switch heights

[suffolklad]

can some one please tell me the maximum and minimum height of a light switch for building regs

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Strictly speaking, the Building Regulations don't specify a height, or height range.

If you want to read the guidance in Approved Document M you'll find it here.

 

[Mr Winston]

if its domestic new build then your looking at between 450mm-1200mm

 

[suffolklad]

hi its not new build its a house extension i i put them at 1200 at door handle height my daughter will be switching them on off all time and all the other house switches are much higher is this 1200 set in stone

 

[andy]

hi its not new build its a house extension i i put them at 1200 at door handle height my daughter will be switching them on off all time and all the other house switches are much higher is this 1200 set in stone

its for disabled people

has its disadvantages. once had to put all fire alarm call points at 1M. little bastards will be settin them off all the time

 

[suffolklad]

i read part m buy the way ban all sheds thanks it has a pic of the switch at door handle height surely all domestic switches are so low these days are they? thanks for your replies so far

 

[Mr Winston]

have you not told her about the light switch boogie man?

If the extension matches the existing heights of the sockets/switches in the house then it would be ok.

So if the existing are higher or lower stay within the existing limits set.

If you had a newish house the existing sockets/switches should be in the 450-1200 zone so it would follow that you would stay in that zone

 

[suffolklad]

so andy will the bco tell me they are to high if i put them over 1200 hope hes not a little short guy lol

 

[suffolklad]

cheers thanks for that winston a very good reply a pint for that cheers

 

[Mr Winston]

has its disadvantages. once had to put all fire alarm call points at 1M. will be settin them off all the time

if youve got 'little b*****ds' i know you can have the plastic lift covers over the alarm - its not fort knox but its a secondary barrier which is often enough to put off all but the 'nasty little b*****ds' who would probably break a window instead

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Assuming switch cables drop down, and socket cables come up from the floor:

1) Solution to being forced to have switches lower than you want - have a back box higher up, through which the cables pass, plastered over. After LABC sign off, dig out the buried one, shorten the cables, plaster over the lower one, and apply your decorative finishes.

2) Solution to being forced to have sockets higher than you want - have a back box lower down, through which the cables pass, plastered over.
You can work the rest out..

 

[Big_Spark]

BAS..the other solution is to point out it's a private home and Part M only makes recommendations regarding heights, they are not mandatory..so if he doesn't like it "Feck off"

 

[ban-all-sheds]

If in an appropriate context I wrote 'the other solution is to point out it's a private home and Part P only makes recommendations regarding BS7671, they are not mandatory..so if he doesn't like it "f**k off"' what would you say?

But I digress. What you say has merit, but the problem is that you may need the inspector to be on your side - if he's a jobsworth tit and you want a quiet life and a quick completion certificate it may be easier not to antagonise him.

Anyway - Part M does not apply to extensions.

 

[Big_Spark]

BAS..thanks for clarifying Part M..I used that as a comment did above, I didn't make the ffort to look it up..I can never remember which bit is which..apart from P of course..

And your comments about the Inspector are, unfortunately, spot on..However a well reasoned arguement put politiley should do the trick.