Full re-wire - Height of sockets and light switches

[rayleigh20]

Hi.

Just getting quotes for a full re wire of a 1900's mid terrace miners cottage.

One of the electricians has said the plug sockets have to be fairly high up the walls and that the light switches have to be fairly low down the walls.

Is this true or do these regulations just apply to new build properties.

[Would be good to hear from people that know the regs, rather than just presumptions.]

 

[mwatsonxx]

This can get complicated, are the council involved in any way?

As it is a rewire the disabled rules do not apply, but the new heights should be no worse than the old heights (who is going to know?), also councils have a general requirement that whenever possible all properties should be made more disabled
friendly.

 

[Taylortwocities]

The 1200mm socket height, etc stuff is only relavent to new build properties that must comply with Building Regulations Part M (Disabled Access)
This is the limitation of Part M:

A rewire is not a material alteration, and its not a new building. Like many so-called regulations, this is much misunderstood. And often by our esteemed Building Control officers.

If you have to comply with Part M, you would also need wide doorways,ramp access to the ground floor, pull-cord alarm in the downstairs dunny and much more.

 

[EFLImpudence]

The 1200mm socket height, etc stuff is only relavent to new build properties that must

...and even then it does not preclude accesories elsewhere for specific items and purposes or desires of the owner.

Common sense should be more readily available.

View attachment 127912

Note the word "recommendations".

 

[SFK]

Rayleigh,
As per this web page that uses some nice wording:
https://www.practicaldiy.com/electrics/socket-position/socket-height.php

"Part M of the Building Regulations (section does not actually specify the required position but does go on to suggest that in habitable rooms this will be achieved by mounting the switches etc. between 45cm and 1200mm above the floor level. These rules do not apply to replacement switches/outlets nor to new switches/outlets in extensions to a dwelling, or a dwelling which is being materially altered unless the dwelling previously complied with Part M – however, there is nothing to prevent you from applying these regulations should you so wish. Any alteration to an existing dwelling must not make it less satisfactory than it was before."

SFK

 

[Taylortwocities]

Note the word "recommendations".

Indeed. The extract is from the Part M Approved Document.
So (as is the case with our much loved Part P) this gives ways in which The related to Building Regulation can be complied with.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

One of the electricians has said the plug sockets have to be fairly high up the walls and that the light switches have to be fairly low down the walls.

Probably best not to use him.

Not because of his mistaken idea that there are height requirements, but because if you correct him and have them where you want, you won't be starting out with a good relationship.

 

[bernardgreen]

Ask the customer to bend down and touch their toes. If they can touch their toes then ( provided it is not a new build house ) the sockets can be at any height.

If the customer cannot reach their toes then measure how far they can bend, then fit the sockets a few inches above the lowest they can reach.

 

[JohnD]

you could also ask them if they are intending to live long enough to get a bad back, stiff knees, or to become fat, pregnant or disabled.