Our Voltimum Experts answer your questions on a daily basis in our Technical Expertise area. This one, about electrical protection for hand dryers in public building toilets, is answered by the NICEIC:
If so, then which regulation would relate to this? If this is a requirement, could it be classed as a Code 4 in the recommendation section of a PIR?
Answer: The requirements for RCD protection has been increased since publication of BS7671:2008.
The use of RCDs with a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30mA is recognised as providing additional protection against electric shock in the event of the failure of the provision for basic protection and/or the provision for fault protection or carelessness by users (see Regulation 415.1.1). The designer of the installation may consider that additional protection by RCDs would be applicable for the circuits in this location, as toilets within public buildings may be reasonably expected to be subject to carelessness by users.
In addition, you do not indicate how the cable has been installed or what type of cable is used however, if the cable is concealed in a wall less than 50mm from the surface, it is required to either have protection by RCD, or have an earthed metallic covering - unless it is under the control of a skilled or instructed person (see Regulations 522.6.6 and 522.6.7).
The decision regarding the control (of a skilled or instructed person) is down to the client who will have to inform you whether this is the case or not. If the client is unwilling or unable to provide you with an answer, given that it is a public building and accessible by the public, possibly out of normal working hours, which may not be supervised, RCD protection would be strongly advised under these conditions to satisfy duty of care.
If carrying out a PIR, it could be coded as a Code 4, but if damage is evident to the installation, a Code 2 might be appropriate.
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