Socket near sink, to blank or not to blank!

[steve-ef]

I've got a socket which is a bit too close to the sink, its above the drainer and it sits closer than the 300mm mentioned on other threads on this forum (long time lurker first time poster!).

What's the best way to remedy this, is a blanking plate considered an appropriate fix?
The area is tiled so I'd rather not have to re-tile it all (as I don't have tiles to match the current ones)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Cid]

I don't think you need to do anything.

 

[Top Cat]

Blanking is fine, just don't use chock block connectors get some 32 Amp maintenance free connectors.

 

[steve-ef]

I don't think you need to do anything.

local council says different!
they've inspected the property and said its unsafe there and needs to be moved.

 

[westward10]

Can you show a pic of it.

 

[steve-ef]

Can you show a pic of it.

not a great pic but you can see sink and plug!

 

[westward10]

I wouldn't say it is unsafe. Not ideal and prone to water splashes but not a huge issue. How are the council involved is it a council property.

 

[Spoon]

Remove all 'Safety Socket Covers' from every socket. Check to see that they haven't damaged the sockets.
Lots of organisations have banned these, as they can be dangerous.

 

[Midwest]

What is the measurement horizontally, from edge of socket to edge of sink. Note I said sink (or middle bowl), not draining board.

 

[steve-ef]

I wouldn't say it is unsafe. Not ideal and prone to water splashes but not a huge issue. How are the council involved is it a council property.

its a rental, tennant complained about something else and council have gone through the house with a fine tooth comb!
We are going through the list of stuff to do and this is on it!

 

[steve-ef]

Remove all 'Safety Socket Covers' from every socket. Check to see that they haven't damaged the sockets.
Lots of organisations have banned these, as they can be dangerous.

I didn't know that, what damage does it cause?
what should I look for?

 

[westward10]

I personally don't believe it is unsafe.

 

[Spoon]

I didn't know that, what damage does it cause?
what should I look for?

There is a thread on here somewhere.

NHS issues safety alert on socket covers requiring removal from NHS premises! - https://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/threads/nhs-issues-safety-alert-on-socket-covers-requiring-removal-from-nhs-premises.111253/

More organisations have followed suit, like OFSTED...

 

[Midwest]

Have you a yellow blue (equivalent of) Electricians guide to Building Regs? Believe there's some guidance in there, with some pretty pics (as some will say), including measurements, to which I've alluded to.

 

[steve-ef]

Hi All,
Just wanted to say thank you for the responses and sharing your knowledge and thoughts, you've helped put my mind at rest!

 

[Charlie_]

Due to the height of the socket I think it is totally fine up there looking down at everyone.. as long as it isn’t exceeding the maximum installation altitude of 2000m

 

[Midwest]

Thats not funny. This is a serious query.

 

[Charlie_]

I’m being very serious - don’t exceed the maximum installation altitude of 2000m

 

[magnoliafan89]

I had a simular situation with work. Normally i blank them off as they class them as c2. But the one property i was asked by my boss is there many sockets in the kitchen...no?...well then just class this one as a c3...
All depends if the user wants to be stupid and poke their wet finger in

 

[Silly Sausage]

its a rental, tennant complained about something else and council have gone through the house with a fine tooth comb!
We are going through the list of stuff to do and this is on it!

Councils complain that they're short of funding, they could save themselves a shed load by losing jobworths like that.