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Compliance with building regs
My wife has been in a discussion on a web forum about access for the
disabled in new homes. One of the people on this forum is claiming that the majority of house builders are not complying with Part M of the building regs, that they are saving huge piles of cash and getting away with it. Does this seem likely to you guys? I believe that new houses with an NHBC warranty are not inspected by the BCO but by an NHBC inspector. Is this the case and do you think this is likely to have a bearing on the issue? Just wondering really and this seemed like the best informed group available (*) Cheers Mark (*) well it was uk.diy or uk.legal and as this doesn't involve Blunkett or speed cameras I didn't thnk there would be many takers on UKL :-) |
"Mark Spice" wrote in message ... My wife has been in a discussion on a web forum about access for the disabled in new homes. One of the people on this forum is claiming that the majority of house builders are not complying with Part M of the building regs, that they are saving huge piles of cash and getting away with it. Does this seem likely to you guys? I believe that new houses with an NHBC warranty are not inspected by the BCO but by an NHBC inspector. Is this the case and do you think this is likely to have a bearing on the issue? Just wondering really and this seemed like the best informed group available (*) Cheers Mark (*) well it was uk.diy or uk.legal and as this doesn't involve Blunkett or speed cameras I didn't thnk there would be many takers on UKL :-) I don't believe Part M covers new builds, and it wouldn't work if it did, you couldn't expect every new house to cater for every type of disability, and most disabled people have the houses modified to suit their individual needs as do non disabled people. I'm sure if a person bought a plot off a developer, he would design that house to suit that person. Most of the regs have a section on disabled accessibility, which covers most general needs. Dave Jones |
Mark Spice wrote:
My wife has been in a discussion on a web forum about access for the disabled in new homes. One of the people on this forum is claiming that the majority of house builders are not complying with Part M of the building regs, that they are saving huge piles of cash and getting away with it. Does this seem likely to you guys? I believe that new houses with an NHBC warranty are not inspected by the BCO but by an NHBC inspector. Is this the case and do you think this is likely to have a bearing on the issue? Just wondering really and this seemed like the best informed group available Sadly my BCO won't let ME get away with it I can assure you. Bloody effin ramps. when even my most wheelchair bound guest can leap a good 2 " in his chair. If all the money we spend on disabled access, were given to disabled people to buy whatever it is that meets their special needs - and bloody ramps it ain't, nor bloody sockets halfway up walls - then they would be happy, we would be happy, and we could shoot Blunkett with impunity. (*) Cheers Mark (*) well it was uk.diy or uk.legal and as this doesn't involve Blunkett or speed cameras I didn't thnk there would be many takers on UKL :-) |
Dave Jones wrote:
"Mark Spice" wrote in message ... My wife has been in a discussion on a web forum about access for the disabled in new homes. One of the people on this forum is claiming that the majority of house builders are not complying with Part M of the building regs, that they are saving huge piles of cash and getting away with it. Does this seem likely to you guys? I believe that new houses with an NHBC warranty are not inspected by the BCO but by an NHBC inspector. Is this the case and do you think this is likely to have a bearing on the issue? Just wondering really and this seemed like the best informed group available (*) Cheers Mark (*) well it was uk.diy or uk.legal and as this doesn't involve Blunkett or speed cameras I didn't thnk there would be many takers on UKL :-) I don't believe Part M covers new builds, and it wouldn't work if it did, you couldn't expect every new house to cater for every type of disability, You couldn't but Nu Laber can and does. and most disabled people have the houses modified to suit their individual needs as do non disabled people. Heresy! I'm sure if a person bought a plot off a developer, he would design that house to suit that person. Most of the regs have a section on disabled accessibility, which covers most general needs. Yweah. It goes like this. - wheel chair users dictate the access to your house TOTALlY. - rooms are constrcted on teh assumptio that only elderly sick and wheelchair bound will ever use teh lectrcs - windows must not be able to be fallen out of by the able bodied - windows must be jumpable out of buy the able bodied. - but we can let the wheel chair users suffocate and burn. - all user acessible parts of electrical stuff must be in reach of children, dwarves, cripples, and the terminally senile, as these are the people we expect to be cutting their toenails with an angle grinder. Trailing cables MUST star at LEAST 450mm above floor level so teh above can trip over them and kill themselves. Except in the kitchen, wher obviously no one but teh young and foirt ever go. - except light bulbs, which must remain forever beyond their reach.. Dave Jones |
On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 02:14:02 +0000, The Natural Philosopher
wrote: - except light bulbs, which must remain forever beyond their reach.. - and make them look ill. -- ..andy To email, substitute .nospam with .gl |
"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
