Bonding Main Water - Distance Question

[experience]

Went to a job today for a new consumer unit. The bonding for the gas & water needs to be upgraded. Now the customer has just had the kitchen done which is where the mains stopcock is located (under the sink), and doesnt want any cables/trunking present on her new kitchen or anything knocked out.

Is it possible to install the bonding to the water at the next convinient place e.g. cloak room meaning that it is outside the 600mm distance from the main incoming position?

 

[securespark]

Not without a departure from the regs.

Why not run it in black conduit outside?

BTW, were there electrical alterations to the kitchen? If there were, the kitchen spark should have done the PEB upgrade. Naughty, naughty....

Explain this to the customer.

 

[experience]

Again i cant run trunking outside - shes dead adament of having nothing visible.

Would i be in breach of the building regs if the board was changed with the departure noted?

Or is simply no bonding upgrade within 600mm = no consumer unit change?

 

[sm1thson]

not only does it break the 600mm but its probably after the first T junction and after the main kitchen tap, so i dont know that you could say the departure would be safe?

is under the floor not accessible at all? ok the bulk of the kitchen may be tiled but if its not concrete you should be able to send the cable under where the pipes are and back up at the CU (ok the bit in the middle may be tricky).

 

[Bill Stickers]

If she is not prepared to have her installation made safe, then you must not do the work.

Explain this to her, and if she is slill not prepared to have the PEBs upgraded, then walk away.

What would happen if your DISQ assessor picked this job and found your work did not comply with BS7671? Is the job worth risking your professional reputation on?

 

[GaryMo]

Our company had a similar situation a couple of years ago. Nice new expensive kitchen meant main equipotential bonding conductor couldn't be connected within 600mm of the main in leaving the only option to bond as close as possible.
The guy installing called the ECA helpline and explained the situation and was told it was fine (not ideal) but make a note on the EIC explaining the reasoning behind the decision.

 

[crystal ball]

544.1.2 .................Where practicable the connection shall be made within 600mm.........

I have seen properties where the stopcock is a tap sticking out of a tiled wall, and the first bit of exposed pipework is upstairs in the airing cupboard so I apply Where practicable

 

[securespark]

:shrug:

 

[GaryMo]

544.1.2 .................Where practicable the connection shall be made within 600mm.........

I have seen properties where the stopcock is a tap sticking out of a tiled wall, and the first bit of exposed pipework is upstairs in the airing cupboard so I apply Where practicable

It also states before any branch pipework. If it enters the kitchen you can bet your bottom dollar there's a T before it enters the airing cupboard.
I would go along the lines of a departure from 544.1.2 with your reasoning.

 

[Bill Stickers]

So do you pick and choose which regulations you adhere to, and which ones you do 'something like' depending on how difficult it is?

 

[GaryMo]

So do you pick and choose which regulations you adhere to, and which ones you do 'something like' depending on how difficult it is?

Bill, who is this aimed at?
It's better to quote the person you're responding to.

 

[Bill Stickers]

Sorry Gary, it was aimed at crstal ball.

 

[crystal ball]

544.1.2 .................Where practicable the connection shall be made within 600mm.........

I have seen properties where the stopcock is a tap sticking out of a tiled wall, and the first bit of exposed pipework is upstairs in the airing cupboard so I apply Where practicable

It also states before any branch pipework. If it enters the kitchen you can bet your bottom dollar there's a T before it enters the airing cupboard.
I would go along the lines of a departure from 544.1.2 with your reasoning.

I agree a departure would be noted