NICEIC produces free practical guide to planning your kitchen that ensures all the electrical aspects are covered

(19/03/2009)

If the economic downturn has left you unable to move and you have chosen to improve your home instead, the kitchen is a good place to start. Not only will it add value to your property when you do come to sell, but the kitchen has become a central meeting point for many busy families making practical and careful layout essential. So make sure you take some time to plan your new kitchen, and don’t forget to pay attention to the electrics required to power the new hub of your home.

NICEIC has produced a free practical guide to planning your kitchen that ensures all the electrical aspects are covered.

Top tips from NICEIC:

· Consider the position of key appliances. For ease of working, try to create a triangle between the cooker, the fridge and the food preparation/sink area

· Water and electrics don’t mix. Make sure sockets, switches and fixed electrical installations are not in a position where they may get splashed with water

· Low voltage ceiling spotlights provide useful ambient light, but make sure they are fire rated

· Draw up a plan of your kitchen – or use the computer generated plan supplied by your kitchen supplier – to discuss lighting, socket and switch placement for fixed and portable appliances with your electrician

· Ask your electrician to calculate the power needed for your kitchen and whether additional circuits are required

· Don’t underestimate the electrical supply required – it can be disruptive and costly to add more sockets and circuits after your new kitchen is installed

· Current building regulations require all kitchens to have adequate air extraction and a fire detection system, ask your electrician to include these in his installation plan

· For a touch of luxury, turn your kitchen floor into one large radiator with underfloor heating. This will suit most floor finishes, except carpet, but make sure it is installed by a professional electrician

While it’s relatively easy to make an electrical circuit work, it is far more challenging to make the circuit work safely. All electrical work carried out in the kitchen must meet Part P of the Building Regulations, and this work is best left to the professionals. The simplest way to ensure that any electrical work is carried out safely and to a high standard is to use a government approved registered electrician, or kitchen installer, such as one registered with NICEIC, who will issue you with a Building Regulations Compliance certificate on completion to prove the work meets required safety standards.

NICEIC maintains a list of around 24,000 approved electrical contractors and domestic installers, who can undertake electrical work in your home in compliance with Part P of the Building Regulations.

Related categories:  Electrical installation   Legislation and regulation   Residential