Loft insulation companies V's Electrical consideration?

[1shortcircuit]

Do loft insulation companies just throw their lovely candy floss straight over whatever is there or do they take any measures to protect the electrical installation.

I'm guessing it's the first but I have just learnt that a family member is having their loft insulation upgraded next month and they have asked that I pop around and check their wiring for them.

Would anyone be kind enough please to advise of what protective measures you would be looking to take in this situation?

Are their any tricks of the trade that may help or is just a case of make alterations to ensure that the circuits do not make contact?

Kind Regards

1Sc

 

[Sickmick]

The main circuits in a loft are lighting and shower cables on a 2 storey house, but all circuits if it's a bungalow. There's some new reference methods in the current regs regarding flat cables surrounded by thermal insulation, ref method 101, along with max current carrying capacity. Lighting cables should be alright, but if you've got a shower, cooker or ring main you'll be over the max current carrying capacity.

 

[diditrain]

There job is to get the loft insulated as quickly as possible and then move onto the next. Their supervisor may carry out a risk assessment but i very much doubt that they will even consider the electrical installation. When you start putting insulation on top of electrical cables there ability to dissipate heat is affected.
Ideally your cables should be above the insulation and will therefore be able to safely carry the current that they were designed to carry

 

[1shortcircuit]

Sorry I should have mentioned that it is a house so I'm almost sure it's just the 6mm electric shower cable and the lighting circuit in the loft:thumbsup

 

[Sickmick]

There job is to get the loft insulated as quickly as possible and then move onto the next. Their supervisor may carry out a risk assessment but i very much doubt that they will even consider the electrical installation. When you start putting insulation on top of electrical cables there ability to dissipate heat is affected.
Ideally your cables should be above the insulation and will therefore be able to safely carry the current that they were designed to carry

All cables in lofts should be clipped to joists where practicable, not laid on top of the insulation.

 

[Sickmick]

Sorry I should have mentioned that it is a house so I'm almost sure it's just the 6mm electric shower cable and the lighting circuit in the loft:thumbsup

6mm cable surrounded by thermal insulation is rated at 25 amps, so to comply with BS7671 you either have to re route the cable away from insulation, or re-wire in 10mm.

 

[cadspark]

I have run shower cable through 100mm drain pipe in a loft to stop it coming in contact with insulation.

 

[telectrix]

i.m sick of some indian call centre ringing up offering us free loft insulation. first 2 times i told them to do it right or not at all, kingspan between roof rafters. too expensive they say. but you told me it was free. told them to go forth and multiply on subsequent calls.

 

[haj]

You also need to consider any dowlights. I have just fitted some JCC loft braces adrift call them a flat pack metal cover to protect the light and maintain air around the fitting.

 

[1shortcircuit]

I have run shower cable through 100mm drain pipe in a loft to stop it coming in contact with insulation.

This thought has been going through my mind all day.

That does sound like a very good option. I'm looking at the house tomorrow and i'll see if this is an option. I will also see if there are any down-lighters as someone else mentioned. We do not need a fire in this house because the occupants are elderly.

Thanks for your posts so far, it's very much appreciated as always.

 

[Geoffsd]

I have often wondered the same about cavity wall insulation in older properties.

I expect the companies who do it are really mindful of the cables in the cavity.

 

[1shortcircuit]

I have often wondered the same about cavity wall insulation in older properties.

I expect the companies who do it are really mindful of the cables in the cavity.

There must be regulations that draw attention to this? After all it is creating a potentially hazardous and life threatening situation

 

[SW1970]

When I had my house done, the surveyor didn't even look at the wiring in the loft. Simply took an ultrasound measure and recorded the dimensions. Down goes a shed load of insulation, all over the top of LV downlighters and shower cable. Worst still, he drilled a hole in an upstairs exterior wall (with my permission as we were shortly to have that room refurbished) to see if there was a cavity. The pile of dust that came out was not wholly brick coloured. Being prior to my asbestos awareness I had no idea; but neither did he! In goes inspection camera; "yep, there's a cavity". Pile of white dust remained for 2 days before I decided to clear it up. 6 months later when the room was being refurbished my builder give me the bad news about the asbestos, exactly where the hole was drilled. Alas, room was the bathroom and the family was in and out of it for those 2 days. What a shame I didn't take a photo of it. Broadly, despite being a household name company, these guys are idiots and haven't got a clue.

If there is an installation certificate in the loft (normally stapled to a joist) and if insulation has been laid without due care of the electrical installation, I inform the householder in writing and recommend they ask the insulation company why the installation was left in a potentially dangerous state, and then quote to re-do wiring to comply. A quick discussion between the electrician and the loft insulation company (on customer's request) goes a long way to getting loft insulation co to fund it. Let's do away with mediocrity in domestic contracting.

 

[hitech]

Friends of mine recently arranged to let one of those door to door companies "working on behalf of the government" insulate their loft. I suggested they ask about their downlighters. The response was that they would just cover them.

They cancelled the first lot, called an energy saving help line and got another (more reputable) company who said they were not allowed to, and would never, cover downlighters.

My overall advice, as with any other job, is don't buy from the door.

 

[telectrix]

it's not just the electrical installation that suffers. you can't find the joists to step on. you can't store anything in the loft. all for the sake of saving a few quid on the heating bill to offset the running costs of the new 30kW shower and the 69kW cooker.