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Part M gives distances for access for example
To be frank much is designed for wheel chair users, and it seems clear the writer has not actually used a wheel chair, with self propelled the rear wheel axle is around 350 mm high, so that hight needs to be avoided for any sockets, as likely to be damaged, and any item over 1200 mm needs to be readable when viewed from below, and items like touch controls need to be visible when eyes are at 1200 mm and 600 mm away, many hobs are invisible at that angle.
Clearly if only assess is up stairs, then not worried about wheel chairs. Yet the rules seem to be the same, and if controls and items needing viewing have been like that for years, then no real need to alter, however swap some thing from some thing which only needed viewing, to some things which also needs buttons to be pressed, and then new rules kick in.
Go into any new build, as see how big the entrance hall is, however this has nothing to do with an EICR, it has to have to do with electrics, and be about the installation, not the equipment, with the exception of lights, and the thermostat, is equipment, not the installation, and is about its condition, not access or ability to view, so it does not cover smoke alarms, they are equipment, or boilers again equipment, or to give it full name, current using equipment, the consumer unit does not use current, so is part of the installation. For some reason lights are included in the installation, suppose only the bulb is current using equipment.
As will all things the inspector must be trained to do his job, and is normally an electrician, not a fireman, or surveyor, I may be able to fix a welding machine, but I am not a welder, as the same goes for other equipment, so the safety officer may say we need a smoke alarm there, that is likely part of his job, but in the main not mine.
I say in the main, as I know in one job we as electricians went around with the smoke generator and tested the smoke alarms, and in others it has been agreed when doing the EICR we would also do the inspection and testing of any in service electrical equipment hard wired, but the results were entered on the equipment register not as part of the EICR.
I have even brushed up some times, even if not my job, but as to what goes on the report, that is only things which are to do with the installation. Even if I do tell the lady of the house her pot is boiling over, it does not go into the report.
Extension leads are normally done with PAT testing, however they are not current using equipment, but again not really installed, so some common sense is required, but can't really fail an installation due to some thing missing. If there are no sockets, simply can't test them, same with lights, or smoke alarms. We may comment you need some lights in here, but we can't fail it for no lights.
there are two considerations, one being able to read the display, and two being able to operate any buttons or dials, with some items like a thermostat, you need both, so in the main have to be at 1200 mm, although clearly my TRV's are much lower, so there are exceptions.
To be frank much is designed for wheel chair users, and it seems clear the writer has not actually used a wheel chair, with self propelled the rear wheel axle is around 350 mm high, so that hight needs to be avoided for any sockets, as likely to be damaged, and any item over 1200 mm needs to be readable when viewed from below, and items like touch controls need to be visible when eyes are at 1200 mm and 600 mm away, many hobs are invisible at that angle.
Clearly if only assess is up stairs, then not worried about wheel chairs. Yet the rules seem to be the same, and if controls and items needing viewing have been like that for years, then no real need to alter, however swap some thing from some thing which only needed viewing, to some things which also needs buttons to be pressed, and then new rules kick in.
Go into any new build, as see how big the entrance hall is, however this has nothing to do with an EICR, it has to have to do with electrics, and be about the installation, not the equipment, with the exception of lights, and the thermostat, is equipment, not the installation, and is about its condition, not access or ability to view, so it does not cover smoke alarms, they are equipment, or boilers again equipment, or to give it full name, current using equipment, the consumer unit does not use current, so is part of the installation. For some reason lights are included in the installation, suppose only the bulb is current using equipment.
As will all things the inspector must be trained to do his job, and is normally an electrician, not a fireman, or surveyor, I may be able to fix a welding machine, but I am not a welder, as the same goes for other equipment, so the safety officer may say we need a smoke alarm there, that is likely part of his job, but in the main not mine.
I say in the main, as I know in one job we as electricians went around with the smoke generator and tested the smoke alarms, and in others it has been agreed when doing the EICR we would also do the inspection and testing of any in service electrical equipment hard wired, but the results were entered on the equipment register not as part of the EICR.
I have even brushed up some times, even if not my job, but as to what goes on the report, that is only things which are to do with the installation. Even if I do tell the lady of the house her pot is boiling over, it does not go into the report.
Extension leads are normally done with PAT testing, however they are not current using equipment, but again not really installed, so some common sense is required, but can't really fail an installation due to some thing missing. If there are no sockets, simply can't test them, same with lights, or smoke alarms. We may comment you need some lights in here, but we can't fail it for no lights.
