Cooker Isolation Switch over the hob

[RocketMan]

I’ve been asked to quote to fit a cooker hood and splash back.

Apart from the the wrong paint on wall which is why it can’t been cleaned correct, I saw this little gem.

Why, why oh why? The tiling looks newish so I think the Landlord has done it before he rented the place out. It doesn’t take much common sense to realise this is not good. Neither is the tiling in places 😉

For a property that has had an electrical inspection before letting – I struggle to see how this can be ignored. About 21-22 com from top of the hob to the bottom of the switch.

Any thoughts anyone?

[Martin]

Re: Cooker Isolation Switch over the hob

It appears there are regs for the maximum distance an isolation switch should be but no minimum distance. Instead just ‘safety guidelines’ against the possibility of water and/or steam ingress. 😮

[kaibart]

Re: Cooker Isolation Switch over the hob

Under the gas safety regs this hob should not been fit like this the heat from the hob can cause issues with the electrical socket whoever fitted this has broken the regs and has no regards to following them, utter stupidity

[Martin]

Re: Cooker Isolation Switch over the hob

kaibart wrote:Under the gas safety regs this hob………..

What ‘reg’ covers this?

[kaibart]

Re: Cooker Isolation Switch over the hob

Bs7671 gas safety regs

[philfish]

Re: Cooker Isolation Switch over the hob

Its been a long time since I done my electrical regs but I am sure there is a minimum distance “splash zone” if you will and I have it my head it is 300mm think part p might have something on it aswell
Phil

[stratfordgirl]

Re: Cooker Isolation Switch over the hob

From an electrical safety perspective, there appear to be no specific measurements in the regulations, but guidelines from some authorities.

The latest NHBC guidance (2016) has reduced the minimum recommended horizontal distance between a hob or cooker and an electrical accessory from 300mm to 100mm. This brings it into line with guidance from Electrical Safety First.

The minimum recommended horizontal distance from a sink bowl remains 300mm.

NHBC:

http://www.nhbc.co.uk/Builders/ProductsandServices/TechZone/NHBCStandards/TechnicalGuidanceDocuments/81/filedownload,65380,en.pdf

ESF (Q1.52, Q1.54):

http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/electrical-professionals/wiring-regulations/new,-rewired-and-similar-installations/

I have found the ESF link very useful in the past for the tricky electrical wiring questions that sometimes crop up in relation to circuit protection, isolation and switching.

[kaibart]

Re: Cooker Isolation Switch over the hob

This is a link to what gas saf say the distance should be.http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/landlords/1-a … iances.pdf

[stratfordgirl]

Re: Cooker Isolation Switch over the hob

Updated version here:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/landlords/120814-prevused_domestic_gas_cooking_appliances.pdf

[Martin]

Re: Cooker Isolation Switch over the hob

stratfordgirl wrote:ESF (Q1.52, Q1.54)

Thanks for that. 😀

ESF Q1.52 covers it exactly but I wonder what they meant by…..?

ESF wrote:engineering judgement will need to be applied to determine whether this is safe.

Clearly the photo evidence proves in this case that it is not safe. So why should that be left to “engineering judgment” to decide? If there are specific regs on heights for cooker hoods and maximum distances for isolation switches then a ‘don’t locate in this area’ regulation would eliminate any need for further judgment.

Regulations my a6se!

[RocketMan]

Re: Cooker Isolation Switch over the hob

Thanks to all for your posts, much appreciated.

I also posed this on another forum to get feedback from Gas Safe engineers.

The bottom line,

Electrical rules: Recommended 300 mm horizontally away from hobs, sinks etc, the emphasis being on the recommended. It clearly breaches that both horizontally and vertically.

Gas regs are about safe distances for combustible materials. It’s clearly not a combustible material but is susceptible to heat from the hob. Lots of different opinons but basically it’s not illegal but a stupid placement of the socket.

I’m sure the LL will ignore any advice given. I’m sure the cost of removing the tiles, moving the socket and making good is probably to much warrant it. I’ll do my usual.

I’ll inform the LL via the agents and sleep well at night knowing I’ve tried to keep to do my best despite some blooming idiot fitting it in that position.

Time to move on.

[Author]

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