Consumer Unit on Stairwell in HMO

[charlie76]

Evening all. I am quoting some alteration work in an HMO where they are adding 2 bathrooms and a bedroom.

The main board is down in the cellar and there is a sub board on the 1st floor landing in the stair core. Its a 'Steeple' board I believe a Denmans branded board. It is in a bad way, front not fitted properly and blanks missing, you can see the bus bar when you lift the cover .

I may or may not be able to get some blanks and refit the cover correctly to tidy it up but, I think I am going to advise the landlord to upgrade to a AM3 compliant non-combustible board as it seems nuts to me that this is on the only escape route from the top floor and it is not in any type of non-combustible enclosure.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. i.e. Would you agree the upgrade should be done? This is a new customer and second job and I don't want him thinking I am creating work but I feel it is unsafe as is. Also I will be modifying circuits which come from this board.

 

[Andy78]

It does not need to be replaced for a metal one to be made safe.
To be made safe the exposed live parts should have been dealt with immediately. What action did you take ?

 

[Wilko]

May want to check with LBC as their HMO building regs may require a CU in a fire escape to be fire rated. And adding circuits may trigger that. Worth a check?

 

[Wilko]

Hi - having cup-o-tea and looked at website of LBC I use (Reading). I think they require a fire rated CU.

From page 4 : "Any electric or gas meters in the (escape) route must be enclosed in half-hour fire resisting construction. "

http://www.reading.gov.uk/media/139...rds-In-Mandatory-Licensable-HMOs-May-2008.pdf

 

[Andy78]

Hi - having cup-o-tea and looked at website of LBC I use (Reading). I think they require a fire rated CU.

From page 4 : "Any electric or gas meters in the (escape) route must be enclosed in half-hour fire resisting construction. "

http://www.reading.gov.uk/media/139...rds-In-Mandatory-Licensable-HMOs-May-2008.pdf

That is for licenced HMOs. Not all HMOs are licenced. I believe the guidance and requirements for licenced HMOs are usually stipulated by individual councils.
The passage you refer to mentions meters, not distribution boards. In this case the distribution board is not the main one so not likely to be near the meter. The passage mentions half hour fire resisting construction, not non combustible. Plasterboard, as an example, will offer 30 minute protection.

 

[Octopus]

I would strongly advise the client to replace the CU. If they don't agree, walk away.....

 

[The Ghost]

I would argue even fitting blanks is still dangerous as you do not need a tool or key to open cover or remove blanks so not safe. So...advise client new CU should be considered to make safe.

 

[Andy78]

I would argue even fitting blanks is still dangerous as you do not need a tool or key to open cover or remove blanks so not safe. So...advise client new CU should be considered to make safe.

What about din rail mounted blanks ?

 

[Midwest]

Last time I tried to remove one of those lid blanks without a tool, I broke a finger nail and had to go to the salon and get it fixed

 

[Andy78]

Last time I tried to remove one of those lid blanks without a tool, I broke a finger nail and had to go to the salon and get it fixed

Aye most are a beggar to get out. Some, like the ones I have encountered in BG garage units lately, fall out with a stern look.

 

[westward10]

Fit a metal board, save the world.

 

[Leesparkykent]

A little off topic but why do the likes of lewden control gear still supply clip in blanks with their boards?

 

[Octopus]

A little off topic but why do the likes of lewden control gear still supply clip in blanks with their boards?

Think so. I bin them and fit the Wylex metal ones you can only ft when the cover is off!