Height of light switch

[DadofTwo]

One other thing, the regs re height of sockets and switches don't apply to kitchens and garages unless a house is being specially built or developed for a disabled person. Was a bit thrown when I found that out because what's the point in making one part of the house "disabled friendly" and the other not?

Me personally, I hate the low light switches because kids can reach them at a younger age and mess about with the lights. I know the same could be said about any socket but they're usually hidden. I understand hy the regs were introduced though.

 

[Shakey]

Hi Dan,

Building regs state no more than 1.2m off ground. For sockets, no less than 450mm off ground.

It is indeed for people with limited mobility. However, unless the house is specifically designed for a person with limited mobility then the above doesn't apply to the kitchen and garage.

For re-wires the height regs don't apply but for a complete refurb of a property the regs are apparently supposed to apply.

Interesting, just wondered where the bit about not applying to the kitchen and garage came from? if its from the Approved Document to Part of the Building Regs, then maybe you have a different copy to me! Be really interested to know.

And no, it doesnt apply to a complete refurb - it is quite acceptable as long as switches and sockets are 'no less accessible than they were previously', so a CU in a refurb wouldnt have to be at 1200, but it would be against the building regs to take it off the wall and remount it in a cupboard under the stairs!

 

[DadofTwo]

Interesting, just wondered where the bit about not applying to the kitchen and garage came from? if its from the Approved Document to Part of the Building Regs, then maybe you have a different copy to me! Be really interested to know.

Had a meeting with the local BCO re a house I was working on and he told me. Don't have anything in writing but BCO was happy with the work and much of the kitchen electrics were out of the normal regs in terms of height.

 

[Grae79]

from Electrician's Guide to Building Regs, section 10.7: "Unless the dwelling is for persons whose reach is limited the requirements would not apply to kitchens and garages but specifically only to rooms that visitors would normally use."

 

[Shakey]

Grae,

and therin lies the problem

there are a lot of books and info out there, but I am QUITE familiar to the Approved Document to Part P, and that clearly isnt in there. The point being, you could follow the installers guide to the building regs, NOT put switches at correct heoght in kitchen and garage and then find it fails its LABC inspection

These books are good guides, but are not authoritive

 

[Grae79]

section 10.7's in relation to approved document M

 

[alex]

i tought they were guidelines and not mandatory.

when we rewire we always use old tubes and cappings and pull our cables down them to original heights.

 

[ian.settle1]

While switches are 1200mm from FFL and sockets not less than 450mm for people who may be disabled. how are people in wheel chairs supposed to access sockets above kitchen units if house was purpose built for them?

Is that the next PC thing to be brought in to lower worktops for short people but I'm 6' 5" and work top tops are only just right for me now. So I'm being discriminated against I beleive.

 

[Shakey]

i tought they were guidelines and not mandatory.

when we rewire we always use old tubes and cappings and pull our cables down them to original heights.

which you are quite entitiled to do because Part M only applies to new builds!!!

 

[Dan]

Just bumping some threads in the Electrical Wiring Theories and Regulations forum category here on our Electricians Forums. If this specific topic isn't current, just ignore it, it'll drop off the list in no time. However, if it's something you'd like to contribute to, feel free to reply and bring it back into current discussion.