Socket height regulation in old home

[Pete999]

I hear that Screwfix are doing some good deals on skirting-board ladders at the moment.

3 or 5 rung ones?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Given that the great majority of items requiring to be plugged into a socket are generally used higher up that the floor - computers, radios, TVs, stereo sets, Satellite, electric clock radios, etc. I think it would make more sense to set an "optimum" level for sockets, say 1000mm or thereabouts. Low sockets as someone has already pointed out are difficult for not only the elderly but also anyone with a mobility issue - I for example recently tore all the ligaments in one knee and you would not imagine what an impact that has for reaching down and bending over even now some three months afterwards.

Higher level sockets would also remove the problems with small children poking things in.

Assuming also that the cables are run in the ceiling void there would also financial savings to be gained as well as associated environmental benefits.

Just me or do others agree ?

You need to speak to a wheelchair user.

 

[45140]

You need to speak to a wheelchair user.

I did actually consult a wheelchair-specific diagram showing the preferred height of electrical items.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I did actually consult a wheelchair-specific diagram showing the preferred height of electrical items.

I’m not saying that all wheelchair users are the same, but many of the ones I have dealt with, prefer low level (300mm) sockets.

 

[Intoelectrics]

3 or 5 rung ones?

you might need "working at height" training for the 5 rung.

 

[Pete999]

you might need "working at height" training for the 5 rung.

Someone footing the base would do, wouldn't it, Dopy, grumpy or any of the 7 dwarfs may be up for some part time working, Hey Hoe its off to work we go.

 

[telectrix]

hey ho, hey ho, it's off to work we go'
with a shovel and a pick and a hairy dick, hey ho, hey ho, hey ho.

 

[Pete999]

hey ho, hey ho, it's off to work we go'
with a shovel and a pick and a hairy dick, hey ho, hey ho, hey ho.

You just had to bring smut into to it Tel, didn't you? funny though

 

[johnduffell]

I recently fitted some sockets in the actual skirting board with the backbox recessed in the wall behind, made good use of the multi tool, feeding cables down behind skirting board to cavity under floor. the skirting was 25cm high, was in a grade 1 listed property. deepest skirting board was just over a foot deep going up stairs and landings, that was on in a old private school building that was being converted to flats.

Surprised you got away with that, that's the textbook definition of "new dwelling" on a change of use for part m compliance. Did you have to get that approved by the building inspector specifically?

 

[Des 56]

Thanks all! Common sense not applied in our basement (all socksts ridicously high ) and was told it was regulation. Wanted to be sure when passing on advise to clients as I am an.interior designer. Thanks again!

View attachment 42920

The Building regulations have been compiled by interested parties after long consideration
Although there are parts that I dispute as not being suitable,they are not meant to be "pick and choose" what suits

The regulations are compulsory for all dwellings,the only difference is older properties being extended can be exempted from specific requirements

If you are going to give advice to future clients,maybe it should be that heights can sometimes be modified away from what is considered the minimum

It may not be wise to refer to the minimum height as ridiculous,you could be slapped on the wrist for being naughty

 

[FatAlan]

3 or 5 rung ones?

I think they do both Pete. Page 135 in the catalogue next to the heavy duty sky hooks.

 

[Spoon]

I have a 13 year old, he is bigger than me already! I said a few years back "The day you can beat me in an arm wrestle I'll give you £100" he was a skinny little thing at the time so I thought it will be a while before I have to shell out some cash. Hmmm... we had an arm wrestle on Friday and it took all my strength to beat him. Obviously I pretended it was easy , kids seem to be so big these days!

My 13 year old lad is nearly as tall as me.... I'm 5ft 11.5 inches.... (Yes the .5 inches is important, as I used to be 6 ft and lost .5 inch somewhere.... )
Luckily he doesn't have the strength of me, or I would be in trouble, as I'm always winding him up...

 

[telectrix]

I used to be 6 ft and lost .5 inch somewhere.

silly bugger. you had your hair cut.

