socket in kitchen cupboard

[ANT68]

can i put a cooker control switch in a kitchen cupboard using a dry line box, the switch would be accessable at all times.Looking for guidance.
cheers

 

[scotsparky]

ant68 A cooker control unit can sometimes

see deffinitions in BRB

as such be classified as emergency switching (Hence Red switch) which has to be readdaly accesable. Read 537.7 p120-121 BRB

 

[bazza2541]

If its in a cupboard, its not accessable.

 

[acat]

I agree the switch needs to be visible and instantly accessible by ANYONE not just the household occupants that know where it is.





Chris

 

[Spudnik]

Kitchen cupboard is fine, as long as it is towards the front and easily accessible.

Done it many times, and still do.

 

[ANT68]

Thanks for the replies

 

[Mac]

Kitchen cupboard is fine, as long as it is towards the front and easily accessible.

Done it many times, and still do.

Agree mate,have done it myself a quite a few times.Have done kitchen rewires and kitchen fitter has asked to have sockets installed in kitchen cupboards.Even CCU in the cupboard because that's the only option.Who is right and who is wrong.They will be accessible if you open the door.

 

[lockhes]

we do this quite often

 

[bazza2541]

I'd get kicked out of my regulatory body for putting a cooker switch anywhere other then in plain sight and not behind or above the cooker.
I'd consider this practice very dangerous and could even be called negligent. I am stunned that its common practice.

 

[Guest123]

Hi.

I knew I'd read something on this somewhere, just couldn't remember where.

Found it now though, this extract is from the NICEIC "Connections" newsletter. Please bear in mind this is only the NICEIC view on it and not gospel merely a guide. Also this is from 2006 so the reg numbers will be different.

Positioning
The switch or control unit should be readily accessible. It should
not be positioned behind or above a cooking appliance such that
a person would have to reach over the appliance in order to
access the switch/control unit.
The horizontal distance between a cooker switch/control unit and
the appliance(s) it serves must be sufficiently short for the switch
to be under the control of persons relying on it for safety. This
requirement is likely to be met if the distance does not exceed
2m.
The height of a cooker switch or control unit in an installation in
a new dwelling should be suitable to facilitate access by persons
in wheelchairs and others whose reach is limited (as should the
heights of all wall-mounted switches and socket-outlets). Based
on the recommendations of Approved Document M, applicable
for new dwellings in England and Wales, the height of the switch
or control unit should not exceed 1.2 m above finished floor
level.
Installation of a cooker switch or control unit in a cupboard or
cabinet is not recommended. Potential users of the
switch/control unit may not be aware that it is there, or items
stored in the cupboard may obstruct access to the switch/control
unit. In any event, wiring and other electrical equipment should
generally not be fixed to a cupboard or cabinet, which may be
removed in the future; they should be fixed to the building fabric.
It is also not recommended to locate a cooker switch or control
unit in a central wall-mounted control panel together with other
switching devices, as this may result in the switch not being
under the control of persons relying on it for safety or otherwise
not being suitably accessible. Where a cooker switch or control
unit is positioned in such a central control panel, then, as for any
other item of switchgear or controlgear, a label or other suitable
means of identification must be provided to indicate the purpose
of a cooker switch/control unit, except where there is no
possibility of confusion (Regulation 514-01-01 refers).​

 

[bazza2541]

Nice find, you have restored my faith in the BS7671.

 

[Mac]

It says recommended,it doesn't say don't do it.Some jobs you go as i said in a previous post,you have to put the socket/CCU where practical.With regards that the customer doesn't know where the socket/CCU is.Won't you inform them when leaving the jobEvery job is different you go to.

 

[bazza2541]

It says recommended,it doesn't say don't do it.Some jobs you go as i said in a previous post,you have to put the socket/CCU where practical.With regards that the customer doesn't know where the socket/CCU is.Won't you inform them when leaving the jobEvery job is different you go to.

I'd go for safe over practical every time. As for informing the customer, what about babysitters? grandparents? emergency services?
I think the acid test for this kind of installation will be in court. Do you think that arguement will stand up in court if (God forbid) someone perished in a house fire or got electrocuted trying to put out a fire on a hob?

 

[Spudnik]

Quite right but they have to prove it.

It also says that kitchen accessories should be mounted at a suitable height for Part M.

I have yet to go in a new build house and see the sockets at reachable heights for the disabled.

The only way that could be done is if the kitchen units were lowered to Part M.

Mind you, probably wont be long..

 

[Mac]

I'd go for safe over practical every time. As for informing the customer, what about babysitters? grandparents? emergency services?
I think the acid test for this kind of installation will be in court. Do you think that arguement will stand up in court if (God forbid) someone perished in a house fire or got electrocuted trying to put out a fire on a hob?

Why would the babysitter,grandparents and the emergency services be using the cooker unless you invited them to house sit while you were on holiday.Sorry mate as i said before,every job is different,and cookers are not always in the place you expect them to be