Additional electrical socket for boiler in loft

[eagleeye]

Can anyone tell me if its actually a reg or just good practice that a switched socket outlet (as well as a switched spur) MUST be fitted next to boilers in lofts so when service engineer visits there is somewhere to plug in equipment should he need it ?

I have always done it but wasnt sure if it was actually a regulation

 

[Scott_D]

Just good practice as far as I know
Regulations cover ladder, lighting and boarding

 

[PETE 123]

Gas and electrics must be able to be isolated without going in loft say on landing.

 

[Knappers]

No requirement in regs for a socket.
I wouldn't put one in, apart from my core drill and breaker everything I have is lithium powered!

 

[IND_Nick]

Not sure there are any actual gas regulations that for boilers in loft, although I'm happy to be proven wrong.
As far as I know it is just general health and safety for a permanent ladder, correct lighting, boarding and a rail around the hatch. Most manufacturers will require this for warranty to be honoured.
Electrical isolation on a fuse spur is appropriate for any location. However it is a nice addition if there is a socket as well.
I can't see any reason for additional gas and electric isolation on the landing. Only one thing I often consider is a filling loop and pressure gauge in the airing cupboard or such like for easy top ups.

 

[PETE 123]

Regulations​

BPEC CEN1 Guidance regarding roof installation of a gas boiler is:

• Flooring provided to the boiler for service access
• The boiler has to be mounted on a wall capable of withstanding weight.
• Loft to be accessible with retractable ladder
• Must have fixed lighting in place
• The roof space exit must be protected with a guard rail
• Gas, water, and electrical isolation points should be provided outside of the roof space so the boiler
  can be isolated without gaining access to roof space.

 

[Knappers]

According to BS 6798:2014
Guard rail is essentially a reccomendation in commentary under reg 7.3.8.1c
I don't read it as a requirement!
Isolation points has been grabbed from somewhere else (or made up by author) and as far as I can tell is not in the regs altho you would have ECV, stoptap and consumer unit outside the loft by default?

 

[Murdoch]

IIRC in the electrical regs you just need double pole isolation, so a plug or DP fused spur will suffice

as for being able to isolate the boiler without going in the loft is a new one on me.

 

[IND_Nick]

Regulations​

BPEC CEN1 Guidance regarding roof installation of a gas boiler is:

• Flooring provided to the boiler for service access
• The boiler has to be mounted on a wall capable of withstanding weight.
• Loft to be accessible with retractable ladder
• Must have fixed lighting in place
• The roof space exit must be protected with a guard rail
• Gas, water, and electrical isolation points should be provided outside of the roof space so the boiler
  can be isolated without gaining

Regulations​

BPEC CEN1 Guidance regarding roof installation of a gas boiler is:

• Flooring provided to the boiler for service access
• The boiler has to be mounted on a wall capable of withstanding weight.
• Loft to be accessible with retractable ladder
• Must have fixed lighting in place
• The roof space exit must be protected with a guard rail
• Gas, water, and electrical isolation points should be provided outside of the roof space so the boiler
  can be isolated without gaining access to roof space.

Thanks for posting that, I wasn't aware of the requirement for additional isolation, but the rest I guess is common sense. I have also seen drain points added into the condensate pipework which is a nice touch if you have to drain the boiler.

 

[Murdoch]

Regulations​

BPEC CEN1 Guidance regarding roof installation of a gas boiler is:

• Flooring provided to the boiler for service access
• The boiler has to be mounted on a wall capable of withstanding weight.
• Loft to be accessible with retractable ladder
• Must have fixed lighting in place
• The roof space exit must be protected with a guard rail
• Gas, water, and electrical isolation points should be provided outside of the roof space so the boiler
  can be isolated without gaining access to roof space.

when they say “guidance” is this a must have and if so who’s responsibility is it to check this is in place?

as a spark I’ve not come across this requirement before but will now bear it in mind as I don’t think it’s mentioned in our regs

that said the muppets are creating a web of cross references which makes this stuff quite difficult to keep up with

 

[ShaunCorbs]

It’s one of this practical things fused spur next to the boiler is more than good enough

guess you could class the mcb/rcbo as an isolation point if there fussy

as for a socket it’s a handy thing to have and if designing a new install would recommend one there as it wouldn’t cost much to do it at the time or have the boiler on it’s own circuit rated for a socket then spur off the socket wtc

 

[Ben-gee]

Put a double socket and then plug the boiler into it, leaving another for tools.