 

[Silly Sausage]

My 13 year old lad is nearly as tall as me.... I'm 5ft 11.5 inches.... (Yes the .5 inches is important, as I used to be 6 ft and lost .5 inch somewhere.... )
Luckily he doesn't have the strength of me, or I would be in trouble, as I'm always winding him up...

Oh, he will have, then enjoy enacting his revenge ...

 

[Spoon]

I used to be 6 ft and lost .5 inch somewhere.

silly bugger. you had your hair cut.

I'm losing that as well...
Not a happy bunny....

 

[Pete999]

I think they do both Pete. Page 135 in the catalogue next to the heavy duty sky hooks.

Ah right thanks for the info

 

[telectrix]

I'm losing that as well...
Not a happy bunny....

i am blessed with a full head of hair. then again with a face like mine, anything positive is a bonus.

 

[Spoon]

Oh, he will have, then enjoy enacting his revenge ...

I've told him that it just runs in the family. My dad wound me up and now I wind him up. He can have kids so that he can then wind them up... (Not just yet though... 15 years time)

 

[telectrix]

tell him if he can beat you at arm wrestling, you'll hand over the reins..... that includes housekeeping, council tax, gas and leccy bills......

 

[Spoon]

tell him if he can beat you at arm wrestling, you'll hand over the reins..... that includes housekeeping, council tax, gas and leccy bills......

I'm cr@p at arm wrestling... I'm better at brazilian jiu jitsu... But he whinges when I get him into arm locks... Apparently "its not fare.."

 

[Pete999]

I'm cr@p at arm wrestling... I'm better at brazilian jiu jitsu... But he whinges when I get him into arm locks... Apparently "its not fare.."

Farrrrrrrr toooooo much information Mate.

 

[Silly Sausage]

I've told him that it just runs in the family. My dad wound me up and now I wind him up. He can have kids so that he can then wind them up... (Not just yet though... 15 years time)

I have three daughters, their tongues get more acidic the older they get.
No physical violence, but damn their withering comments!

 

[Spoon]

I have three daughters, their tongues get more acidic the older they get.
No physical violence, but damn their withering comments!

My lad's comments are good... He likes to take the micky out of me. He has the missus in stitches.
It did get him into trouble at school recently. He was doing food tech and cutting up some chicken breasts. His female teacher said "Your meats big." to which he replied "Don't you know it....."

 

[Pete999]

My lad's comments are good... He likes to take the micky out of me. He has the missus in stitches.
It did get him into trouble at school recently. He was doing food tech and cutting up some chicken breasts. His female teacher said "Your meats big." to which he replied "Don't you know it....."

Cheeky Chappie then is he????

 

[Spoon]

Cheeky Chappie then is he????

He's cheeky with me, but he knows not to go too far... It's a great lad really.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I'm losing that as well...
Not a happy bunny....

A 5ft 11.5 inch unhappy bunny would be a sight to see.

 

[Spoon]

A 5ft 11.5 inch unhappy bunny would be a sight to see.

Is that you secretly asking to see me in a bunny outfit....
I'm game if you are....

 

[magnoliafan89]

Just renovated my house and put the sockets where I wanted. Biggest problem was getting them level with each other when first fixing the back boxes into bare sand stone.

I feel ya!!

 

[bikerchic44]

I’m having my 3 bed house rewired plus a load of extra sockets and power run down to shed. Two of the bedrooms have laminate floor. Getting 3 quotes done. First quote has come back at £3400. I think this is way too low for such a big job. Also this guy told me that I would have to have all the sockets raised to 450mm. My house is 50 odd years old so I’m guessing I should avoid this guy like the plague?

 

[FatAlan]

I’m having my 3 bed house rewired plus a load of extra sockets and power run down to shed. Two of the bedrooms have laminate floor. Getting 3 quotes done. First quote has come back at £3400. I think this is way too low for such a big job. Also this guy told me that I would have to have all the sockets raised to 450mm. My house is 50 odd years old so I’m guessing I should avoid this guy like the plague?

Height only applies to current new builds so not necessary. If you are stripping out the whole house and having walls chased etc for new cables you might like to take a view on socket positions being at a more accessible height? I take it the current sockets aren’t in the middle of skirting and an inch off the floor?