Fuse box and Washer in same room

[ebee]

Not aving the latest OSG or BS7671 I can only comment that a 300mm "Rule of Thumb" was advised for some distances, i.i. a starting point for refence such as for a socket out etc in proximity to a sink etc.
Obviously in a lot of kitchens it would be practically impossible/quite difficult in practice to actually stick to those dimensions rigidly and due regard might be taken to verticals as well as horizontals or even "splash barrires" etc to achieve a reasonable outcome.
Never having seen the Gas Regs nor Water Regs and/or such guidance then again I can only assume that hose "quoting them" might be correct.

 

[ebee]

Is there any point discussing it?

Someone once wrote some rubbish and it is still on the internet.

Are you refering to the "Bathroom Zones" around a hand basin by any chance?

 

[EFLImpudence]

I was referring to the Cook article that you linked.

 

[JohnW2]

Paul Cook says (in your link) ... "Kitchens are not a special location as far as BS 7671 is concerned but they are special as far as Part P is concerned."
But that is not what Part P says.

As you say, that's total nonsense. Indeed, as you know, "Part P" says absolutely nothing specific.

In any event, even if a kitchen were a 'special location' BS7671 says nothing about any "300 mm" separations in relation to such locations!

 

[JohnW2]

No...as you say, the OSG had/ has stuff that in it that was in the regs but is no longer (like the 2m thing about cooker isolators) and the heights may be Doc M,

Not only that, but the OSG has stuff in it (which some people think are 'requirements') which are not, and never have been, in any edition of BS7671.

but in the OSG, it says "building regulations".

It does- and, as you know, "the Building Regulations" says nothing about matters of detail such as we are discussing.

But FWIW, I personally think it's sensible not to have a socket or switch too close to a sink or hob, in the same way as it's sensible not to put CCUs above a cooker top or hob. I've seen both done lots of times.

Sure, common sense is always desirable.

 

[securespark]

So even if the 300mm rule of thumb is not in the regs and may have been banded about by Paul Cook who you don't appear to think much of, can we agree that actually, keeping sockets a certain distance from a sink or hob/ cooker top and not putting CCUs over a hob or cooker top is not a bad idea?

 

[JohnW2]

So even if the 300mm rule of thumb is not in the regs and may have been banded about by Paul Cook who you don't appear to think much of, can we agree that actually, keeping sockets a certain distance from a sink or hob/ cooker top and not putting CCUs over a hob or cooker top is not a bad idea?

Indeed. As I wrote ...

Sure, common sense is always desirable.

 

[SUNRAY]

I thought kitchens were 'special locations' when part P was first introduced.

 

[Sid1968]

I’m planning to turn our study into a utility room. The consumer unit is in this room and I was planning to place the washer reasonably close to it. Is this forbidden by any regulation?
It is still accessible.
I’ve attached a diagram to help.
The main reason for the washer location is that it would back onto the WC sink drain.

View attachment 406056

It is allowed to have a washing machine in the same room as the consumer unit. The rules are about access and moisture risk. You must keep the consumer unit accessible, typically clear space in front of it and no appliance blocking removal of the cover. The washer socket should be RCD protected and not directly under the consumer unit. Keep sensible separation so leaks or steam cannot drip onto it. If access stays clear and electrics are protected, regulations are satisfied.

 

[plugwash]

I thought kitchens were 'special locations' when part P was first introduced.

AIUI kitchens were never "special locations" in the BS7671 sense.

However, they were called out, along with "special locations" and "special installations" in the notification requirements that accompanied part P. These notification requirements have been superseded in england but are still in-force in wales.

 

[JohnW2]

AIUI kitchens were never "special locations" in the BS7671 sense.

Yes, that is also my understanding.

However, they were called out, along with "special locations" and "special installations" in the notification requirements that accompanied part P. These notification requirements have been superseded in england but are still in-force in wales.

Indeed so. The original notification requirements (superseded in 2013 in England but, as you say, still operative in Wales) consisted of a fairly short list of electrical work which was NOT notifiable (with my emboldening) .....

2. Work which -

(a) is not in a kitchen, or a special location,
(b) does not involve work on a special installation, and(c) consists of​

(i) adding light fittings and switches to an existing circuit; or
(ii) adding socket outlets and fused spurs to an existing ring or radial circuit;​

3. Work on -

(a) telephone wiring or extra-low voltage wiring for the purposes of communications, information technology, signalling, control and similar purposes, where the wiring is not in a special location;
(b) equipment associated with the wiring referred to in sub-paragraph (a).
(c) pre-fabricated equipment sets and associated flexible leads with integral plug and socket connections​

It then goes on to define the relevant locations ...

4. For the purposes of this Schedule -
•“kitchen” means a room or part of a room which contains a sink and food preparation facilities;
•“special installation” means an electric floor or ceiling heating system, an outdoor lighting or electric power installation, an electricity generator, or an extra-low voltage lighting system which is not apre-assembled lighting set bearing the CE marking referred to in regulation 9 of the Electrical Equipment(Safety) Regulations 1994[14]; and
•“special location” means a location within the limits of the relevant zones specified for a bath, a shower, a swimming or paddling pool or a hot air sauna in the Wiring Regulations, sixteenth edition, published bythe Institution of Electrical Engineers and the British Standards Institution as BS 7671: 2001 and<br>incorporating amendments 1 and 2.”

 

[ebee]

Sure, common sense is always desirable.

Unfortunately it seems very rarely common!

 

[MidsTW]

It is allowed to have a washing machine in the same room as the consumer unit. The rules are about access and moisture risk. You must keep the consumer unit accessible, typically clear space in front of it and no appliance blocking removal of the cover. The washer socket should be RCD protected and not directly under the consumer unit. Keep sensible separation so leaks or steam cannot drip onto it. If access stays clear and electrics are protected, regulations are satisfied.

As others have said, nothing to say they cannot be in the same room. The socket for the washer and dryer is behind the washer which is where it would need to be. All my circuits are protected.
An electrician came out this week to install 2 extra sockets for when I’ve installed the worktop.
There is only a base unit in front of the CU so it is still accessible.

 

[ebee]

To be a bit "Nit Picky" any base in front of a consumer unit on the back wall effectively impedes the reach of the CU a little bit but unless that mounting height is near to the extent of a ready reach then that difference might, in reality, only be a trifle amount and not worth worrying about.
People are all different sizes and shapes anyway so there is no such thing as a Standard Person.