New build house, socket near sink

[dave992]

Morming,

Just a quick question, I’m buying a new build house from crest, on a walk around, we noticed that a socket is placed directly above the draining board. We spoken to the site and been told that it located 320mm away from the sink and that fine, but it located above the drainer, we are unhappy about this, is there anything we can do?

Thanks

 

[Octopus]

The building regs guidance is 300mm from a sink - but above the draining board is simply stupid.

I would ask them politely if they can move it!

 

[hightower]

I would ask them what exactly they would expect you to plug in at such a location for them to install it there. Maybe you can plug in and mount a hand dryer above the drainer for quicker drying. In fact, forget I said that, anyone got the link to the patents office?

 

[Midwest]

Part P 5.2.2 (OSG) refers to kitchen sinks and draining boards, with regard to 300mm distance.

Bizarrely I went to a prospective customer in a recent new build, wanting an extra socket in the kitchen. He wanted the socket put to the right of the draining board, which had about 150mm of worktop to the wall. I declined stating Building Regs, and suggested an alternate location for the new socket. Came back to me later, said he still wanted socket next to drainer

 

[Midwest]

OP I see your new home comes with an NHBC warranty. Could provide them with this link;

http://www.nhbc.co.uk/Builders/Tech...echnicalGuidance/81/filedownload,51128,en.pdf

I guess at this late stage you want be wanting walls and floors butchered, blank plate and some flooring?

 

[Ian1981]

Might be worth asking any neighbors who have the same house type as you if they have a socket in the same position in the kitchen.
If they have then your chances of getting it moved free of charge are slim I’d say.

 

[Octopus]

wago's and a blanking plate?

edit : with the size of new homes getting so small, its getting tough to fit them in as it is!

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

My flat is built by crest in bath and the contractor they used are a well known large contractor in the area. I wont name them!! mine is shared ownership and suits me purely as its centrally located and since gone up a lot in value.
found many a hidden issue lurking in the walls, poorly terminated cables. cables run through walls and all tangled up in the cupboard void above a fire panel. consumer unit with mcb's and different cable sizes to those on the certificate.. I also tested everything and struggle to see how they ever got the results they obtained.
I have since upgraded to all rcbo's and corrected things.
I currently live next to a building site where crest are still working on other properties and i am sure many people have good experiences but given what i see day in and day out. i would be reluctant to spend the money on one of the new build homes.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

My understanding is that the 300mm rule applies to distance from the basin, not the draining board.
Further, the distance can be measured verticaly, horizontally or diagonally.

 

[Midwest]

My understanding is that the 300mm rule applies to distance from the basin, not the draining board.
Further, the distance can be measured verticaly, horizontally or diagonally.

Firstly, apologies to all with my reference to OSG in #4, I was actually quoting from Electricians Guide to Building Regs.

According to the guidance given in 'Electricians Guide to Building Regs' (IET 17th cited here), it does include the space occupied by the draining board. Although its only guidance, this publication seems to be used as a reference to good practise; its referred to in the NHBC guidance I quoted earlier, whom might provided a build warranty for the OP's new pad.

It appears the guidance only relates to the distance horizontally between faceplate and/or appliance, sink & draining board. As most domestic sinks with draining board, could have a movable tap, this seems to make perfect sense.

Of course these dimensions are not provided in the Building Regs (as far as I'm aware), so not statutory, and the guidance given in the EGBR is informative & guidance only.

 

[Midwest]

Apologies OP; I've tried to upload a copy of the relevant pages from EGBR or copy & paste, but I'm just getting an error message. I'll try again later.

 

[Midwest]

Apologies OP; I've tried to upload a copy of the relevant pages from EGBR or copy & paste, but I'm just getting an error message. I'll try again later.

Although as OP's not looked here since posting, don't think I'll bother

 

[Ian1981]

NHBC guidance is from the basin only and not the drainer
Take that how you will.....

 

[Midwest]

That is interesting, I wonder where they have that guidance from. Anyone a copy of the EGBR A3 edition (4th edition)?

 

[Andy78]

Cancel the house purchase immediately !!!!

 

[Wilko]

That is interesting, I wonder where they have that guidance from. Anyone a copy of the EGBR A3 edition (4th edition)?

Here 'tis - only the cooktop dimension has changed

 

[telectrix]

posts #13 and #14 show totally conflicting info. no wonder OP is confused.com.

 

[Midwest]

posts #13 and #14 show totally conflicting info. no wonder OP is confused.com.

Wot you on about, you silly sausage.

 

[Midwest]

So troubled, I rang NHBC to enquire about their amendment of guidance in 2016, i.e. why & where from? They said it was more realistic, and from consultation with their members and partners?

I also rang Elecsa, who said it was still 300mm yada yada. I've emailed Electrical Safety First, to see if they can sink this one with a counter work top argument.

I've had a bit of a boring day

 

[Wilko]

It's great that you've followed up. I get depressed (rather too easily) at how often there is a lack of consistency in often very simple things.