Consumer Unit Positioning on New Build Flat (2011)

[oasisman]

I can see the name of the NIC EIC approved contractor who issued the electrical certificate, should I also call them?

I would say the builder and the electrical contractor are to blame here, equally, one the builder shouldn't have had a design which breaches building regulations, and the electrical contractor who installed the consumer unit shouldn't have done as it breaches the regulations. Having said these though, read one of my previous posts on this thread, I have a feeling the boiler wasn't even fitted when the consumer unit was fitted, quite impossible as there is no room, so in defense of the electrical contractor who installed it, to his knowledge it was a massive cupboard space, ideal and fully accessible for the consumer unit. However again, there is one more person/company to blame, whom issued the electrical certificate, either they issued it straight away after installation, or ignored regulations and issued it after the boiler was installed when it was blatantly illegally.

I will also blame the council, aren't they supposed to check as well, or do they just verify the electrical cert. is issued by an approved electrical contractor?

 

[oasisman]

A letter is probably more sensible.

I'll be calling Sutton Building Control again today to complain, and I'll also be calling the builder too.[/QUOTE]

Don't waste your time with phone calls: 3 letters with these photos

1. To Builder
2. To Local Building Control
3. NHBC


Shxt, shoddy work like that needs to be highlighted and reworked so people learn.

 

[oasisman]

I also have another issue which I'll post at some point this week in relation to building regulations.
I can't seem to find the building regs for ventilation in an enclosed bathroom; I feel there may be issues with one bed 1's en-suite bathroom.

I will compose some letters and send them off ASAP.

 

[Octopus]

I can see the name of the NIC EIC approved contractor who issued the electrical certificate, should I also call them?
QUOTE]

Add them to your list of letters for good measure. Keep it polite and to the point. You have a problem and it needs resolving!

 

[oasisman]

This is what I'm afraid of too, I knew you'd say that, but it would be very unsightly in the living room, and wouldn't it be an issue with the reg. only slightly one could argue; the consumer unit shouldn't be in an area where there could be impact...?

I'm afraid to suggest this but on the living room wall directly behind where it is now. That said you'll need a sparky who is a contortionist to do the work. I seriously can't believe this layout has been approved by building control

 

[danzor]

They are close to sutton, actually Carshalton is closer, the flats are in Wallington, opposite the Wallington Rail Station; it used to be an office block; Canon. The builder (who I won't name yet), purchased the building, obviously got the zoned changed to residential, converted it all to flats, and then built another 2 floors on top. At the road side of the building there are 7 duplex penthouse flats, I think these are the only ones that are effected. From what I know, all the single floor flats in the building have 2 closets, one housing the boiler and one for the consumer unit, but due to the fact I have stairs, they put everything under there.

I'll be calling Sutton Building Control again today to complain, and I'll also be calling the builer too.

Ah yes I know the building well, I was surprised how quick they added the top floors.

Was the builder a local contractor?

 

[Octopus]

This is what I'm afraid of too, I knew you'd say that, but it would be very unsightly in the living room, and wouldn't it be an issue with the reg. only slightly one could argue; the consumer unit shouldn't be in an area where there could be impact...?

Well, you can't have it both ways! What about your neighbours - do they have similar issues?? If they do your combined "attack" would be better.

 

[danzor]

It's obvious the plumber came in after the plumber, but copy them all into the same email.

 

[oasisman]

Yep, all 7 duplexs are the same layout.

Well, you can't have it both ways! What about your neighbours - do they have similar issues?? If they do your combined "attack" would be better.

 

[Octopus]

Yep, all 7 duplexs are the same layout.

In which case you know what you collectively need to do then. Nobody can say that the CU/boiler position is acceptable

 

[danzor]

Yep, all 7 duplexs are the same layout.

Who was the main contractor

 

[oasisman]

I'm not sure if it was a local contractor who did this installation, but I obviously know the builder who I bought from and coordinated the effort.

Is it alright to mention the builders name...?

Ah yes I know the building well, I was surprised how quick they added the top floors.

Was the builder a local contractor?

 

[danzor]

PM me I'd like to know, as I'm only up the road

 

[oasisman]

Done

PM me I'd like to know, as I'm only up the road

 

[oasisman]

Well, it's taken nearly 2 years to agree that the CU is incorrectly positioned but they finally have come to their senses.

Here is their reply:

"In respect of the consumer unit. This is not correct and needs to be addressed. I have engaged an electrical contractor who will be providing me with possible solutions to this issue. I can confirm at this stage that we intend to take action in relation to this issue."

This reply is from the very same guy which said it was fine, he even came to my property and looked at it and said it was ok.

 

[Octopus]

Well, it's taken nearly 2 years to agree that the CU is incorrectly positioned but they finally have come to their senses.

Here is their reply:

"In respect of the consumer unit. This is not correct and needs to be addressed. I have engaged an electrical contractor who will be providing me with possible solutions to this issue. I can confirm at this stage that we intend to take action in relation to this issue."

This reply is from the very same guy which said it was fine, he even came to my property and looked at it and said it was ok.

How anyone can sew the position of the CU is acceptable is mad. Did he leave his guide dog in his car?

 

[telectrix]

would the guy who fitted that boiler fit it in front of the kitchen cooker so you could not use the cooker???? of course he would, he's a plumber.

 

[Engineer54]

T

Here are 2 pics:

View attachment 22752

View attachment 22753

That installation contravenes basic commonsense, let alone relevant Building Codes!! lol!!

You'll not get that CU front cover off, not without breaking something... So get something done about this situation, or hope and pray that none of the CU components go belly up, while you're living there!! lol!!

 

[oasisman]

I'm trying, they are looking into it and the builder said they are getting suggestions from contractors.

I'm not sure where the CU can go, if it's behind where it is in the living room, it could be knocked, so that breaches the regulations too. If it is moved to under the stairs (where I've highlighted the green box on the floor plan (see earlier attached in this thread)), that access is slightly restricted, but is probably the best of the two locations it can go.

It's mainly because the boiler (exhaust fan system) is so damn big, if it were 1/3 of the size and installed to the left of the cupboard space, access to the CU where it is would be fine.

T

That installation contravenes basic commonsense, let alone relevant Building Codes!! lol!!

You'll not get that CU front cover off, not without breaking something... So get something done about this situation, or hope and pray that none of the CU components go belly up, while you're living there!! lol!!

 

[Octopus]

Nothing wrong with a cup in the lounge. Many house's are like this. As for being knocked, that's why they have covers.