fuse board in hot press

laugh gov

My electrician has put the fuse board into the hot press in a new full retrofit bungalow

I questioned him on this as seems crazy to me! But he says its within regulations, and safe. Personally I didnt think water and lecki mixed to well

By the way the reason that it is in the hotpress was because he initially put in a childs bedroom which for me was equally bad

It could have gone into the utility but now that its nearly complete its a big job to move according to him.


Thoughts?

maxfresh

Its against the regulations.

2011

Agree with the above.
Definitely not permitted.

laugh gov

I knew he was full of it. Thanks guys

laugh gov

by the way excuse my ignorance - which regs are they

Just so I can show him

mikehammer67

it's not the walk-in-type airing room no?



hot press not allowed -he should know that if he's registered


it's in the regs section on distribution boards anyhow-one of the locations excluded

laugh gov

No its a normal double door hotpress with two big water tanks

mikehammer67

530.5.4 seems to be the relevant rule on distribution boards

utility is the usual spot for it


but it wasn't contravening regs in the child's bedroom...........

laugh gov

530.5.4 Erection of
Distribution Boards.
A distribution board shall not be installed in the following locations:
-storage or airing cupboards,
- under timber staircases,
-where it may be covered by garments or similar articles ..
-in a bathroom, washroom or we.
A distribution board shall not be mounted over a cooking or heating appliance.
A distribution board installed in areas of increased fire hazard shall in addition comply with 422.2.1


Ok theres not much room in for any clothes but even still I presume two hot tanks and plumbing would count as a heating appliance - correct?

laugh gov

I see that the bedroom is ok from regs point of view - but I dont understand why you would electively place it in there is all the cielings are down and walls are for complete reslab so you have essentially the run of the place

meercat

agree with others too
shouldnt be there
what height has he mounted it
any chance of a pic of the room

mikehammer67

ya pics or GTFO......

laugh gov

Two tanks are roughly 5 feet tall. Fuse board right up the top corner of press.

Will do a pici tomorrow (no lights fortunately leci not live yet)

meercat

laugh gov wrote: »

Two tanks are roughly 5 and 6 feet. Fuse board right up the top corner.

Will do a pici tomorrow (no lights fortunately leci not live yet)

i think your consumer unit may be too high too

2011

laugh gov wrote: »

530.5.4 Erection of
Distribution Boards.
A distribution board shall not be installed in the following locations:
-storage or airing cupboards,
- under timber staircases,
-where it may be covered by garments or similar articles ..
-in a bathroom, washroom or we.
A distribution board shall not be mounted over a cooking or heating appliance.
A distribution board installed in areas of increased fire hazard shall in addition comply with 422.2.1


Ok theres not much room in for any clothes but even still I presume two hot tanks and plumbing would count as a heating appliance - correct?

Do you have an electrical background?
I ask because you obviously have access to a copy of the regulations.

laugh gov

Im going to get this registered leci to move it. Bottom line the regs are there for a reason - its not safe

laugh gov

No leci background - hence Im in this situation

Found the regs on line I just asked professor google search terms something like ireland electric regulations distribution board and 530.5.4

found this link
http://www.reci.ie/Portals/0/FormsForDownload/Procedures/Guidance%20Document%20for%20Competency%20Inspections%20of%20RECs%20-%20V2.pdf

opened up the doc and then alt + f and typed in 530.5.4

laugh gov

Is there an independant person I could get to go and review it or any other suggestions?

2011

Have you used a registered electrical contractor ?

laugh gov

Yes he is supposed to be

2011

laugh gov wrote: »

Yes he is supposed to be

First off confirm that he is a registered electrical contractor. If not he should not be doing he work in he first place.

Next find out who he is registered with, the ECSSA or RECI.
This can easily be checked online.

Before you take it any further I would think it best to discuss it with him. If necessary print off and show him the regulation. Try not to be too confrontational, it is best to sort things out in an amicable way if possible.

laugh gov

cheers thanks for the advice i will try talk to him tomorrow.

mikehammer67

555.6 also refers to equipment allowed in airing cupboard

protective devices are equipment too



if he had the wires left for regulation height he may be able to switch it back to bedroom ?

laugh gov

Another Problem with the bedroom is built in wardrobes on that wall. Which looks like it is also against the regs

mikehammer67

pics

hufpc8w3adnk65

mikehammer67 wrote: »

pics

This

laugh gov

Talked to builder - going to sensibly move to utility

Communication is the key

Would feel bad putting up pics now - Id just feel like id cheated them

2011

Fair enough.
Great to hear you got it resolved.