Kitchen sockets - 450mm from floor?

[pilsbury]

For my extension, as I read building regs, the kitchen wall sockets do not need to be 450mm above floor as it is an uninhabited room. Is this correct?

I’m clearly old fashioned and set in my ways, but I can’t think of one good reason why I’d want sockets “half way up” the wall?!

 

[EFLImpudence]

For my extension, as I read building regs, the kitchen wall sockets do not need to be 450mm above floor as it is an uninhabited room. Is this correct?

They do not have to be; it's your house - end of.

Nothing to do with habitable or not.

I’m clearly old fashioned and set in my ways, but I can’t think of one good reason why I’d want sockets “half way up” the wall?!

It's supposed to help "people of restricted reach".

 

[pilsbury]

Great stuff. I was reading like it had to be 450mm from ground.

I fully understand this is for people with restricted reach but couldn’t understand why this should apply to my house. Kind of like having to put hand rails in the bathroom..... but I suppose they might come in handy after the pub.

 

[EFLImpudence]

It does only apply to newbuilds and complete refurbishments - so nobody living in them to complain or request otherwise.

It's actually not that bad when you get used to it.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

For my extension, as I read building regs, the kitchen wall sockets do not need to be 450mm above floor as it is an uninhabited room.

They wouldn't in a new-build either, as that would put them below the level of the worktops.

 

[John D v2.0]

Actually it's a minimum of 450mm (plus other requirements relative to corners etc) and a maximum of 1200mm for all accessories including light switches.
But as above that only applies to sockets where it's appropriate and only to new dwellings

 

[Taylortwocities]

....and those heights apply to "habitable" rooms such as living areas and bedrooms. As above, the (Part M) requirements do not apply to other rooms such as kitchens and garages.

 

[John D v2.0]

....and those heights apply to "habitable" rooms such as living areas and bedrooms. As above, the (Part M) requirements do not apply to other rooms such as kitchens and garages.

Yes indeed that's why I said when appropriate. There are so many definitions of habitable floating around it gets confusing. Kitchens become habitable for planning purposes once they get to a certain size, but that doesn't say the socket position has to change.
But I don't see many kitchens where the sockets are higher than that anyway, so it should be within spec.
Special purpose sockets eg for the cooker hood or boiler or door bell can be any height regardless of the room.

 

[JohnD]

On a kitchen, most of the sockets (you need plenty) or switches will be above worktop level, as Ban says.

If you ever become pregnant, old, fat, disabled, or have a bad back or bad knees, you will curse sockets near the floor.

 

[Diver Fred]

I'd say over the worktops no lower than 3/4 of the distance between the worktop and the wall cupboards; under worktops, about 6 inches down from the worktop (and certainly above any water or drain connections).; on unobscured walls the 450mm min is about right.

 

[Taylortwocities]

The 450mm rule is means so that a disabled visitor to the habitable romms in your house could easily use a 13A socket to plug something in.

It is not there to enable a wheelchair-bound person to cook a Christmas lunch in your kitchen.

As above. Its an extension, not a new house. you can put the sockets and switches whrever you want them. most people match the heights in the rest of the house, it makes it easier when you get back from Weatherspoons..

 

[securespark]

If you ever become pregnant, old, fat, disabled, or have a bad back or bad knees, you will curse sockets near the floor.

Well, at least I'm not pregnant.

 

[JohnW2]

... If you ever become pregnant, old, fat, disabled, or have a bad back or bad knees, you will curse sockets near the floor.

... and if you ever become confined to a wheelchair, you might possibly find yourself cursing sockets/switches 1200 mm from the floor.

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnD]

do you think so?

what height do you think your shoulders would be?

 

[JohnW2]

do you think so? What height do you think your shoulders would be?

Interesting questions. I certainly wouldn't have any problem, in my present state, with 1200mm, but I've heard a few wheelchair users complaining. I suppose it's a matter of one size not fitting all, with a good few such people having difficulty in doing things with their arms/hands above shoulder level.

Kind Regards, John