Consumer unit in bathroom?

[crappy]

Folks,

I'm planning some internal alterations and want to convert my study (size of a bedroom but no windows) into a bathroom.

Problem is that the study used to be the kitchen with the main feed coming into it.

The consumer unit is 1ft off the ground, ye olde bitumen cable coming out of the floor to feed meter.

Can I build a special cupboard which is tanked to protect against flooding and pass building regs?

Or flogging a dead horse?

Thanks,
C

 

[chivers67]

I can't see why not tbh, consumer units are always in some strange places. As long as it's protected and safe why not. I'll await for others to discuss...

 

[Echo the husky]

I've seen them in bathrooms too, as long as it is outside the zones, it should be fine.

 

[crappy]

as long as it is outside the zones

Well, it will be within reach of where I want to put a freestanding cast-iron bath. Really - what could go wrong

In all seriousness though - it will be within reach which is why I want to build a (lockable?) cupboard around it.

 

[JohnW2]

Well, it will be within reach of where I want to put a freestanding cast-iron bath. Really - what could go wrong In all seriousness though - it will be within reach which is why I want to build a (lockable?) cupboard around it.

At the least, it must be at least 600mm away from a bath or shower. How long do your arms reach?

Kind Regards, John

 

[Doggit]

Give your local building control a ring. If it's an offence, then whilst you could happily get away with it, it may well affect any future sale. The new bathroom now requires a BC notice and approval.

 

[Lectrician]

It's in this editions of the NICEICs "Connections"...

 

[EFLImpudence]

Did they get it right?

 

[securespark]

Don't suppose that article is accessible by us mere non-NIC sparks?

 

[crappy]

or non-sparks

 

[bernardgreen]

Page 40 of https://issuu.com/redactive/docs/con_aut16_full_lr

Can be done, but with due consideration for enviromental conditions, also must be accessible for test inspection etc so a locked cupboard may not be acceptable

Maybe a lock with a common key ( the triangular meter box key for example ) would be acceptable.

 

[crappy]

Can be done, but with due consideration for enviromental conditions, also must be accessible for test inspection etc so a locked cupboard may not be acceptable

Maybe a lock with a common key ( the triangular meter box key for example ) would be acceptable.

Thanks for that. I know it's doable now with the obvious due consideration. At least I can crack on

 

[bernardgreen]

Hang on !

Note the "due consideration of evironmental conditions"

The humidity in a bathroom is a reason NOT to have the consumer unit in there. The specifications of the RCDs MCB used in the consumer unit are going to have humidity limits beyond which they may fail to operate properly if at all when there is a fault.

Maybe you can have the cutout and DNO fuse in the bathroom but remove the consumer unit to a dry room.

 

[crappy]

So that was my thinking of a sealed (did I mention that? ) lockable door.

The MDF cupboard where it is now backs onto what is, and will remain, the kitchen. The feed, meter and CU is mounted to the shared wall. Could I put a vent(s) below the unit below it venting into the kitchen?
If I specified uPVC-type door which sealed the CU cupboard from the bathroom aspect and it had open vents to the kitchen.

I've got two simple options:

1. Shrink the size of the bathroom by 2 ft so the CU now sits in the kitchen. Lost space, save money
2. Move the feed, meter (digital meter - suspect humidity would be a problem) and CU to the kitchen. Save space, lose money.

I'm trying to avoid both of those

 

[bernardgreen]

So that was my thinking of a sealed (did I mention that? ) lockable door.

Think about when a bulb blows and the MCB for the lights trips OFF. You will then need to get to the consumer unit to switch the lights MCB back ON. Its dark, you need to find the key to the cupboard etc etc.

There are other reasons why you may need to get to the consumer unit without delay.