LSF cable

[IQ Electrical]

The only 'guidance' I've seen mentioned assessing the risk as in ease of evacuation, complexity/size of building etc.

Regulation 422.2.1 covers escape routes and Low smoke cabling.

Personal opinion, when you look at how much PVC containment etc. is used and what state the building would probably be in by the time the burning wiring system became a serious concern, there might be some 'hype' going on with LSF.

 

[spud1]

I know of a contractor who has recently completed a steel conduit and PVC singles installation in a school and has has rip old wiring back out and replace with LSF singles. Thats what happens when you dont read the architects spec I suppose...

 

[IQ Electrical]

Well I hope they spec'd LSF steel conduit then!

 

[Welchyboy]

I see more and more of this stuff used nowadays, is there any regs that require if and when you use it or is it down to a designers preference?

 

[rmc86uk]

Not sure on the exact requirements but it may be upto the client or I heard something about being used in public buildings e.g shopping centres, schools but then surely you would use it in peoples homes! I also think that sometimes it isn't used where it should be is down to cost because its like 20 quid more than standard PVC cable. I only ever work with LSF now so its seems to be the norm.

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[Welchyboy]

well thats what i thought, has anyone got any definate answers as it would be good to know, as said above the price difference is quite a substantial consideration.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Main halls and corridors (in blocks of flats/apartments).....

 

[Welchyboy]

yeah that would make sense!

 

[GLENNSPARK]

It would be a design consideration as dont forget that LSF is 90* thermosetting.......

 

[Superspark23]

Our council requested to use it up about 2006, so save the house being rewired if the flats or houses got set alight unfortuantly the short sighted council forgot about any containment used, so they ended up reverting back to standard T&E

 

[WazBez]

Well I hope they spec'd LSF steel conduit then!

I spoke to NICEIC technical help line today on a matter like this they said LSF cable does not have to be used in schools unless specified but it is not a regulation that you have to use it.

 

[WazBez]

NICEIC tech say there is no regulation for it to be used in schools it's down to spec

 

[tazz]

LSF cable is usually specified under the designers risk assessment not as a regulation....LSF cables have no ability to be fire proof, but are low in toxic fumes, compared to standard pvc.....so designers are trying to prevent a building being filled with toxic fumes.

 

[spark 68]

As I understood it (but could be wrong), LSF is a requirement for tunnels, rail or otherwise, but as others have said it is a designers choice most of the time, or it could be the insurers who require it for public buildings such as shopping centres, colleges, hospitals etc..etc...

It is possibly over used on some projects due to people in charge (insurers etc..) being of primarily office based and non-technical backgrounds.

 

[tazz]

Again it would be down to the designers and construction companies risk assessment.......for underground rail, the designer may suggest the risk is to high even using lsf, and insist on Piro, or FP100 singles in steel conduit, or steel trunking,.....a large office building over only 2 floors he may suggest LSF as the risk is lower.