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socket height

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:41 am
by daveh123
The regs state socket height as between 450 - 1200mm is this set in stone or is there a certain amount of flexibility? As 450mm is nearly half way up the wall (slight exaggeration!!!!).

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:43 pm
by kbrownie
HI daveh123
These are the regs and I agree with you does seem a bit excessive, but should be complied too, it seems daft not too, if the job is being done anyway. Last thing you want is jobsworth telling you to remove and fit correctly The main reason for this regulation is for easy use by wheelchair bound people.

Kind Regards
KB

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:11 pm
by sparx
Hi, don't forget this only applies to new build & 'substantial refurbishment'
if only adding to/modifying original then need only be 'No worse than previous',
[This requirement is from Disability Discrimination Act not electrical regs.]

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 6:51 pm
by uajamesh
sorry to jump in on this post, but sparx, do you know if a loft conversion qualifies as a "new build or a substantial refurbishment"?
Many thanks

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:58 pm
by sparx
Loft conversions are considered as new work locally but it seems to vary with each LABC, but as someone too disabled to reach standard height sockets unlikely to be upstairs anyway!
phone LABC they are usually quite helpful, (suprisingly for gov. dpt!)
regards SPARX

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:27 pm
by ericmark
I seem to remember something about rooms to which visitors could be expected to use. But again kbrownie is right jobsworth is a problem and even if you don't need to mount at the recommended hight it saves the problems with inspectors later.

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:10 pm
by juli-juan
if its a rewire u can keep all the same as before if u are not adding any more new points all new points must be 450mm or below 1200mm all to do with DDA

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 3:37 pm
by uajamesh
Hello all,

Many thanks for your assistance, particularly sparx. I'll be contacting the LABC guys as soon as i finish this reply...