... Mark Spice wrote: My wife has been in a discussion on a web forum about access for the disabled in new homes. One of the people on this forum is claiming that the majority of house builders are not complying with Part M of the building regs, that they are saving huge piles of cash and getting away with it. Does this seem likely to you guys? I believe that new houses with an NHBC warranty are not inspected by the BCO but by an NHBC inspector. Is this the case and do you think this is likely to have a bearing on the issue? Just wondering really and this seemed like the best informed group available Sadly my BCO won't let ME get away with it I can assure you. Bloody effin ramps. when even my most wheelchair bound guest can leap a good 2 " in his chair. If all the money we spend on disabled access, were given to disabled people to buy whatever it is that meets their special needs - and bloody ramps it ain't, nor bloody sockets halfway up walls - then they would be happy, we would be happy, and we could shoot Blunkett with impunity. (*) When my friend moved into an new estate (2000 ?) he had the ramp removed (mose likely not built), replaced by a step and normal door with decent ground seals fitted. The site builders on site retro-fitted the door at his request, as he knew people on the estate who were all having severe rain water leakage problems under the front door. It appears Part M doors a very supceptable to seal damage thus letting rain in. Also had electric sockets and light switched positioned non part M (at his request) as in his previous house suffered major problems:- - Low down light switches are reachable by 2 year olds, with all the ensuing problems that causes !!! - Sockets being higher up are much more noticable by 2 years olds, with all the problems that causes. - Sockets being higher up are much harder to hide behind furniture (ie boxes, small tables etc) to hide from 2 years olds. My house (2000 build) has no ramp normal step, keeps water out fine (rain does get underneath door but not into the house) and sockets and switches have not attracted the attention of my children being non Part M positioning. |
On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 00:30:02 +0000, Dave Jones wrote:
I don't believe Part M covers new builds, and it wouldn't work if it did, you couldn't expect every new house to cater for every type of disability, and most disabled people have the houses modified to suit their individual needs as do non disabled people. I have a customer who has moved into a £500k new 3 bed flat, and hates the fact that the sockets are 'half way' up the wall. New build are required to comply AFAIK. -- Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter. The FAQ for uk.diy is at www.diyfaq.org.uk Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html |
Bloody effin ramps. when even my most wheelchair bound guest can leap
a good 2 " in his chair. If all the money we spend on disabled access, were given to disabled people to buy whatever it is that meets their special needs - and bloody ramps it ain't, nor bloody sockets halfway up walls - then they would be happy, we would be happy, and we could shoot Blunkett with impunity. How nice to read some common sense for once. Only 5% of diabled people are wheelchair users, yet the disability stuff only addresses wheelchair users. Duh. And as you say, ramps and chair access are the last things the majority of disabled want or need. I lived in a house once with a mix of traditional low sockets and high up ones. The high ones were forever dangerous, as the cord tends to travel out as it travels down to the floor, so it was a constant substantial trip hazard. It was also inconvenient and a total eyesore. Would I be right in saying at least once a house is built you can reposition your sockets where you want? NT |
Bloody effin ramps. when even my most wheelchair bound guest can leap
a good 2 " in his chair. If all the money we spend on disabled access, were given to disabled people to buy whatever it is that meets their special needs - and bloody ramps it ain't, nor bloody sockets halfway up walls - then they would be happy, we would be happy, and we could shoot Blunkett with impunity. How nice to read some common sense for once. Only 5% of diabled people are wheelchair users, yet the disability stuff only addresses wheelchair users. Duh. And as you say, ramps and chair access are the last things the majority of disabled want or need. I lived in a house once with a mix of traditional low sockets and high up ones. The high ones were forever dangerous, as the cord tends to travel out as it travels down to the floor, so it was a constant substantial trip hazard. It was also inconvenient and a total eyesore. Would I be right in saying at least once a house is built you can reposition your sockets where you want? NT |
"Ed Sirett" wrote in message n.co.uk... On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 00:30:02 +0000, Dave Jones wrote: I don't believe Part M covers new builds, and it wouldn't work if it did, you couldn't expect every new house to cater for every type of disability, and most disabled people have the houses modified to suit their individual needs as do non disabled people. I have a customer who has moved into a £500k new 3 bed flat, and hates the fact that the sockets are 'half way' up the wall. New build are required to comply AFAIK. Most new-builds have the wiring done so that the sockets and light switches can be moved back to their proper places after final inspection. I would expect at this price this flat can be as well and somebody has forgotten to do so. |
wrote in message oups.com... Bloody effin ramps. when even my most wheelchair bound guest can leap a good 2 " in his chair. If all the money we spend on disabled access, were given to disabled people to buy whatever it is that meets their special needs - and bloody ramps it ain't, nor bloody sockets halfway up walls - then they would be happy, we would be happy, and we could shoot Blunkett with impunity. How nice to read some common sense for once. Only 5% of diabled people are wheelchair users, yet the disability stuff only addresses wheelchair users. Duh. And as you say, ramps and chair access are the last things the majority of disabled want or need. I lived in a house once with a mix of traditional low sockets and high up ones. The high ones were forever dangerous, as the cord tends to travel out as it travels down to the floor, so it was a constant substantial trip hazard. It was also inconvenient and a total eyesore. Would I be right in saying at least once a house is built you can reposition your sockets where you want? Yes - at least until Jan 1st. After that it depends on the room. Could you perhaps also re-position your software settings so that you only post once before somebody starts ranting about it. |
