LSF, is there a regulatory requirement?

GBDamo · Jul 20, 2022

I've been installing this stuff for years in commercial settings, it seems a no brainer.

For the first time, today, a client questioned its requirement and, to be honest I cant find anything in black and white to back up my assertion.

I know the advantages, and tried explaining these but he's adamant if its not legally required, he don't want it.

In this case the peace of mind would amount to ~£150 in a 1/2million pound project.

So, have I been talking gonads or is there something more concrete?

pc1966 · Jul 20, 2022

There is something in 422.2.1 on cable characteristics (and trunking, etc) for smoke control but only for 'protected escape routes'.

Julie. · Jul 20, 2022

ipf said:
For grey I still strip with a controlled knife between earth and another core but that's ridiculously hard with LSF.

And completely frowned upon by the "authorities" i.e. training colleges and the like, use a knife in any circumstances and they throw a fit!!

It's they way I have always done it, and prefer it above anything else.

ipf · Jul 20, 2022

Julie. said:
And completely frowned upon by the "authorities" i.e. training colleges and the like, use a knife in any circumstances and they throw a fit!!

It's they way I have always done it, and prefer it above anything else.

Yeah, I know That's because, these days, they don't trust a trades person with a ring spanner, let alone a pen knife.
You do it the way you're taught...or always have done, with a bit of skill and judgement.
When I see the disgraceful state of many terminal positions.....

I wonder how they advise stripping LSF swa, these days? Have a job on designing a special tool for that.

ipf · Jul 20, 2022

GBDamo said:
It's how it's been done for eons, it ain't called twin & stripper for nothing.

Don't I know it. Mind you, the only twin strippers I remember were at a small night club round our way, in the seventies.

telectrix · Jul 20, 2022

GBDamo said:
Not with these...

View attachment 99670

If I get a year out of a pair I'm happy, treat em as a consumable but they are worth their weight in gold.

got the identical one myself. Klein. still a pain with lsf. I do 2" at a time. also use a knife at times. (shh .H&E may be watching).

GBDamo · Jul 20, 2022

telectrix said:
got the identical one myself. Klein. still a pain with lsf. I do 2" at a time. also use a knife at times. (shh .H&E may be watching).

Have you modified the depth gauge?

When I say modify I mean remove the circlip, pull the flaming thing out and bin it.

A joy ro use once modified.

Vortigern · Jul 20, 2022

I was taught at college to use a (electricians) knife and even told it is the difference between a craftsman and an electrician! Of course we were told we are not allowed to use a stanley knife due to H&S reasons Being the blade is brittle and could snap. Tried showing some traines this and one said it's a load of B--------ks. Still I could strip faster than him anyway. But he was doing it with ripping the earth out. Wouldn.t accept a difference in fault levels could potentially result. He's probably right, or wrong. Sorry I am rambling I will shut up now.

Vortigern · Jul 20, 2022

Oh yeh, I only use LSF when specified which is most of the time in commercial.

nicebutdim · Jul 20, 2022

ipf said:
For grey I still strip with a controlled knife between earth and another core but that's ridiculously hard with LSF.

I'd routinely use a knife to strip Hi-tuff or SWA bedding in this way, but would never think to do so with T&E.

Also bought a roll of LSF 3 core today as it was cheaper than PVC.

Dustydazzler · Jul 20, 2022

nicebutdim said:
I'd routinely use a knife to strip Hi-tuff or SWA bedding in this way, but would never think to do so with T&E.

Also bought a roll of LSF 3 core today as it was cheaper than PVC.

Likewise the other week my wholesaler sold me a 100m drum of 2.5 lsf for less than pvc
I love using LSF , i feel all posh using it on a domestic and yes its tougher to strip but with an auto stripper its no problem

nicebutdim · Jul 20, 2022

Dustydazzler said:
Likewise the other week my wholesaler sold me a 100m drum of 2.5 lsf for less than pvc
I love using LSF , i feel all posh using it on a domestic and yes its tougher to strip but with an auto stripper its no problem

Never used the stuff, although work with LSF singles day and daily.

Shouldn't be too much of a hardship as I've only 4 ends to strip on longish runs to an intermediate switch

ipf · Jul 20, 2022

nicebutdim said:
I'd routinely use a knife to strip Hi-tuff or SWA bedding in this way, but would never think to do so with T&E.

I understand that but it's all about how you've always done it..and having the basic skill and confidence to carry it out.
If you're frightened of taking chunks of insulation off line cores because you can't control a knife, then fair enough, don't do it.
I can't juggle so I don't do it, especially with knives.

nicebutdim · Jul 20, 2022

ipf said:
I understand that but it's all about how you've always done it..and having the basic skill and confidence to carry it out.
If you're frightened of taking chunks of insulation off line cores because you can't control a knife, then fair enough, don't do it.
I can't juggle so I don't do it, especially with knives.

Just never crossed my mind to strip T&E with a knife. Makes sense I guess, especially with larger sizes, and knife control is essential for any shape of cable - possibly moreso with round as outer sheath continually varies in thickness when stripping in a straight line.

pc1966 · Jul 21, 2022

ipf said:
I can't juggle so I don't do it, especially with knives.

pc1966 · Jul 21, 2022

nicebutdim said:
Just never crossed my mind to strip T&E with a knife. Makes sense I guess, especially with larger sizes, and knife control is essential for any shape of cable - possibly moreso with round as outer sheath continually varies in thickness when stripping in a straight line.

I have done it that way but usually just part-cut the sheath to make it easier to use the CPC as a rip-cord. A knife is handy but also very easy to nick the primary insulation, sadly done that a bit too often and had to cut and strip again

LSF, is there a regulatory requirement?

GBDamo

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pc1966

Julie.

ipf

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ipf

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telectrix

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GBDamo

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Vortigern

Vortigern

nicebutdim

Dustydazzler

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nicebutdim

ipf

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nicebutdim

pc1966

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pc1966

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