Loft wiring and insulation?

[macka09]

Hi all.
Our existing loft has had new insulation put in recently by the look of it, with the insulation covering the existing wiring. Am I breaking any regs or causing a potential hazard by fitting some loft boards for storage?
Thanks guys.

 

[telectrix]

the lighting wiring should not be a problem,.it's shower cable that could be derated by up to 50% by insulation. advisable to clear insulation from around any shower cable , or other cable that is running close to it's limit.

 

[macka09]

There's no shower wire in the house. I assume it's all just a lighting circuit.

 

[Spoon]

If you follow Tel's advice in post 2 then you will be ok.

 

[hightower]

As for loft boards, probably not wise to fit direct to joists as it will flatten your insulation and also could potentially crush cables. You can get these stilts which you can board on top of which will keep your insulation and cable in tact:

YBS Loft Storage Stilts 0.15m x 0.21m Pack of 12 | Loft Insulation | Screwfix.com

Or, if you just want a bit storage space I've just fitted a few of these to our loft to take the weight of a few boxes etc:

Loftleg Loft Ledge Kit For Trussed Roofs | Wickes.co.uk

Could probably make your own loft ledge or similar if you are handy, I just needed a 5 minute quick fix.

 

[macka09]

I'm gonna screw down the board but where a few cables run along the sides of the joists I'm just gonna move the insulation away so if any cable heats up there's no insulation squashed against it. The main run of cables run along the edges of the loft where I'm not going to board anyway

 

[telectrix]

try to avoid screwing into the cables. i'd advise just laying the boards unfixed. they'll not go anywhere with stuff on top and it's a damn sight easier to lift a board or 2 if you need to add any wiring.

 

[hightower]

If you squash the insulation you realise it won't have the same effect as an insulator resulting in possible energy loss? Hence the reason behind those stilts

 

[Hellmooth]

try to avoid screwing into the cables. i'd advise just laying the boards unfixed. they'll not go anywhere with stuff on top and it's a damn sight easier to lift a board or 2 if you need to add any wiring.

Pet hate is the tongue and groove boards filing the whole loft space and screwed down to within an inch of their life's!!!

 

[macka09]

I've had to screw them because of the width of the joists compared to the length of boards. I have only put enough down for storage.