EICR coding for lack of local isolation of kitchen appliances

I have been asked by a friend to provide a second opinion on EICR coding for kitchen appliances connected to sockets that can only be accessed by moving the appliance, in this case the appliances are free standing and it's in rented accommodation, not HMO.

It certainly contravenes current regulation 537.3.2.

Electrician that completed the EICR is coding it as a C2 and want's to install suitable isolators with associated costs and disruption. To my mind it's a C3 as it's a bit inconvenient but the appliances can still be isolated by turning a circuit breaker of at the CU. Alternatively everything is RCD  protected, moving a free standing appliance without isolation isn't that risky.

I then started to look for documentation  and articles to provide guidance on the sittuation without much luck. Plenty describing why it's required and how to achieve it.

How would others code this, are there any articles you are aware of on the subject. When was the requirement introduced?

Appreciate any input you have. 

Parents
  • In a rented property I would have a full RCBO board with SPD.  It is also not realistic for a frail person to move an appliance to isolate it.  That being said the test (EICR) should be done to the edition of the install so some people would say code as C3 to try and bring the install upto the current standards.  I would also advocate PAT (Portable Appliance Test).  Being a rented property in England I assume, it is worth testing the smoke alarms for functionality and note the date of expiry.  Don't forget there should also be a carbon monoxide alarm in any room that burns fuel. 

Reply
  • In a rented property I would have a full RCBO board with SPD.  It is also not realistic for a frail person to move an appliance to isolate it.  That being said the test (EICR) should be done to the edition of the install so some people would say code as C3 to try and bring the install upto the current standards.  I would also advocate PAT (Portable Appliance Test).  Being a rented property in England I assume, it is worth testing the smoke alarms for functionality and note the date of expiry.  Don't forget there should also be a carbon monoxide alarm in any room that burns fuel. 

Children
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