Running cables horizontally along the 150mm top of wall

[n180]

1. Top of the wall – where the wall meets the ceiling there is a 150mm zone where cables should be run. It is at the top of the wall and runs horizontally around the whole wall

House is made of concrete floors. So I'm planning on using the top 150mm of wall (safe zone) by ceiling, to run cables horizontally. As it's not that common, is there anything else I need to consider like what if the kitchen fitter screws a screw somewhere there trying to fit a unit? Would you bother covering it with 3mm steel sheet (earthed)?

Is there something I'm missing, because i'm just wondering why people run cables in steel conduit when faced with concrete buildings, when the 150mm method is cheaper and quicker, safe, and meets the regs. Obviously there will be RCD protection.

Thanks in advance.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Would you bother covering it with 3mm steel sheet (earthed)?

why would you do that ,you need to read the on site guided for guidance on safe zones .

 

[Charlie_]

Probably best to let the kitchen fitter know first.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

It's classed as an electrical zone so it is fine to run your cables there without mechanical protection. You're right in saying it's not often used so I would tell the kitchen fitter where you have put your cables and also tell the homeowner to cover (to a degree) future DIY projects.

 

[Toneyz]

Never liked these zones (I know they meet the regs) So I can see your concerns. I would take a minimum of taking a photo of the cables at 1st fix and emailing it to the client (and maybe the kitchen fitter) together with the illustration in the O.S.G.

 

[Leesparkykent]

if the floors are ceilings then the walls are more than likely reinforced concrete? Will be PITA to chase etc. how big is the kitchen? Could top hat/ceiling furring the ceiling and board it.

 

[Toneyz]

if the floors are ceilings then the walls are more than likely reinforced concrete? Will be PITA to chase etc. how big is the kitchen? Could top hat/ceiling furring the ceiling and board it.

You would have to take in consideration the cables being more than 50mm from the surface.

 

[buzzlightyear]

the best thing for the op is to draw a diagram on sheet of paper to tell the kitchen fitter where the cable runs are .

 

[Leesparkykent]

You would have to take in consideration the cables being more than 50mm from the surface.

Top hat is 50mm then 12.5mm board.

 

[Toneyz]

Top hat is 50mm then 12.5mm board.

So you would be notching 12.5mm or less out of the top hat of its a wooden batton you are referring to.

 

[Leesparkykent]

So you would be notching 12.5mm or less out of the top hat of its a wooden batton you are referring to.

No I wouldn’t notch anything. If was doing the whole job or would discuss with the client about doing it the way I’ve mentioned....especially if the kitchen is being done, plastered etc. I would run the cables in one section then nail gun top hat to the concrete ceiling either side of the run of cables the plasterboard on top of the top hat.

Just run the cables where there isn’t going to be a join in the plaster board....so not at 1.2 or 2.4.

Speedline 50mm Ceiling Channel Section SSMF5

The Speedline Ceiling Furring is suitable to be used as part of a Metal Furring (MF) Ceiling System. To join Speedline SSMF5 Ceiling Furring, overlap by at least 150mm and secure to both sides with suitable fixings. Length: 3600mm

www.insulationexpress.co.uk

 

[telectrix]

or surface mount cables within the 6" top of wall/s then fit coving or decorative trunking.

 

[Toneyz]

No I wouldn’t notch anything. If was doing the whole job or would discuss with the client about doing it the way I’ve mentioned....especially if the kitchen is being done, plastered etc. I would run the cables in one section then nail gun top hat to the concrete ceiling either side of the run of cables the plasterboard on top of the top hat.

Just run the cables where there isn’t going to be a join in the plaster board....so not at 1.2 or 2.4.

Speedline 50mm Ceiling Channel Section SSMF5

The Speedline Ceiling Furring is suitable to be used as part of a Metal Furring (MF) Ceiling System. To join Speedline SSMF5 Ceiling Furring, overlap by at least 150mm and secure to both sides with suitable fixings. Length: 3600mm

www.insulationexpress.co.uk

Yes, I can see that working, the cable being fixed so they would not come in contact with the steel edging or be where fixings would be.