Distance between copper hot and cold water pipes and electric board

[Mgrant]

Hi is there a set distance copper hot and cold water pipes need to be from the main electric (fuse) board/ consumer unit in a domestic property?

 

[plumber0808]

As far as practically possible.

i don't think there is any regulation covering this.

 

[AWheating]

common sense is the regulation you must follow.

 

[Resolute]

No regulation, however as far as possible is best. I'd also avoid joints and if they have to be done then I'd solder.

Also make sure they are all bonded!

 

[Mgrant]

I'm needing to run hot and cold water pipes in copper about 12 inches from the fuse board running parallel up past it. Not over it. Sound ok?

 

[AWheating]

yes..

 

[PlumbBobBob]

you should be fine with that distance. as said get them bonded.

 

[Mgrant]

earth bonded?

 

[PlumbBobBob]

yes earth bonded

 

[AWheating]

stick em inside a boxing.

 

[Worcester]

Like all these things you gotta know which regs to look in

The Gas regs cover the gas pipes etc, IIRC:

BS6891-2005 8.16.2 Separation of installation pipework from other services.
Where installation pipes are not separated by electrical insulating material, they shall be spaced as follows:
a) at least 150 mm away from electricity meters and associated excess current controls, electrical switches or sockets, distribution boards or consumer units;
b) at least 25mm away from electricity supply and distribution cables.

(correct me if I'm wrong)

The other bit comes from the Electrical regs (BS7671 - 2008 +A1 2011) - and there is probably a bit in BS6700 - don't have that one to hand

528.3 Proximity to non-electrical services
528.3.1 A wiring system shall not be installed in the vicinity of services which produce heat, smoke, or fumes likely to be detrimental to the wiring, unless it is protected from harmful effects by shielding arranged so as not to affect the dissipation of heat from the wiring (and CU aka fuse box etc)
528.3.4 Where an electrical service is located in close proximity to one or more non-electrical services, both the following conditions shall be met:
(i) The wiring system shall be suitably protected against the hazards likely to arise from the presence of the other services in normal use
(ii) Fault protection shall be afforded in accordance with the requirements of section 411

So bottom line:
Gas pipes see gas regs,
Hot pipes, you need to put a barrier/insulate the pipe or move it away.
Cold Pipes make sure they don't leak/ there is no drain cock close to any wiring / the CU

If you have any concerns therefore, some method of shielding the CU (1/2 hour fire resistant board) would be sensible.

 

[Worcester]

Oops for BS6700, read BS8558:2011 (but then you all knew that

 

[Mgrant]

Thanks can't see the hot water pipe work transferring heat that distance I will as said box them in. Why do you recommend earth bonding? I no all pipework should be bonded. So a gas pipe can run near an electric board if is 6inch or more away?

 

[basildog]

Earth bonding is your friend !

 

[Worcester]

Why do you recommend earth bonding?

(Because it's the regulations )
Because the gas pipe creates an electrical circuit through to the external buried gas main hence introducing earth potential into the installation, and therefore an alternative earth route if there is a fault on the LV side, so it is considered an extraneous-conductive-part.

The pipe should be bonded with the correct size cable (on domestic installations, usually 10mm2) and within 600mm of the meter, or at the point of entry to the building of the meter is external, and MUST be on the consumers side of the meter before any branch in the pipework and after any insulating sections in the pipework, and made to rigid (not flexible or soft) pipework. (BS7671 4.11.3.1 and 544 )

So a gas pipe can run near an electric board if is 6inch or more away?

Yes, Well actually it's 150mm