They are always right, especially if you want a completion certificate
extractor fan isolator switch
- Thread starter akist
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They are always right, especially if you want a completion certificate
Unfortunately, that is the name of the game - at least, the game which leads to the quietest life.
Probably true - but that really isn't (shouldn't be) the point.
If you want a 'technical' counter-argument, installing an unnecessary switch adds additional ('unnecessary') 'points of possible failure' - which, in the extreme case, could theoretically represent 'fire hazards'.
Indeed - but it really shouldn't be like that. In a sense they are 'blackmailing' us, by deterring us from challenging iffy views/decisions on their part, in the name of 'a quiet life'!
If, and say IF the regulations were written clearer centrally, then these issues wouldn’t happen
They are clear. Local isolation is not a requirement for any appliance - not even a shower nor a cooker.
You do realise that even fitting the fan itself is not mandatory.
Partially true - but if one wanted to minimise the scope for BCO interpretation/discretion, the regs would have to be much more detailed/'comprehensive', and largely 'prescriptive' - which could introduce a whole new set of problems.
Furthermore, such an approach would considerably reduce the need for electricians to be able to think and understand - which I'm not sure would be all that good a situation!
Not sure I agree with you.
One point to consider it the fan has an over run or a humidistat etc etc and said fan catches fire or gets soaked in water or needs cleaning etc etc a you do not want to turn the light off then a 3 pole switch interrupting all lives and allowing the user etc to carry on safely can be a help rather than throwing the mains off. Put this switch in a not easily reachable place though to deter unreasonable switching off in normal use.As said it is another point of potential failure and might be left permanently off thereby defeating its intent. You can not always win every situation but just develop the least worst of most situations (in theory).
Personally I am on the let’s have an isolation near the ceiling for such things, I am also in favour of having a reliable means of switching off a cooker or shower etc with the switch near and obvious too. In fact for under unit appliances if the plug ends up underneath a worktop am behind it say then I prefer some switch above the worktop- with that one you could achieve a similar outcome But a flex disappearing thru a hole in the worktop would look a bit naff
Personally I am on the let’s have an isolation near the ceiling for such things, I am also in favour of having a reliable means of switching off a cooker or shower etc with the switch near and obvious too. In fact for under unit appliances if the plug ends up underneath a worktop am behind it say then I prefer some switch above the worktop- with that one you could achieve a similar outcome But a flex disappearing thru a hole in the worktop would look a bit naff
You are perfectly free to have these items if you so wish - BUT - they are not mandatory.
Which bit aren't you sure that you agree with?
It's obviously a matter of degree, but the more detailed/comprehensive and prescriptive' are the regs, the less scope there is for any ';interpretation' or 'discretion' on the part of a BCO (or anyone else), since one would just have to comply strictly with the regs 'as written'.
For a start, I'm not sure that I understand your 'qualification', since the same would be true even if the fan did not have an over-run or humidistat, wouldn't it?
However, couldn't say similar about many things? - what about the light fittings in the same bathroom - do you believe that each should have a local 'isolator' so that one does not have to kill the entire lighting circuit should the fitting "catch on fire or get soaked in water"?
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Like a light switch? It would be handy I suppose.
Electrically it's pretty trivial. Physically it may or may not be.
You will likely need to chip out fit a box for the fan isolator, divert the existing cable running to the fan so it runs to the fan isolator instead and then run a new bit of cable from the fan isolator to the fan.
If the wall is not yet plastered, then that is all trivial. If the wall is plastered and not yet wallpapered/painted/tiled it's likely not too bad. If the wall is already finished then it may be difficult to do without damaging the finish.
If I wanted to comply strictly with BS 7671, 'isolation' would have to be DP in my (TT) installation - and none of my light switches are DP
I take it you realise in building regs it is mandatory to provide ventilation in some situations? If natural ventilation is not possible in those situations then ducted and/or forced ventilation is mandatory.
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