Consumer unit height when in the garage

[filipe]

Hi,

Can someone confirm whether the consumer unit in a garage (setting up my man cave) has to follow the "1350mm and 1450mm from floor level" rule? It is not clear to me if this would only apply to habitable area.

I'm insulating the place and would like to get conduits in place for the CU.

TA

 

[AndyPRK]

People don’t seam to follow the rule

Don’t put it too low where it will get damaged.

And not too high that you need to stand on something to get to it

 

[EFLImpudence]

Can someone confirm whether the consumer unit in a garage (setting up my man cave) has to follow the "1350mm and 1450mm from floor level" rule?

It is not a rule; it is a recommendation.

 

[ericmark]

Think Part M says:- switches for permanently wired appliances are located between 400mm and 1200mm above the floor, unless needed at a higher level for particular appliances; so it would seem you can mount it where you want as long as there is a good reason. Be it to avoid being damaged by vehicle doors being opened or any other valid reason you can mount at a different height, I was always told you should be able to step back from an electrical panel, and clearly if you need a set of steps you can't step back, but who is going to complain?

I did question putting the consumer unit in my mothers house under the stairs, since not accessible with a wheel chair, however that was where the DNO head was, and that corner of the house there was no where the consumer unit could be mounted as the DNO head was surrounded by wet room and front door even above there was just a void over the stairs, so really no option.

 

[bernardgreen]

I recall from my youth ( dim and distant past ) that all switch gear in a garage should be above the "fume level" to reduce the risk of a spark igniting petrol fumes. That was in the days when motorists kept jerry cans of spare fuel in the garage and used common sense about it.

 

[ericmark]

I was doing some wiring in a BT building, they were very health and safety orientated and we were supplied with a gas meter, in the main for cellars where it was placed on the floor, lowest point, however when working in the battery room, I put it as high as possible, I was criticised for not putting it on the floor, so explained the danger was hydrogen gas, to which I got the reply why is that dangerous, being flippant I answered have you not heard of a hydrogen bomb, and expected him to realise if was a joke, but he said "Oh yes" and walked away, wonder if he ever realised I was not going to split any atoms?

However as to gases I really don't know what gases if any released when charging a car, maybe selecting some middle ground is best?

 

[JohnD]

Of course, hydrogen gas does not sink to the floor.

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

Think Part M says:- switches for permanently wired appliances are located between 400mm and 1200mm above the floor, unless ...

Well once again it doesn't - I expect you are thinking about the guidance publication 'Approved Document Part M'.

 

[filipe]

It is not a rule; it is a recommendation.

Great, thanks!

 

[flameport]

However as to gases I really don't know what gases if any released when charging a car

Only if it had lead acid batteries.

Lithium batteries do not emit gases when charging.

 

[ericmark]

Only if it had lead acid batteries.

Lithium batteries do not emit gases when charging.

Neither should AGM lead acid, but they do. But since it is being converted in to a place to make wine, I assume that is what a man cave is, people love the French, or in my case beer, I don't think there is really a problem with gas, unless having a competition on who can fart the biggest flame, so where ever is handy fit it there.