I would say you are right - it's not a good practice at all. These areas are frequently used for purposes additional to that intended and as such additional hazards are introduced. The rooms were never intended as offices so advise those responsible that it's not an acceptable practice (insurers tend not to look on this arrangement favourably either).

Not to mention the increased fire risk posed by introducing office paperwork into the switch room. Sounds like a bad idea to me and one that Insurers wouldn't be too keen on either.

Still, you call it a switch room, are we talking serious switch gear here or just a small (in relative terms) distribution board with trips for lighting and plug sockets etc? Same principle applies of course, just that the actual risk might well be far more acceptable in this case. For example most domestic properties have a consumer unit and it is often situated in a cupboard under the stairs along with other conveniently stored probably nicely flammable items.

Granted you wouldn't sit and work there though ! ! !