Kitchen Sockets (Splash Point)

[EXRM1802]

Recently completed a basic kitchen job 100 x 100 random pattern in a new build. Left the job with the client being happy and i was pleased with how the job looked.
2 Weeks later i received a phone call from the builder saying NHBC had been round to sign the property off and my sockets had been picked up for " splash points".
I profiled the sockets with about 3mm of tile protruding over the edge of the socket and hid this with the covering screwed into place.
Any info on this being in British Standards?
Have to go round and remove / replace 2 tiles and make job good.
I was not made aware of this on my course and would hate any other newcomers to get caught out.
Cheers all

 

[Home Tiler]

makes you think abit about these courses eh...
I never knew about this as well..so i will be looking forward to any replies
steve

 

[DHTiling]

post not really clear to understand.. but did you tile behind the face plates or around them...but as for splash points then surely builder or electrian should be responsible for location of these...not you.......face plates should be tiled behind not around.....dave..

 

[tiler68]

I used to teach for a tiling course firm(for a very short time)all that matters to them is money,and you learn very little unless its for 8 weeks which cost £££

 

[EXRM1802]

Sorry if i wasn`t clear. I removed face plates and tiled behind. I was pleased with how they looked, tidy and professional. No edges showed, the spark was there as i tiled behind and he screwed in place? I wasn`t sure exactly what was wrong, the builder who phoned me was also unclear. My understanding was that you should tile behind face plates, but it seems i was picked up for tiling to far behind and that there is some rule on how far behind face plate you should tile?
Hope this is clearer.

 

[tiler68]

i dont think he likes you

 

[DHTiling]

talking out there butts lol ....as long as face plate goes back on and no interferance with wiring then no problem......where did spalsh points ( zones ) come into it then...

 

[enduro]

More red tape, what a complete load of tossers!!!!!!

 

[DHTiling]

ALSO my son is an electrian ..so i asked him and he said rubbish as long as sockets arn't to close to cooker or sink then no probs....as for cutting round sockets as long as they fit back on ...tiles are none conductive he sez....lol lol....sons eh? usefull some times lol lol...

 

[EXRM1802]

Just my luck to get the most ANAL inspector in my area.
Seems i did everything fine, the electrician didn`t mention it when we did them either.
Makes me think that the builder got his wires crossed.
Thanks everyone, if i can clarify the situation tomorrow i will let you know.

 

[DHTiling]

plz do ...can't wait for builders reasons..lol..

 

[IvegotsTILE]

sounds complete toss to me mate,bloody jobsworth.

 

[devonmark]

splash point to me would mean the sockets location ie: close to a sink maybe a cooker therefore it is not your responsability as to where the sockets have been located, it has to fall on whoever made up the specs...I may be wrong in what I would deem as "splash point".

 

[CON5933]

It would be interesting to know if the spark had used 'longer' screws?
if not, has the socket moved a bit exposing the profile of the cut tile??
just a thought..

 

[Dan]

I used to teach for a tiling course firm(for a very short time)all that matters to them is money,and you learn very little unless its for 8 weeks which cost £££

What training centre was this at mate?

Sorry if i wasn`t clear. I removed face plates and tiled behind. I was pleased with how they looked, tidy and professional. No edges showed, the spark was there as i tiled behind and he screwed in place? I wasn`t sure exactly what was wrong, the builder who phoned me was also unclear. My understanding was that you should tile behind face plates, but it seems i was picked up for tiling to far behind and that there is some rule on how far behind face plate you should tile?
Hope this is clearer.

What they might want to see is the tile fitting the backing box so the adhesive which is holding moisture at the time of fixing and up to a couple of days afterwards at least is not going to intefere with the earthing the backing box provides, should it have been used as the earth. If you managed to cut two tiles to fit nd then another two didnt obscruct the fitting of the socket but did hang over the plate a little the inspector might be getting arsey about that.

Although I've never seen an inspector take off all the sockets on a job to check.

The location of the sockets would be more questionable as Dave's lad says. Near a cooker (heat) and near the sink (water) would cause problems reg-wise in some areas but the tile never has to be a neat job if you're fixing a bloody plate over it surely.

If this is the case then i've tiles around a few questionable sockets before now.