SOCKET & LIGHT SWITCH MOUNTING HEIGHT -Part M building regulations new build, rewires & extensions
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- čas přidán 22. 07. 2024
- The mounting height of sockets and light switches has changed many times over the years. In this video, we explore the current requirements defined in the UK building regulations approved document M.
Electrical installations often combine new and old buildings so how do you approach this common scenario within residential projects.
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❌ This content on this channel is for electrical professionals.❌ ==================================
📹 Presented by
Joe Robinson - Technical Editor eFIXX
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#efixx #electriciansQ&A #bs7671 - Věda a technologie
Good to know this is not compulsory in older houses. Sockets high up on a wall look hideous! I certainly fit new ones in my house at about 250mm - where the old ones are.
Seems like a fair approach. 👍
When discussing things with my architect he said that the magic words were "existing" or "to match existing". Stair inclination, fireplace dimensions and a number of electrical installation things. Remember: "Regulations are for the guidance of wise people and the obedience of fools".
Aren't the socket heights in part M just recommendations, not requirements?
The 'approved documents' provide guidance for how the building regulations can be satisfied in common building situations. They are given legal status by the Building Act 1984. There is no obligation to adopt the solutions presented in the approved documents. The building regulations can be satisfied in other ways.
It’s good you did this video because, before I started to do my own electrics (and get them signed off, before someone starts on me) I had a spark who came round to wire in a radial for a small porch we had done. And some lights.
He insisted that the heights for the two sockets and single light switch MUST match Part M. I told him he was wrong. He was not happy. Nearly walked until I pulled up the Approved Doc on my laptop and showed the “new builds” bit.
He then added them where I wanted them, which was to match the rest of the house.
i bet he felt like a pratt
Your experience with a professional electrician reflects mine. Three sparks in room will have four opinions on why they're right about regs and methods and the others are wrong. Then I download and read and see they're all a bit right, a bit wrong, and all do sloppy work. The difficulty is finding a good electrician
At least he was trying to do what he thought was right. 😊
@@cuebj 3 Sparks in a room! 1 to make the tea, 1 to moan all day and 1 to put the Down lighters in the wrong place and blame the joists.
Differently abled 👏👏👏👏. Respect.
🦾
If I was adding a socket to a existing circuit in a domestic setting in a room I would consult the owner or tenant of the property if it would be a different height ,depends as well if they have disabilities and struggle to reach existing sockets or not.
It would be a case by case basis on existing properties.
On new builds or rewires I would try to keep it at part M Regulation heights.
Good sensible approach.
Hi there. I've got an old flat, and home report for electrical was marked down to a 2 as all sockets are currently in skirting boards. Looking to change skirting boards and move sockets to wall. If I'm moving the sockets do they have to comply with the new height regulation in order to have the electrical part mark to 1 if then selling?
No they can stay as the rest of the house - but in the skirting board isn’t great for plugs which are moulded on to flexible cables
How do we explain with respect to offices and other places where the socket mounted on power skirting are lower than 450mm?
I’m wanting to add a double socket to my hall way, opposite the current double socket which is in the skirting board. Can I add the new double socket to the skirting board or do I have to put it higher ? Thanks
Short answer is no, you are not allowed it that close to the floor period.
Regret not raising sockets in original ground floor when we gutted our 1930s semi. Did raise bedroom and side extension sockets to 750mm - much easier as we get older and creakier. Will raise through lounge if we redecorate before old age proper hits. Too many nooks and crannies to cope with distance from corners limits
Yeah, it is a good idea to make life easier for yourself and whoever follows. 👍
Iv got a question for you or other sparks, Do usb sockets pull more current than standard sockets due to the extra usb outlets? therefore is is safe to put them on a spur from a ring?
yes there will be more need on these bit i dont see a problem as long as the circuit and handle it
Thanks for the video. I was always aware that sockets in new builds were 450mm to the bottom of a socket & 1200mm to the top of a light switch for instance. Do we now need to take advice from Part M over standards in BS7671?
Part M is the document used to sign off building work and is a statutory document so it’s a requirement.
firstly we always go for 450mm but if the customer says that we want that to be matched to exiting height then we go for that
Sounds about right. 👍
What if I am rewiring an old home without doing any extensions, and I want the rewiring to use the same light switch and socket locations. Can the locations remain, or do I need to change all the socket and light switch locations in the entire house?
You can keep them the same.
Where do fan isolators above doors fall into this, I suppose they’re not functional switches, more for maintenance
Yes - your thinking is correct
I’ve done a huge extension. My architect specified the Part M nonsense on the plans. I ignored this and put them where I wanted them.
This is only for new builds.
Is this a reg or building reg for years now we have been fitting sockets 450mm from floor to bottom of the socket not center
450mm to the centre is the lowest allowed so 450mm to the bottom is perfectly acceptable. 👍
@@efixx what is the typical switch height then?
