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During a PIR last week I found that the flat has its washing machine in an alcove/old airing cupboard with no door, in the bathroom. (I am going to try and include a diagram of the bathroom with this post).
It is currently supplied via a dedicated RCD protected /circuit and single socket outlet.
After double checking the regs, it seems it might be possible for it to remain in the cupboard if the following improvements are made.-
1) A solid door with a keyed lock is fitted to alcove (then technically outside zone 2).
2) The socket outlet changed to a switched fused connection unit.
This mainly leaves only the ‘equipment must be suitable for the environment’ reg.
To completely cover myself I am very much leaning towards saying to the owner that they need to re site the washing machine out side the bathroom, and disconnect the circuit. That’s easy to say in writing, and not impossible, but it is a small flat and it would require remodelling the fairly new looking kitchen.
I was at a trade fair last week (Elex2011) and put the question to both NICEIC and ELECSA.
One agreed with my suggestions of improvement above and said it would be ok, but document as such in report, and also said it would be a bit harsh to record as unsatisfactory for one non compliance/code1.
The other said its not permitted due to the fact that the washing machine has been deemed not suitable for that environment (I confirmed this with manufacturer). Saying that although it would be technically outside the zone, condensation would/could form internally etc etc.
Thanks for reading this, and I welcome all views, I need to conclude this asap, and sorry if this has been covered many time before, or posted in the wrong bit.
It is currently supplied via a dedicated RCD protected /circuit and single socket outlet.
After double checking the regs, it seems it might be possible for it to remain in the cupboard if the following improvements are made.-
1) A solid door with a keyed lock is fitted to alcove (then technically outside zone 2).
2) The socket outlet changed to a switched fused connection unit.
This mainly leaves only the ‘equipment must be suitable for the environment’ reg.
To completely cover myself I am very much leaning towards saying to the owner that they need to re site the washing machine out side the bathroom, and disconnect the circuit. That’s easy to say in writing, and not impossible, but it is a small flat and it would require remodelling the fairly new looking kitchen.
I was at a trade fair last week (Elex2011) and put the question to both NICEIC and ELECSA.
One agreed with my suggestions of improvement above and said it would be ok, but document as such in report, and also said it would be a bit harsh to record as unsatisfactory for one non compliance/code1.
The other said its not permitted due to the fact that the washing machine has been deemed not suitable for that environment (I confirmed this with manufacturer). Saying that although it would be technically outside the zone, condensation would/could form internally etc etc.
Thanks for reading this, and I welcome all views, I need to conclude this asap, and sorry if this has been covered many time before, or posted in the wrong bit.