New build - wanting sockets to be below 450mm

JulietWhisky

Hi all,

I have purchased a new build property that is currently in the process of being built.

My AV cabinet is 400mm high and due to building regs, the electrical sockets are going to be placed at 450mm high. I want to be able to push my AV cabinet against the wall and have it hide all the sockets. Obviously I cannot achieve this with the sockets being placed at 450mm high.

The 450mm height is to comply with Part M - http://niceic.com/en/account/media/17thpg7.pdf

My question is, can I ask the developer to place the sockets below 450mm (say 250mm) and to comply with regulations could they then put an isolation switch for the sockets somewhere at 450mm high?

System

That wouldn't meet the Part M requirements because the sockets would not be at an accessible height, which is one of the primary aims.

wallbash

And thats whats wrong with world today...... H/S and stupid building regs.
Yes put some of the sockets at a higher height in the very very small chance that the next owner can't bend down ( rest of us have managed for many years)

Answer lose the socket ( which is at the WRONG height) until you move in. Then run a separate cable at skirting height from a another socket. perhaps one which is hiding behind a curtain etc to run the tv.


Would that be legal

..........who cares!


99.9999% of houses have sockets lower down and run tv off of extension leads.

Ruski

wallbash wrote: »

Yes put some of the sockets at a higher height in the very very small chance that the next owner can't bend down ( rest of us have managed for many years)
.

A little short sighted opinion which doesn't consider those in wheelchairs.. which Part M is primarily concerned about.


Just saying.


Russ

wallbash

Ruski wrote: »

A little short sighted opinion which doesn't consider those in wheelchairs.. which Part M is primarily concerned about.


Just saying.


Russ

So being in a wheel chair makes you suffer a badly placed socket.?
As I posted . some ( at least one) in every room is a good idea, who wants to keep plugging the hoover in and bending , but put it in a sensible place.

TidyMax

Have the sockets installed an leave extra cable under the floor. Don't decorate the walls or just plaster/paint. Get building control in to sign off. Once signed off chase whichever sockets you want lower back down. You could have the electrician install the back boxes for the sockets you want. Take the cables into the back box but don't terminate them. Cover them with a 2 gang blank plate. The once building control have signed it off get him back in to terminate the some socket faceplates. This is one of the reasons i avoided buying a new build. It is a ridiculous regulation which only applies to new builds. You could get the electrician to install them lower then add it as an exception to the regs on his test certificate however building control would most likely still pull you.

cyclonebri1

I've thanked both Russ and WB, you both have valid points, but for Krists sake, 450m is half way up the wall, who would want that?

You want them tucked just over the skirting.

Luckily disabled folks are in the minority, this is the issue the regs ignore, why not just regulate to ensure cabling is fitted to allow the sockets to be lifted if ever a disabled person owns the house?

gingerdad

Ruski wrote: »

A little short sighted opinion which doesn't consider those in wheelchairs.. which Part M is primarily concerned about.


Just saying.


Russ

And i'd be killed trying to drag the wheelchair up two flights of stairs to my new attic with the sockets at stupid height as well

JulietWhisky

Created some debate here with some very valid points, so thanks.

The clear answer here is to comply with Part M, all sockets need to be at 450mm (or above). And there is no way around this.

I will talk with the developer about putting the backboxes and wire in place and covering with blanking plates. Although I don't think they are actually going to do play ball.

I think my only option is to move them after I move in.

I am all for Part M - but just have a couple of sockets at 450mm in every room, not every one!

JW.

System

TidyMax wrote: »

Have the sockets installed an leave extra cable under the floor. Don't decorate the walls or just plaster/paint. Get building control in to sign off. Once signed off chase whichever sockets you want lower back down. You could have the electrician install the back boxes for the sockets you want. Take the cables into the back box but don't terminate them. Cover them with a 2 gang blank plate. The once building control have signed it off get him back in to terminate the some socket faceplates. This is one of the reasons i avoided buying a new build. It is a ridiculous regulation which only applies to new builds. You could get the electrician to install them lower then add it as an exception to the regs on his test certificate however building control would most likely still pull you.

If it's downstairs then the cabling tends to come from the ceiling void rather than buried in a concrete floor

cyclonebri1

!!!!!! wrote: »

If it's downstairs then the cabling tends to come from the ceiling void rather than buried in a concrete floor

Well, that's arguable;e in general