Alan B said:

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.

Which of the devolved nations?

Scottish Domestic Technical Handbook, applicable June 2023, states on Page 382:

Where sockets are concealed, such as to the rear of white goods in a kitchen, separate switching should be provided in an accessible position, to allow appliances to be isolated

So the answer may well be different depending where you are working!

... and I'd further point out (playing Devil's Advocate) that in the quote above, specifically the purpose is 'to allow appliances to be isolated' ... so it's not just a "functional switch", you'd have to be selecting from items tagged "Yes" in the Isolation column of Table 537.4 !!!!!

Including Table 537.4 note 6.

Yes, but if you can switch the switch, you can pull the plug!

Sparkingchip said:

Including Table 537.4 note 6.

Irrelevant. The socket-outlet is hidden behind the appliance. The SDTH says the "separate switching" is "to allow the appliance to be isolated".

Chris Pearson said:

Yes, but if you can switch the switch, you can pull the plug!

Agreed ... yes that seems to be what the SDTH is getting at. "Can't pull the plug so need another (accessible) means of isolation".

The only "mechanical maintenance" I can do on our washing machine is to take the filter out to clean it, everything else requires the machine to be pulled forward to access the screws to take the top or back off.

As our washing machine is under a counter nothing other than cleaning the filter can be done without pulling it into the centre of the room. 

I am also in England and don't rent my home, which should not be relevant as the regs are the same across the UK. 

I have DP switches over the counter for the washing machine and dishwasher,  but not the fridge freezer, they all have accessible switches on the actual appliances. 

However, to access the consumer unit I generally have to move a vehicle on my drive, then unlock and open the garage door, which obviously takes a few minutes. 

So in Scotland, are EICRs being done to the SDTH, or to BS7671 ?

I suggest it really should be against BS7671 - in the same way an English  EICR does not fail if some other piece of advice, however wise and well meant, is not followed.

The classic must be non electrical building regs, so if the height of the worktops does not meet part M or if there is not an electric fan in the loo or a back flow valve is required for the shower the house does not get its electrics condemned. (it may get an advisory note to get a plumber in...)

Otherwise there would be a patchwork of documents by various authorities and trade bodies that one could pick and choose the best from to show compliance with, and what then, perhaps not bother with the BS7671 part  at all?

Mike.

mapj1 said:

So in Scotland, are EICRs being done to the SDTH, or to BS7671 ?

I guess it depends on whether the work is done either to determine electrical work required for, or done just after, a major re-development or re-fit of the premises, where (just as in England or Wales, BS 7671 is NOT the only consideration).

BUT regards this thread, Alan asked:

Alan B said:

and also understand why in general the industry seems to believe that local isolation is required for kitchen appliances.

So I've provided one possible answer ...

If you are going to put isolators in, I don’t think you would want them like this!

lyledunn said:

If you are going to put isolators in, I don’t think you would want them like this!

How many hygiene stars did this get after a few weeks of use?

This is an interesting debate.  BS7671 18 edition AM2 plus corrigendum is the minimum requirement but it States to refer to manufactures instruction for appliance.  Now some appliances sold in the UK have BS EN compliance or equivelant and some don't.  Especially some that are purchased online.  Question does the manufacturer recommendation supersede BS7671 if there is no BS EN?  I have seen many instructions with questionable English and grammar

Picture this scenario.  You are working to the regulation BS7671 for a new install or you are testing and existing install.  EICR so to speak or an initial verification.  The EICR should be tested to the install addition which could be the 16th but the initial verification should be to the 18th AM2 with the provision for 18th edition AM1 depending on the life cycle of the project and when the design was done.

Further points to consider.  A lot of manufacture warranty will be voided if supplied with a flex and moulded plug top which is cut off to install into an FCU.  In this case the diligent designer needs a switch which is accessible connected to a non-switched socket.  However if the the appliance comes with no flex and plug top connected the the design should call for a accessible switch to a FCU.

This can lead to confusion.  Lets say you are install an oven and gas hob.  They are separate appliances.  The hob comes connected with a flex and moulded plug top so this you connect to your isolatable plug and socket arrangement.  The Oven comes with no flex so you connect this using some H07F flex into a FCU