New build - wanting sockets to be below 450mm

Niv

Yet another reason not to buy a modern house. What a stupid rule.

TidyMax

Replace the word floor with ceiling and you get the gist. Although not all houses have a cast concrete floor, a lot are boards on joists with crawl spaces. Albeit new builds are mostly on cast concrete you are correct. I spend a decent amount of time in them..... being an electrician

lazer

Ruski wrote: »

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


Just saying.


Russ

I think if you are building your own house and aren't in a wheelchair your should be able to have the sockets where you want them.


If someone in a wheelchair moves into the house they can change them.


Social housing is different - I should be made suitable for all, as tenents can and do change.


As long as the wiring is safe, I don't think it should matter where the sockets and switches are - its up to then person designing them.


All the high sockets mean, is people use extensions leads on the floor, so they can hide the wires behind stuff, and generally that's less safe

Dave_J_3

Install where you want/need and use a blanking plate instead of a socket.

Building control can then be told it is an "accessible junction box"

Once moved in, replace blanking plate with socket :T

JustinR1979

Will it have ramps, stairlift and wide doorways too, just in case?

Torry_Quine

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

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?

It's no-where near half-way up the wall!!

We can all at any time become disabled in some way and having sockets at this height makes life easier for many people such as those with back problems for instance.:(

jennifernil

JustinR1979 wrote: »

Will it have ramps, stairlift and wide doorways too, just in case?

Wider (slightly) doorways and staircases, yes. The rest can be added later.

Also ground floor WC and a space suitable for a shower if needed later.....up here in Scotland anyway.

As well as higher sockets, you now get lower light switches. Quite disconcerting when you are used to the higher height!

JulietWhisky

Torry_Quine wrote: »

It's no-where near half-way up the wall!!

We can all at any time become disabled in some way and having sockets at this height makes life easier for many people such as those with back problems for instance.:(

I'm not against these heights, but why does EVERY socket need to be at this height.

In context with what I want to do - I want the sockets lower down in order to push an AV cabinet up against the wall and hide all plugs/wires. The devices plugged into these sockets will be permanently plugged in (unless they go faulty, of course).

I'm all for providing sockets at 450mm that will be used for temporary devices such as vacuums etc.

JW

lstar337

I think Dave_J (#15) has the best solution.

Ruski

gingerdad wrote: »

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

Which is why Stairlifts were invented....