"Mike" wrote in message ... "Ed Sirett" wrote in message n.co.uk... On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 00:30:02 +0000, Dave Jones wrote: I don't believe Part M covers new builds, and it wouldn't work if it did, you couldn't expect every new house to cater for every type of disability, and most disabled people have the houses modified to suit their individual needs as do non disabled people. I have a customer who has moved into a £500k new 3 bed flat, and hates the fact that the sockets are 'half way' up the wall. New build are required to comply AFAIK. Most new-builds have the wiring done so that the sockets and light switches can be moved back to their proper places after final inspection. I would expect at this price this flat can be as well and somebody has forgotten to do so. The proper place is about 1/2 metre up the wall. New builds are not built to move sockets around at all. |
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IMM wrote:
The proper place is about 1/2 metre up the wall. No. the *regulation* place is between 450mm and 1.2m. The PRPER place is wher it suits YOU. New builds are not built to move sockets around at all. Indeed. |
"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message ... IMM wrote: The proper place is about 1/2 metre up the wall. No. the *regulation* place is between 450mm and 1.2m. The point is that they don't go on the skirting. So, if you move the sockets, you have problems when sellinmg. |
"IMM" wrote in message ... The proper place is about 1/2 metre up the wall. Only if you regard part M as sensible. New builds are not built to move sockets around at all. Many are |
"IMM" wrote in message ... "The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message ... IMM wrote: The proper place is about 1/2 metre up the wall. No. the *regulation* place is between 450mm and 1.2m. The point is that they don't go on the skirting. So, if you move the sockets, you have problems when sellinmg. They should be in the skirting like in Italy. There is no problem with selling - compliance with part M only applies to new properties. |
On Wed, 8 Dec 2004 13:23:53 -0000, "IMM" wrote:
"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message ... IMM wrote: The proper place is about 1/2 metre up the wall. No. the *regulation* place is between 450mm and 1.2m. The point is that they don't go on the skirting. They don't anyway. So, if you move the sockets, you have problems when sellinmg. Why? It doesn't benefit anybody, least of all people in wheelchairs, most of whom would rather that things around them are as normal as possible and not politically correct bull****. -- ..andy To email, substitute .nospam with .gl |
"Andy Hall" wrote in message ... On Wed, 8 Dec 2004 13:23:53 -0000, "IMM" wrote: "The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message ... IMM wrote: The proper place is about 1/2 metre up the wall. No. the *regulation* place is between 450mm and 1.2m. The point is that they don't go on the skirting. They don't anyway. So, if you move the sockets, you have problems when sellinmg. Why? It doesn't benefit anybody, least of all people in wheelchairs, most of whom would rather that things around them are as normal as possible and not politically correct bull****. And let's be honest, if a wheelchair user has half a million to spend, are they going to spend it on a flat ? |
On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 23:55:46 +0000, Mike wrote:
"Ed Sirett" wrote in message n.co.uk... On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 00:30:02 +0000, Dave Jones wrote: I don't believe Part M covers new builds, and it wouldn't work if it did, you couldn't expect every new house to cater for every type of disability, and most disabled people have the houses modified to suit their individual needs as do non disabled people. I have a customer who has moved into a £500k new 3 bed flat, and hates the fact that the sockets are 'half way' up the wall. New build are required to comply AFAIK. Most new-builds have the wiring done so that the sockets and light switches can be moved back to their proper places after final inspection. I would expect at this price this flat can be as well and somebody has forgotten to do so. This is unlikely as fittings ar almost entirely plasterboard backboxes. -- Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter. The FAQ for uk.diy is at www.diyfaq.org.uk Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html |
"Ed Sirett" wrote in message n.co.uk... I don't believe Part M covers new builds, and it wouldn't work if it did, you couldn't expect every new house to cater for every type of disability, and most disabled people have the houses modified to suit their individual needs as do non disabled people. I have a customer who has moved into a £500k new 3 bed flat, and hates the fact that the sockets are 'half way' up the wall. New build are required to comply AFAIK. Most new-builds have the wiring done so that the sockets and light switches can be moved back to their proper places after final inspection. I would expect at this price this flat can be as well and somebody has forgotten to do so. This is unlikely as fittings ar almost entirely plasterboard backboxes. That's right. You put in two of them, wire loop through the proper position to the TwoJags position, then place a fillet of plasterboard flush in the proper position until it is needed. Snip the loop and plaster in the silly position after final inspection. In fact some people are even more blatant and just put dummy panels there. I haven't yet seen 'double decker' switches or sockets but I expect somebody will soon. |
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