Regulations regarding access height to equipment

[jimseng]

I wanted to ask about equipment height (450-1200 mm) and what it applies to. In my plant room I want to install a small Ethernet patch panel and network switch but wall space is limited. This sort of equipment isn't really supposed to be accessed on a daily basis and I can't find a clear guide as to whether it has to be within the 450 to 1200 zone and if someone can point me to a document  that might show what does or doesn't have to stick to this rule. 
The electrician is installing the CUs at a certain height but what about my custom made box with 24v DC breakers? Do either the DC breakers or the network patch panel have to be at a certain height?

[Alan Ambrose]

>>> For new-build houses, Consumer Units (CUs) should typically be installed with the operational switches between 450 mm and 1200 mm from the finished floor level

 

Hmm, for Part M i.e. wheelchair access. Thankfully, I think only common sense apples to the other stuff. i.e. you're out of the clutches of NAPIT.

 

>>>  otherwise BS7671 - Recommended Height

• Optimal Height: The operating switches (main switch) should typically be located between 1350mm and 1450mm from the finished floor level.
• Acceptable Range: A broader, commonly accepted range for accessibility (to allow for easy operation and maintenance) is between 1m and 1.8m from the floor.

 

 

[Spinny]

Well I am putting network stuff in a cupboard from about 1.8m upwards. Not a new build though.

Most existing houses are too small, so needs must. I wouldn't have thought words like 'should typically' are really worth the paper they are written on.

Designing buildings on the basis of the occaisional needs of a small minority of the population is not always possible or sensible.

 

Thinking about whether to get a swing gate network rack like this...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tecmojo-Network-Computer-Equipment-Mounting/dp/B0DBRBKRS6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=QIGN7P0D9QQU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UQTMW0pCAUkMMyTWRDqLYSZVAAHxOZSB0NEpnpVG6j4GuVnaO47peoo6JwxBOdPiAZgJ8jIDTt9vbcV3U-K-3QQXGMQl2E0FiDyG8rDh_F6ba2sMZgZOKcPzmU1kz4C6-VPQGv-eyMNNCD0vv2FqQhXaCPaLLUmAhEIvkHVQ-f6OwqzbkzwGBtgfoyZYSwGpOyl6YB6-SHDzrqm1z848DAnW5kietHJB3wEhJLzsNrE.JXx9IdVn5dpraQR2flo5NcFZUIruGvVv5EKVZ7_QZl4&dib_tag=se&keywords=swing%2Bgate%2Bnetwork%2Brack&qid=1778536216&sprefix=swing%2Bgate%2Bnetwork%2Brack%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-3&th=1