Are there any requirements for placing new sockets and lights switches at a particular height? There seems to be no such requirement in the 17th Edition Regs; is there something elsewhere?
Yes, its part M of the building regulations. It only applies to new builds and major refurbishments. But also talk to your local building control people to confirm their requirements.
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADM_2004.pdf[/QUOTE]
When did it apply to major refurbishments as well?
I thought that the heights of switches and socket outlets only applied to all new dwellings. For a major refurbishment , like a rewire, there is no requirement to provide switches and sockets at the heights described providing upon completion the building is no worse in terms of the level of compliance with others parts of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations.
It always has depending on how the buidling is being modified.
When did it apply to major refurbishments as well?
That would be easy, wouldn't it - if one mounted sockets at exactly the same heights as the 'existing' ones, those heights couldn't possibly be 'worse (or better) than existing', whatever the definition, could they?There also seems to be a lot of insistence about about mounting new sockets and switches at heights which are "no worse than existing" (however one cares to define that).
Do you mean the page which says that the requirements of Part M do not apply to an extension of or material alteration of a dwelling?Have a look at page 11 of the pdf.
if one mounted sockets at exactly the same heights as the 'existing' ones, those heights couldn't possibly be 'worse (or better) than existing', whatever the definition, could they?
Quite - it's one of those situations for which one size definitely does not fit all. Under those circumstances, I suppose the best that any regulations or guidelines can do is specify a range of heights that would suit 'the majority' - but it would be pretty crazy (and quite possibly in violation of the Disability Discrimination Act!) to have regulations which would prevent one from tailoring an installation to the specific needs of a specific user.That would certainly cover it. Unless one wanted to argue that sockets at a specific height in one location are more or less easily accessible than sockets at the same height in a different location. But all of that is open to the issue which I've mentioned before that what is more easily accessible to one person might not necessarily be so easily accessible to another, since there are varying types of disabilities and restrictions of movement.
(15 months ago )......
As far as LABC are concerned if it is not a new build then the no worse scenario applies.
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