Electrical box to valves behind heating pipes? is this safe/ok?

[baldyman36]

Hi,

I need more official and professional opinions om my situation.
It looks like the electrican and plumber have built something that I'm not sure is safe.
Please can you confirm.

The electrical box is sitting behind the heating pipes and the electrical box is touching the pipes.

is this safe?

 

[baldyman36]

a picture

 

[baldyman36]

Another pic

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Yea not right as you can't get to it for access/ replacing

 

[snowhead]

Makes you wonder how either of them managed to connect it up

 

[townfanjon]

Shakes his head !

 

[baldyman36]

Thanks. What building regulations or safety regulations does this violate? As they refuse to fix it.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Non but very bad practice

 

[Ric2013]

Surely if you can't put a non-maintenance-free junction box under a floor unless there is a dedicated access panel, and that electrical box cannot be accessed for maintenance, then logic would suggest that unless the electrical box has maintenance-free (i.e. non-screwed) terminals, it is in violation of a similar reg?
But you'd need to check on our sister forum as that's presumably where the sparkies live.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Surely if you can't put a non-maintenance-free junction box under a floor unless there is a dedicated access panel, and that electrical box cannot be accessed for maintenance, then logic would suggest that unless the electrical box has maintenance-free (i.e. non-screwed) terminals, it is in violation of a similar reg?
But you'd need to check on our sister forum as that's presumably where the sparkies live.

they cant be put under floors now, only where you can get at like gas comp fittings

 

[Ric2013]

Page 9, paragraph 4 would suggest you can't put them under floors 'unless provision is made for access'. Not that I would, even with provision, as it only takes someone to lay a posh carpet or some tiles, and bang goes the provision.

Unless this link is out of date?

hager.co.uk/files/download/0/2801_1/0/Guide_to_Junction_Boxes.pdf

 

[SimonG]

Not good but easy enough when replacing head to cut cable and use junction box to connect new head. I do this on all mv changes so I dont have to go into wiring centre.

 

[king of pipes]

Not ideal but see it all the time who's to blame engineer or electrican ??? in all honesty both . cheers kop

 

[SimonG]

That's why I do the wiring from the fused spur. Sparks get a bit lost with heating and controls wiring. I always make sure wether It's a heating part or electrical box It's accessible as possible. Just incase it's me coming back for maintenance/repair.

 

[Chuck]

Thanks. What building regulations or safety regulations does this violate? As they refuse to fix it.

What you need to refer to is The Consumer Rights Act 2015 Section 49, which is explained here:

Consumer Rights Act 2015 | Consumer Law

As there are two contractors involved you would be wise to consult Citizens Advice or your solicitor before deciding how to proceed.