Electrical cupboard

[Lyledunn]

BC have asked for 60min fire doors to a cupboard that houses the sub distribution boards for a 70 seater ground floor restaurant. The boards are within the main body of the restaurant, not on a protected escape route, nor are they at the main intake position. Even if they were, I can see no valid reason for such a requirement.

I see this as a BC officer over stepping his remit. Happening a lot at the moment. The thing is, clients seem to be so deferential to BC that they fail to ask for the source of demands made by officers on site. 
I have asked the officer to confirm by email, in other words commit to writing his demand out and identifying the regulatory source. So far, no response.

This is only one small example of the disadvantages inherent in verbal communication between LABC and either clients or those on site. Most frustrating!

 

[AnthonyB]

Are they, presumably being new boards, in a non combustible housing, i.e. all metal? They certainly aren't a defined area of special fire hazard. 

[Lyledunn]

Well the metal housing really only applies to domestic properties, presumably and primarily  because of sleeping risk. This is a GF restaurant so as far as BS7671 2018 A3 is concerned, the boards could be plastic and still comply. Of course, most commercial installations use more robust equipment. Our equivalent to ADB offers no advice either way.
No comment from the BC officer as yet. We all make mistakes and I would like to offer him an off ramp to maintain his integrity but also to take a lesson on board.