Application of Part M - full rewire & supply moved

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Please can someone help me out here ?

I've read lots of threads about part M only applying to new build and not for rewire of an existing house but I wanted to check if this was still correct in my case.

I have had an extension built to a 30s house and this required me to need to have my electricity supply moved - it previously came through from my neighbour's loft and was moved underground to enter my porch. So I guess I have a new supply ?

I'm now getting the house rewired to connect to a new consumer unit in new position.

The majority of my sockets are on skirting boards - except for 2 upstairs

Because of style of house ( high door knobs and high skirting boards) I want to keep my switches at current height and wanted the sockets just moved above the skirting board.

The electrician was adamant that part M applies and the switches and sockets had to be at 1200 and 450.

I argued that I didn't think it did apply and he eventually begrudgingly agreed to put them as I wanted but said he'd have to note that it was my request on the final certificate.

The switches have been put at original height but I've tonight come home & found he's put the socket back plates at 450 mm. One of which is now at the height where the side of my bed is against the wall !

My question is - because this is essentially now a 'new' supply - does he have to put sockets at 450mm or am I right to think that because they have never complied with part M that they can be any height as long as they're not less safe than before ? (And I still believe Part M doesn't apply)

I wanted to check before I see him again on Monday .
Thanks
L
 
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Your electrician was wrong - The Part M rules about heights do not apply to a rewire. Whether or not you had a new supply installed is immaterial.
 
Part M applies to new dwellings. If you are having a rewire, then you can improve but no need to comply to part M. I would consider having the sockets moved from skirting though, as these could damage plugs and stress the flex of appliances.
 
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Thanks guys, I'm really not looking forward to 'discussing' this with him on Monday as he was a bit aggressive when I tried to tell him Part M didn't apply At the start
Am I right to think it doesn't apply to the extension either ? Although I wasn't so bothered
 
It seems there have been some amendments since then, not that it changes anything with respect to the issue at hand:

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/partm/approved

The key point is this extract, which is what the actual legislation says:

PartM-exemption.png
 
In an old house, either in the new extension or the original part, there is no requirement to fit the sockets and switches at disabled height.
 
In an old house, either in the new extension or the original part, there is no requirement to fit the sockets and switches at disabled height.

While that is true. I would always suggest those heights to a client on a re-wire. Of course they can say no and give an alternative height if they feel strongly about it.

Its the heights I've gone to at home... The logic is that I'm changing the height of just about everything (heights all over the place) and those heights are as good a standard to go to as anything else... plus they just look right and feel right these days because thats where they'd be in a new build
 
plus they just look right and feel right these days because thats where they'd be in a new build
That's a matter of what one is used to, surely? Perhaps they "look right" and "feel right" to somebody who has always lived in a place with them at those heights, and even to somebody who is spending most of his working time installing them now at those heights. But to somebody who has lived in houses where the sockets have always been somewhat lower and the switches somewhat higher, they'll not "feel right," at least at first.
 
Thanks guys, I'm really not looking forward to 'discussing' this with him on Monday as he was a bit aggressive when I tried to tell him Part M didn't apply
Kick him into touch NOW - things are only going to get worse the longer you keep him engaged.
 
plus they just look right and feel right these days because thats where they'd be in a new build
Perhaps they "look right" and "feel right" to somebody who has always lived in a place with them at those heights, and even to somebody who is spending most of his working time installing them now at those heights. But to somebody who has lived in houses where the sockets have always been somewhat lower and the switches somewhat higher, they'll not "feel right," at least at first.

For me, with crepitus and arthritis in several joints, they feel right at about 1000mm off FFL!


Thanks guys, I'm really not looking forward to 'discussing' this with him on Monday as he was a bit aggressive when I tried to tell him Part M didn't apply
Kick him into touch NOW - things are only going to get worse the longer you keep him engaged.

To avoid any argument, print out and show him the Part M document posted above.
 
Even with a new build where you can show good reason not to mount at the domestic heights you can alter, I know one my son did where bedroom sockets were mounded lower where the bed head would go so then the bed was in place it would not damage sockets.

Also the heights are no good for wheel chair users. In my mothers house the thermostat is mounted lower as she can't read it at the prescribed minimum height. There is also a distance from any corner and where it fails is where the socket is placed for equipment in permanent use be it a fridge, freezer, TV or overhead projector, there are common sense times when it has to be varied. You can still fit floor sockets so how do they comply?
 

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