sockets,switches height

[alpha spark]

Hi guys are there set heights for switches and sockets not got any books to hand as van is in garage I normally put sockets at 300mm to bottom and switches 1300 mm to bottom but doing a rewire sockets are 400mm to bottom and switches 1400mm client wants them at same height wot do u guys put yours at on a general domestic THANKS

 

[sb_89]

Sockets 450mm, switches 1200mm

 

[SteveT]

No regs for refit only applicable to new builds

 

[sb_89]

That's not true , if your rewiring a house you have to comply with building regs (M) .unless it's a part rewire where u can match what is already there.

 

[alpha spark]

Ok thanks I intend to use this job for assessment and don't want him to pull it for that so cos its a rewire it will be ok cheers

Just read your post sb 89 so I should move them

 

[electrician786]

I always put sockets at 450mm from floor to bottom of socket and 1200mm from floor to top of light switch.

 

[circleoftrust]

electrician786 is correct in my eyes thats what i stick to building regs shows it clearly

 

[sb_89]

Yeah move all your general sockets up to 450mm and switches to 1200mm. you can have socket outlets that are dedicated to one fixed appliance ( i.e a tv or projector) at what ever height you want though,

 

[SteveT]

That's not true , if your rewiring a house you have to comply with building regs (M) .unless it's a part rewire where u can match what is already there.

The new requirements apply to:

 

[NozSpark]

Part M of the building regs only applies to new builds or properties that are having a material change, and any alteration should be no worse in compliance in terms of access than is already existing.

So with rewires and extensions you an fit to the same height as they were, but not further away from the 450-1200 limits

Look at page 12 of the approved document M

 

[SteveT]

The new requirements apply to:

 

[Doc Hudson]

That's not true , if your rewiring a house you have to comply with building regs (M) .unless it's a part rewire where u can match what is already there.

That statement is incorrect, unless of course the property is having major refurbishment for wheelchair access, ie. ramps at all entrance doors. doors widened for wheel chair width, bathroom altered to allow a wheelchair to turn 3600. This is another of those electrician urban myths, like saying on a rewire you must fit mains smoke detectors. Socket height's can remain at their existing levels providing the plugs and sockets are not likely to get damaged during normal use. It may be desirable to raise them to the part M recommended heights, but it is not essential.

Doc H.

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 16:08 ---------- Previous post was made at 16:05 ----------

Yeah move all your general sockets up to 450mm and switches to 1200mm. you can have socket outlets that are dedicated to one fixed appliance ( i.e a tv or projector) at what ever height you want though,

You can have any socket an any height you like anyway irrespective of fixed appliances or dedicated items. Look at all your sockets around a kitchen worktop.

Doc H.

 

[alpha spark]

Thanks doc h I'll stick to the 400 1200 in future but this person is being a right pain he thinks we can rewire his house without making a mess I clearly told him floors would be coming up chasing would be done etc etc but only now he sees how much mess is involved he's creating a stink

 

[Doc Hudson]

Hi guys are there set heights for switches and sockets not got any books to hand as van is in garage I normally put sockets at 300mm to bottom and switches 1300 mm to bottom but doing a rewire sockets are 400mm to bottom and switches 1400mm client wants them at same height wot do u guys put yours at on a general domestic THANKS

Do what the client requests, it will not contravene any regulations whatsoever. If or when the client happens to speak to another electrician it will only make you look foolish insisting upon a non-existent regulation.

Doc H.

 

[SteveT]

Do what the client requests, it will not contravene any regulations whatsoever. If or when the client happens to speak to another electrician it will only make you look foolish insisting upon a non-existent regulation.Doc H.

Like you Doc H, I tend to read the regs for myself and not rely on the 'urban myth' approach as it can make you out to be a T*at

I think some read a section and thats it, they dont read the addendums, explanations or notes attached.!

Anyway what about some PV jobs!! (Steve, Bristol)

 

[NozSpark]

Do what the client requests, it will not contravene any regulations whatsoever. If or when the client happens to speak to another electrician it will only make you look foolish insisting upon a non-existent regulation.Doc H.

+1

Alpha.

TBH I don't know where you are getting the 400-1200 from,, the heights for Part M (new build and conversion of use) are 450mm to the bottom of an accessory and 1200mm to the top, with them being 350mm from an internal corner for sockets/switches for general use

 

[hxsarge]

Electricians guide to the building regs great book for all the general building rgs applying to us.

 

[alpha spark]

Noz sorry I meant 450 1200 I've got that book it's really usefull being going to job last 2 days in car has van in garage and left books in van thanks every one

 

[sb_89]

Hang on a moment, I don't think its quite as cut and dry as that. Im not claiming to be an expert on part M but ...

just to adress your point - sockets at work top height comply with part M due to them being above 450mm and below 1200m - so if your complying with part M they cant be at any old height for general use. But this point only applys if part M applies, this is where my confusion comes in ,

If you add more sockets and extra switches(ie 2 way) than there were there previously, are you not making it comply less than it did previously? does material change only apply to a change of use? I think the wording is pretty ambiguous ( as normal)

and im just throwing this out there, but if you have the opportunity to comply i thought you had to? or at the very least you should do it as it is good practise. why would u advise not to do something that can be done very easily , just for the sake of not doing it ? Im not saying what your saying is wrong, by general consensus it seems that it is I who has misinterpreted part M requirements. Its very hard to find a difinitve answer on the web.

 

[NozSpark]

Ok here's what I do.

If I am rewiring a lived in house then I try and keep the mess to a minimum i.e. use existing switch/socket positions, back boxed and whatever conduit is in the wall.

If the house isn't lived in and they are doing a general refurb then I offer to do them at new heights, if they don't then thats fine.

What the regs say is that if the current positions don't comply then you can reuse them, but you cannot go further away from the 450-1200 zone than it's already at