Using recess k/o boxes for surface wiring

[Dustydazzler]

Was in an office the other day (recently refurbished) and noticed who ever did the new wiring used standard 35mm recess k/o back boxes

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on the surface and fitted stainless steel face plates to them..
I think they were trying to achieve a certain look but imo recess boxes shouldn't be used on the surface as don't really meet the IP rating.
Thoughts....?

 

[Andy78]

Thoughts....?

Utter mess and should be rectified.

 

[littlespark]

That must look awful.
What was wrong with metalclad surface boxes if they were after an “industrial” look

 

[Dustydazzler]

That must look awful.
What was wrong with metalclad surface boxes if they were after an “industrial” look

It looks a right mish mash

20mm white plastic conduit into a ko box with a stainless front plate which overlaps the ko box...

It was by all accounts a polish builder who wired it all up

 

[Andy78]

It looks a right mish mash

20mm white plastic conduit into a ko box with a stainless front plate which overlaps the ko box...

It was by all accounts a polish builder who wired it all up

After that description I'm going for incompetence over trying to achieve a look.

Offer your concerns and an inspection ?

 

[snowhead]

Maybe the plasterer is on his way,, with a BIG bag of plaster.

 

[Wilko]

Sounds ugly, but I’d love to see it ...

Just for fun, I looked up some product specifications -

The Appleby flush mounted back boxes seem to be under “BS 4662:2006 Boxes for flush mounting of electrical accessories - requirements, test methods and dimensions”.

The MK metal surface box seems to be under “BS 5733:2010 General requirements for electrical accessories”.

I don’t have copies of those standards, but I’ll bet the flush mounted boxes are not tested for surface impacts. And their “folded up” design just doesn’t seem right to be surface mounted. Also, it seems pretty clear from the Standard‘s title they expected them to be flush mounted.

On the other hand, the MK metal surface box doco points out the product’s high impact protection.

 

[Dustydazzler]

After that description I'm going for incompetence over trying to achieve a look.

Offer your concerns and an inspection ?

I was there for a non electrical visit , I just have a terrible habit of ‘checking out’ the wiring if I’m in a new place.
Couldn’t help but notice the expansive use of KO boxes and got chatting to the lady on the front desk who mentioned that had just had some polish builders in refurbishing the building.

 

[hasel5]

Hope the wiring was in singles to keep the look ?

 

[Pete999]

Utter mess and should be rectified.

Agree rough as old boots

 

[jackhammerJIM]

What a laugh .

Not seen it bodged like that myself but have seen on numerous occasions surface boxes recessed into plaster

 

[MJPD29]

That sounds horrendous they are ugly things

 

[Risteard]

What a laugh .

Not seen it bodged like that myself but have seen on numerous occasions surface boxes recessed into plaster

Unfortunately I've seen it numerous times. I assume cluelessness is the cause, unless it's about saving money.

 

[DPG]

Any photos?

(of the back boxes before any smart comments )

Edit : the back boxes of the sockets. Can't be too careful on here

 

[Midwest]

Don’t think flush boxes mounted on the surface, would meet the appropriate IP rating, would it? Thinking of the way the faceplate fixing lug is formed.