New build and rewirers to building regs ,all other domestic work match existing installation
Thanks for the comment! 😊
Another great video.
Just to ask, as an 18th edition senior learner, are the building regulations free to refer to and where?
www.gov.uk/government/collections/approved-documents
Thanks for helping out. 👍
@@efixx what a strange reply
www.gov.uk/government/collections/approved-documents
No, the Regs have to be purchased as a book or a digital subscription on the IET website.
Here in Germany it's 105cm from the finished floor to the center, for what you call chapter 3 (wheelchair height) it's 85cm from the finished floor. 105cm is easy to retrofit if the door case is installed without measuring it, because it's also the standard height of the door handle and you can use that as a reference point.
That's really smart. 👍
Light switch shoulder hight, sockets centre of your shin ,
For a dwelling for people with disabilities and are dependent on wheelchairs then about waist hight. How sparks actually get the tap measure out and measure the hight to the exact hight . I don’t know any. As specially on domestic installations
Another fantastic video as always Joe
Exactly the reason we have regulations I suppose
@@12000gp if you stand next to any of the lights switches in your house I bet you find them at shoulder hight give or take an inch or two , and your sockets are at the centre of your shin give or take an inch or two,
That’s what I was told by a number of sparks.
That was done here the same way in the old days in Germany. Now it's 105cm from finished floor, and 85cm for wheelchairs. In retrofits no one will measure that precisely, the standard height of a door handle is also 105cm, so we use that as a reference point.
It’s common sense at the end of the day ( when you have it ), try make it useable by everyone, from a normal person to someone disabled or even a kid wanting to turn on the lights.. back home the standard is 1.10m from finished floor for switches and 30cm for sockets in a normal house, worktop sockets also 30 from the finished worktop ( and 60cm away from water point or centre of cooker ).
Always good to get another perspective. 😊
a) Which planning authorities actually check compliance with Doc M? b) Which authorities then enforce it?
Basically, its between you and the customer!
Just providing the guidance.😊
Building control on new build and their insurance company if there is a claim for substandard installs creating a hazard...
If doing alterations or extensions I always match the existing heights. However when doing full rewire I always follow part M, you never know who one day is going to occupy the property and they might be disabled and etc.
Great perspective and approach. 👍
What about for a rewire where there is no extension? Most of my clients don't like the idea of the sockets being so high up. I am used to the height now and see no problem with it.
This is only for new builds.
I am in this situation. I (as the client) specified that the sockets, switches and DB all meet the new regs but could’ve gone with lower heights.
Personally if there is an opportunity to make something better then we should. Isn’t just about disabled people either. Could be an older person or a younger person with a rubbish back.
Also, my sockets are mainly in locations out of obvious sight (behind TV unit or bedside table) so the look is largely irrelevant.
What gets me about Part M is that electricians all seem to miss the bit where a socket at the top or bottom of the stairs is mandatory to facilitate the installation of a stair lift.
The key word is *recommendations.*
I know one guy who built his own house. He would not have sockets half way up the wall. He put them at skirting height. The BCO had no problems. The BCO was fussy on step free access and outward opening toilet doors on the ground floor, that was all.
Most of the electrical regs can be ignored, as long as the installation is safe for users and electrically sound.
You can buy the cheapest and nastiest USA equipment, inc' sockets, AWG cable, and main panels, from their Home Depot, which is all 1930s to 1950s technology, then fit it all in a UK house. No RCD, etc. All is fine. I am not saying do that, just emphasising that the regs were not brought down the mountain by Moses.
I'm from 'Murica. why am I watching this..?
An unhealthy interest in UK wiring? 😂😂
@@efixx I certainly have an unhealthy addiction to UK wiring 😂😂😂
@@efixx maybe it's the way y'all say ferrules...lol!
Because you probably want to see how it's done properly, and not twisting wires together and using a thimble to keep them together? 🤣
height. 450mm sockets
*For disabled people they need certain requirements.
But check the CODE ...
Good advice. 😊
Whatttt !! joe when did you learn to speak Swahili 🥴
😂
Always got taught 9 inches high
Every day's a school day! 👍
Invisible switches and sockets, I wonder how long before you get “where the f**k’s that light switch?
"Planning" YOU MEAN BUILDNG REGULATIONS...
So much baloney. (Not you Joe), but you cannot do a simple job anymore. Yes there were regulations when i was working, but i feel sorry for today's Electricians, their head must be exploding with different regs, standards, part this and compliant that. It makes me glad that i'm retired. Good video though Joe,
It’s just a recommendation. It means nothing. Ask the client or do what’s suitable.
switches under 120cm from the floor? are you all dwarfs?