Immersion heater cupboard... law?

Cinders2001

Odd heading I know!
I want to know, is there any law or guideline that I need to know about how big my cupboard needs to be that houses my electric immersion heater please. (Cold fill on top, hot below type).

I am aware that the insulation mustn't cover the gubbins where the wires go in etc and my pipes are insulated with tuby-cover things (love my tech talk!).

But my cupboard (which I can completely open out fully for any needed maintenance to the tank) is not much bigger than the tank itself.

Is that ok?

Thanks xx

Cinders2001

I take it there is no law or guideline??

Mr.Generous

You take correctly, if the cupboard was bigger which room would you make smaller? Never heard anyone ask for a bigger tank cupboard before.

Cinders2001

Mr.Generous wrote: »

You take correctly, if the cupboard was bigger which room would you make smaller? Never heard anyone ask for a bigger tank cupboard before.

Actually the opposite! I've made it smaller!

The tank is 3 feet off the ground on wood 'legs'. Floor to ceiling it is enclosed in a home made cupboard, which I have made smaller as it was 'intruding' into the small room it is located in.
It is now just big enough for the insulated tank floor to ceiling.

Risteard

Are we talking about a hot press here?

Cinders2001

Risteard wrote: »

Are we talking about a hot press here?

No. Read opening post!

Furts

What you have done is unwise and runs counter to accepted building practice. Clearly you have already done the work, and are happy with the situation. When you come to sell you may get adverse comments from viewers, but this depends how carefully they check out the rooms.

Nobody will quote laws and regulations to you, and nobody will take any action against you. They may ask why such a job was ever undertaken!

Gloomendoom

I've always know the cupboard with the tank in it to be called the "airing cupboard" and, as long as the tank fits in it, it can be as big or small as you want/need it to be. You could do away with it altogether if you like the industrial look.

In every house I've lived in, it has been a reasonable size, fitted with slatted shelves and used for storing linen and/or airing recently washed clothes.

Cinders2001

Furts wrote: »

What you have done is unwise and runs counter to accepted building practice. Clearly you have already done the work, and are happy with the situation. When you come to sell you may get adverse comments from viewers, but this depends how carefully they check out the rooms.

Nobody will quote laws and regulations to you, and nobody will take any action against you. They may ask why such a job was ever undertaken!

Well after trawling the building regs, I found no such 'accepted building practice' reference.
If you would like to find me the link I will gladly read it.

There is nothing wrong with the design of the cupboard ... it was 'Home made' to begin with. Nothing has been altered with the immersion heater itself or its pedistall or location.
It's just the box that houses it is smaller.

Cinders2001

Gloomendoom wrote: »

I've always know the cupboard with the tank in it to be called the "airing cupboard" and, as long as the tank fits in it, it can be as big or small as you want/need it to be. You could do away with it altogether if you like the industrial look.

In every house I've lived in, it has been a reasonable size, fitted with slatted shelves and used for storing linen and/or airing recently washed clothes.

Ours couldn't fit a thing in it to 'air', and anyway with all the insulation surrounding it nowadays, there's no usable heat loss to use!

I have to have the tank housed as it's in a tiny bedroom and would look a bit daft and indeed noisy!

Furts

Cinders2001 wrote: »

Well after trawling the building regs, I found no such 'accepted building practice' reference.
If you would like to find me the link I will gladly read it.

There is nothing wrong with the design of the cupboard ... it was 'Home made' to begin with. Nothing has been altered with the immersion heater itself or its pedistall or location.
It's just the box that houses it is smaller.

Buildings Regulations are law, but you, in your title, also asked for guidelines. These almost by default will be outside of the Regulations.


Whether the rule is followed is debatable - it always was despite there being clauses to get round it. The airing cupboard should have a minimum of half metre squared of slatted shelf for clothing. If this requires more than one shelf then so be it, at least 300mm apart on height. Ideally these should be above the heat source, but one has to be pragmatic here.


The other issue is maintenance. All items should be easily accessible, but this is simply a statement of common sense.