Commercial shop regs.

[Dean31]

Hi Guy, I had a call yesterday to a shop being turned into a minimark, they wanted me to relocate the light switch which I did, but after looking at the rest of the property I noticed the ring main and the back of house lights was wired with 2mm bell cable! I told the owner it need to be rewired which he was hesitant but agreed to have done. This is his first shop and I just wanted to see what else is required in a shop? emergency lights, fire alarm, Electrical installation conditioning report etc. Many thanks.

 

[DPG]

Wind up or another DIYer seeking advice, lets see who runs to his rescue.

I don't see what's wrong with this question. If someone has only ever done domestic, then why would they necessarily know what regs, etc. apply to commercial and retail stuff? Daz

 

[Engineer54]

I don't see what's wrong with this question. If someone has only ever done domestic, then why would they necessarily know what regs, etc. apply to commercial and retail stuff? Daz

As far as the electrical Reg's are concerned, is there any difference??

 

[telectrix]

no difference in regs., but there are sections and working practices which may apply to commercial and not domestic, and vice versa. e.g. galv . conduit and metalclad fittings are fine in a shop storeroom, but not in madam's £8000 fitted kitchen.

 

[ian.settle1]

DIY electrics and no test certificates insurance company will soon cancel the shop owners insurance policies building and public liability

 

[DPG]

I don't imagine he's DIY and doing no test certs, otherwise why would he be asking about what extra/different things are required. Surely it's only like asking about different rules/regs for HMO properties, etc. ?? Daz

 

[Marvo]

Why do people have more than one account? I can't see a reason behind it..
Then again, why let people have more than one account??

There are a couple of legitimate reasons for having two forum accounts but it's not generally allowed and if someone starts a second member account and uses it in an underhanded way then both accounts will be permanently deleted.

 

[Darkwood]

There are a couple of legitimate reasons for having two forum accounts but it's not generally allowed and if someone starts a second member account and uses it in an underhanded way then both accounts will be permanently deleted.

Do you have an undercover Mod' account on the side to root out the evil ....... are you really Biff in disguise :laugh:

 

[Marvo]

I did have a second account for a while but my pink handcuffs avatar got me into trouble and I ended up having to ban myself

 

[Adam W]

I did have a second account for a while but my pink handcuffs avatar got me into trouble and I ended up having to ban myself

Aha! So it WAS you!!

 

[Adam W]

no difference in regs., but there are sections and working practices which may apply to commercial and not domestic, and vice versa. e.g. galv . conduit and metalclad fittings are fine in a shop storeroom, but not in madam's £8000 fitted kitchen.

Obviously those two examples are purely cosmetic, but I don't see why the two should be so different - I don't see why you can't wire a shop in the same way as a house (everything RCD protected, T&E chased into walls and clipped above ceilings) or at the same time wire a house in singles in steel conduit, like council houses used to be wired.
If anything, commercial properties, especially those with grid ceilings, should be much easier to wire because you have easy access above the ceiling.

 

[KINKY]

This forum is actually for electricians to exchange info and ideas. I gather you aren't an electrician judging by the very basic questions you're asking?

This forum is for anyone. not just electricians.

 

[Amp David]

Wind up or another DIYer seeking advice, lets see who runs to his rescue.

Yeah, or out of his depth big time.

 

[tazz]

Obviously those two examples are purely cosmetic, but I don't see why the two should be so different - I don't see why you can't wire a shop in the same way as a house (everything RCD protected, T&E chased into walls and clipped above ceilings) or at the same time wire a house in singles in steel conduit, like council houses used to be wired.
If anything, commercial properties, especially those with grid ceilings, should be much easier to wire because you have easy access above the ceiling.

Reason for using steel tray or trunking, for commercial use is prevent cables and other utilities, such as water and aircon pipe work falling through false ceilings in the event of fire.

 

[Adam W]

Reason for using steel tray or trunking, for commercial use is prevent cables and other utilities, such as water and aircon pipe work falling through false ceilings in the event of fire.

You don't necessarily have to though - you could use basket, and I've seen and done loads of commercial installations using catenary wire, hammer-in tie bases, all round banding etc. Maybe not how I would choose to do it but cost is usually a factor.
If the ceiling is made of plasterboard chances are the pink stuff will be specified, which should last an hour or so in a fire.

 

[davidcaulfield]

Wind up or another DIYer seeking advice, lets see who runs to his rescue.

I don't see what's wrong with this question. If someone has only ever done domestic, then why would they necessarily know what regs, etc. apply to commercial and retail stuff? Daz

I have only ever done domestic work and would ask a question like this if I was unsure!