socket height

[lorraine]

Hi everyone,

Please could you answer a quick question for me, is there a recommended height for wall sockets? I heard on tv that it has to be at least 18inches from the ground to assist disabled people but was unsure.

thankyou.

Lorraine

 

[Spark123]

Between 450mm & 1200mm above the floor

 

[plugwash]

its a requirement in part M of the building regs.

However in most situations domestically as long as you don't make things worse part M wise you are not required to make them better. e.g. if the existing sockets are at near floor level then your new ones can be too.

 

[Qedelec]

Make sure the sockets are high enough that the leads on the appliance plugs are not bent double. Obvious but often overlooked.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

its a requirement in part M of the building regs.

However in most situations domestically as long as you don't make things worse part M wise you are not required to make them better. e.g. if the existing sockets are at near floor level then your new ones can be too.

Plug's right. The 450-1200mm requirement (guideline, actually) in Part M only applies to new builds and refurbishments (and essentially, AFAICT, "refurbishment" means that you're starting with something uninhabitable, it doesn't mean normal repairs or renovation).

Extensions are a grey area - you may be at the whim of the individual building inspector.

 

[lorraine]

hi everyone,

thanks for all the replies. I shall put the boxes in at 300mm high (currently bent flex as they are in the skirting). I am planning on doing most of the donkey work such as putting in the boxes and pulling the floorboards up and putting the channels in myself before I get an electrician to come and rewire due to Part P

A bit of an aside but my local building controls charges £90 (for notifiable work) but you have to get your own electrician to come and certify and I can't find anyone that will! So I'm having to bite the bullet and fork out

thanks again.

Lorraine

 

[ban-all-sheds]

A bit of an aside but my local building controls charges £90 (for notifiable work) but you have to get your own electrician to come and certify and I can't find anyone that will! So I'm having to bite the bullet and fork out

They are scamming you.

1) See this: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_buildreg/documents/page/odpm_breg_037024.hcsp

2) Individual local authorities co-ordinate their services regionally and nationally (and provide a range of national approval schemes) via LABC Services. (http://www.labc-services.co.uk).

I recently posed LABC services the following question:

"My local Building Control dept has told me that because of staffing problems they are unable to inspect some building work, and will have to sub-contract it, and that I will therefore have to pay this cost on top of their fees.

Are they allowed to do this?"

Their reply was:

"Building Regulation fees are set to a scale that embraces the whole scope of what may be necessary in respect of checking and approving the plans and inspecting the work. The input necessary can vary according to the circumstances of a specific scheme, but the fees are not variable due to this feature.

The local authority has a legal duty to carry out the Building Regulation function to a proper degree. This can also vary in extent according to the demands of any scheme and considerable discretion rests with the authority. However they are responsible to give a proper service within the fee and cannot charge extra for the reason you mention. Indeed if they failed to inspect yet still charged you might have a case for a refund."