Fire Rated Clips In Trunking

[ThrownRazor25]

Hi all,

From January 2019 when we are doing an EICR, how would you tackle trunking which has no fire rated clips in it which is in an area where there could be an issue regarding the cables falling in the event of a fire?

Would you advise to retrofit the clips in the trunking? Or state that the trunking conforms to a previous edition of the regulations?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Spoon]

When you have been doing EICR's have you been coding plastic CU's? If so then what code?
It's your question the same principle...?

 

[ThrownRazor25]

I would code a plastic DB as a C3, improvement recommended. That is not my issue though, it is the fact that the new regs state that all plastic trunking should have a suitable method of protection to stop cables falling in the event of a fire.

I dont think a DB would cause the same amount of hazard with regard of cables falling from height as trunking across a ceiling or high on a wall would cause so i dont really understand your point?

My question was simple, would you advise the client to retrofit fire rated clips in the trunking? Or advise that it conforms to a previous edition?

 

[westward10]

The Report should state facts, that the cables are not suitably supported to prevent premature collapse in the event of a fire. That is it, any advice or remedial suggestions come later. This should be in Reports now if cables are on escape routes.

 

[polo1]

Depends; if it was an escape route, possible C2; elsewhere presuming a 17th Ed or earlier instal, C3.

 

[Risteard]

Personally I would view a lack of suitable supports to prevent premature collapse in the event of a fire as quite a serious defect (unless there was particular evidence that it wouldn't pose a danger).

We are aware of the hazards of this and the fact that several firefighters have died as a result of this, so I think it's a red herring to argue whether it was compliant at the time of installation or not.

 

[Risteard]

presuming a 17th Ed or earlier instal, C3.

What has the Edition it was installed to got to do with the level of danger posed?

 

[polo1]

I ain’t getting into a debate, but in mho, the requirement for supporting cables in escape routes was introduced in the 17th Edition, the regs are not retrospective, therefore if installed before the requirement, C3.

 

[davesparks]

I ain’t getting into a debate, but in mho, the requirement for supporting cables in escape routes was introduced in the 17th Edition, the regs are not retrospective, therefore if installed before the requirement, C3.

The regs are not retrospective so you don’t have to go back and change things on previously completed jobs.
However an EICR is not a previously completed job or part of it, it is a completely separate thing. An EICR is not carried out to prove that an existing installation has remained unchanged nor to verify it against its original specification.
An EICR is carried out to the current regulations and it is intended to ensure the continued safety of the installation which includes identifying items which have now been recognised as dangerous.

 

[davesparks]

Would you advise to retrofit the clips in the trunking? Or state that the trunking conforms to a previous edition of the regulations?
.

If you found double pole (L&N) fusing would you code it or just state that it conforms to a previous edition of the regulations?

 

[netblindpaul]

“the industry” will be pushing hard for severe coding of this because the lack of fire resistant supports has killed fire fighters who were trying to resuce trapped persons who then also died.
The guidance will be C3, and may even be C2.

 

[Nigel]

It will be coded as a C3 for me. Regardless of location.

As this Reg is designed for the safety of fire fighters I see it as a Reg not for electrical safety so therefore a C1 or a C2 would be inappropriate.

 

[westward10]

“the industry” will be pushing hard for severe coding of this because the lack of fire resistant supports has killed fire fighters who were trying to resuce trapped persons who then also died.
The guidance will be C3, and may even be C2.

Where will this guidance be published.

 

[netblindpaul]

Where will this guidance be published.

I suspect that it will make its way into Electrcial Safety First publications, & guidance from the scams.

 

[netblindpaul]

It will be coded as a C3 for me. Regardless of location.

As this Reg is designed for the safety of fire fighters I see it as a Reg not for electrical safety so therefore a C1 or a C2 would be inappropriate.

I see what you mean, but, coding relates to the ongoing safety of the electrical installation, and thus the danger it poses.
If the guidance published by the “industry” says C2, with reasons and explanation, you may have a difficult time justifying a lower code?
Especially when the requirements for this have been implied for many years before it became detailed in BS7671.