Adequate Provision of Electrical Socket Outlets in the Home

Adequate Provision of Electrical Socket Outlets in the Home

INTRODUCTION
The increased use of home electronics and entertainment systems has led to the situation that, not only are homeowners using extension leads for their TV area but also for many other areas in their homes. An increased number of socket outlets is always preferred by homeowners and clients; surveys have shown that 50% of new homeowners require additional socket outlets within twelve months of purchase of a new dwelling.

History
A Report of the Electrical Installation Industry Liaison Committee (EIILC), first published in 1977, made proposals for the minimum number of socket-outlets, which should be provided in homes. These proposals were made particularly on the grounds of safety - safety for the user, the installation itself, the home and of property - and for maintaining that level of safety during the life of the installation whilst allowing for the changing needs of the user. This EIILC report has been extended to also cover the minimum requirements for existing and foreseen standards of living and the use of electrical and electronic equipment in the average home. The use of such equipment in the home has increased dramatically as can be seen from the chart overleaf. The minimum requirements advocated in this Report are to be found in Table 1 which covers all types of dwelling e.g. public housing, affordable housing and private development.

INCREASED USE OF ELECTRICAL CONSUMER EQUIPMENT

The chart opposite illustrates the significant increase in consumer equipment, which has driven the need for increased number of socket-outlets. Three or more television sets in one home are commonplace together with home entertainment systems, DVD/video recording equipment - which usually remains plugged in - and also the use of home computers and peripheral devices. In the last seven years the use of electrical equipment in dwellings has increased dramatically as shown. Some electric equipment which was formerly battery operated is now available in a mains/battery form and this equipment often remains connected to the mains via its charger.

SAFETY
It has already been stated that the number of socket-outlets being advocated is primarily on the grounds of safety. The resulting dangers of not having sufficient socket-outlets may be summarised as follows:

do-it yourself extension to the circuit will be attempted DIY extension to the flex of the equipment Cascading (daisy chaining) of extension leads Inappropriate stacking of adaptors
All of the above will create potential hazards, namely risk of electric shock or injury and damage to property through fire.

CONSUMER DURABLES 79% OF HOUSEHOLDS HAVE A MOBILE PHONE

Percentage of households with selected consumer durables, UK

Reproduced by courtesy of the Office of National Statistics - Social Trends 2006

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS: BUILDING REGULATIONS

Electrical installation work carried out in dwellings in England and Wales is subject to BS 7671 IEE Wiring Regulations and to Part P of the Building Regulations which requires that:
Reasonable provision shall be made in the design and installation of electrical installations in order to protect persons operating, maintaining or altering installations from fire or injury.

Electrical installation work carried out in dwellings in Scotland is subject to the Scottish Building Standard which requires that:
Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that electric lighting points and socket outlets are provided to ensure the health, safety and convenience of occupants and visitors. Guidance to the Scottish Building Standard gives only minimum recommendations; the numbers in table 1 below, will enable compliance whilst providing improved flexibility and safety.

ADEQUATE PROVISION OF SOCKET-OUTLETS

An inadequate number of socket-outlets will lead to an increased hazard due to the consumer being encouraged to cascade extension leads and / or stack adaptors. This can be avoided by ensuring that an adequate number of socket-outlets as stated in this guide are installed and suitably located. There is now a legal requirement under Part M of the Building Regulations that reasonable provision shall be made for people to(a) gain access to; and (b) use the building and its facilities. Clearly if socket-outlets are not conveniently located they will not be used. They need to be suitably distributed around the room, due account being taken of furniture, electrical equipment and future change of use.

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM NUMBER OF SOCKET-OUTLETS FOR DWELLINGS

Table 1 - Minimum Number of twin Socket Outlets to be provided in Homes Room Type Main Living Room (see Note 4) Dining Room Single Bedroom (see Note 3) Double Bedroom (see Note 3) Bedsitting Room (see Note 6) Study Utility Room Kitchen (see Note 1) Garages (see Note 2) Conservatory Hallway Loft Locations containing a Bath or Shower (see note 5) Smaller Rooms (Up to 12m2) 4 3 2 3 4 4 3 6 2 3 1 1 1 Medium Rooms Larger Rooms (12-25m2) (More than 25m2) 6 4 3 4 5 5 4 8 3 4 2 2 2 8 5 4 5 6 6 5 10 4 5 3 3 3

Note: With certain exceptions, all socket-outlets are required to be protected by a 30mA RCD in accordance with BS 7671 (IEE Wiring Regulations).

Notes:
1. KITCHEN - If a socket-outlet is provided in the cooker control unit, this should not be included in the 6 recommended in the table above. Appliances built into kitchen furniture (integrated appliances) should be connected to a socket-outlet or switch fused connection unit that is accessible when the appliance is in place and in normal use. Alternatively, when an appliance is supplied from a socket-outlet or a connection unit, these should be controlled by an accessible double pole switch or switched fused connection unit. It is recommended that wall mounted socket-outlets above a work surface are spaced at not more than 1 metre intervals along the surface. 2. GARAGE - The number of socket-outlets specified allows for the use of a battery charger, tools, portable light and garden appliances. 3. BEDROOM - It is envisaged that this room will be used in different ways in different households. It may be used simply as a childs bedroom requiring socket-outlets for table lamps, an electric blanket and a electric heater only; or it may serve as a teenagers bedroom and living room combined, where friends are entertained. In this case, socket outlets may be needed for computers (printers, scanners, speakers etc), games consoles, MP3/4 players, mobile phone chargers, DVD players, digital receivers, home entertainment systems (amplifiers, CD player) hairdryer, television and radio, in addition to lamps, an electric blanket and electric heater. 4. HOME ENTERTAINMENT - In addition to the number of socket-outlets shown in the table it is recommended that at least two further double socket outlets are installed in home entertainment areas. 5. LOCATIONS CONTAINING A BATH OR SHOWER - Socketoutlets other than SELV socket-outlets and shaver supply units complying with BS EN 61558-2-5 are prohibited within a distance of 3 m horizontally from the boundary of zone 1 e.g. 230V socket-outlets in a bathroom must be installed a minimum 3 m from the edge of the bath, BS 7671 (IEE Wiring Regulations) refers. 6. BEDSITTING ROOM - Rooms specifically designed or envisaged to be used as student bedsitting rooms should be provided with additional socket-outlets which may be needed since persons using these rooms will often introduce other portable appliances in addition to items already mentioned in Note 3. In such situations a lack of sufficient socket-outlets is an additional danger and therefore the minimum number of twin outlets should be increased to 4.

Electrical Contractors Association, ESCA House, 34 Palace Court, London, W2 4HY Tel 020 7313 4800 Fax 020 7221 7344 Email info@eca.co.uk www.eca.co.uk

PXXXXXXXX

The ECA Logo is a Registered Collective Mark