents? Just a thought....

 

[Darkwood]

I would need to know if there is a maintenance on hand, a warden etc based on site as this would change the answer for me, also as Marvo mentions, the health and well being (state of mind) of some of the residents may also reflect on the answer.