Sealing a consumer unit entry points??

[leebut]

Hello Guys


I'm going to put my Tin hat on and close the curtains so the Regs police can't arrest me for asking this question again, I can only find old threads pre 18th edition so please advise me if I'm missing something


I've just been watching a guy on Youtube doing a board change who's said that to comply with the 18th edition of the Wiring Regulations you must seal ALL entry holes into a consumer unit regardless of them coming through the bottom, top, sides or rear entry with a suitable intumescent mastic to stop the spread of fire into the fabrication of the building!!!


I personally am NOT aware that anything changed in the 18th Edition to say all entry points have to be fire sealed I've been looking online tonight and can only find write ups from "Wiring Matters"

Stating


Sealing of wiring entries
It is important for the installer to seal all openings into the enclosure or cabinet for cables, conduits, trunking or ducting that remain after the installation of cables - see Figure 6. The intent of the sealing is to ensure that, as far as is reasonably practicable, any fire is contained within the enclosure or cabinet and the escape of flames to the surroundings of the cabinet or enclosure or into conduits trunking or ducting is minimised, as intended by Regulation 421.1.201.
Good workmanship and proper materials must be used, and account must be taken of the manufacturer’s relevant instructions, if any.


Regulation 421.1.201 Does not mention sealing any apertures in a consumer unit with, grommets, glands or sealant and does not mention that the Metal clad board cannot be fitted to a timber backboard. So why is the IET saying we are to be sealing the holes , personally I've been installing all my boards with cables entering from behind and mounting my boards on the existing wooden backboards using a length of stick on trunking as a framework around the consumer unit.


Am I wrong???

 

[Dustydazzler]

Are we talking about CHris the handyman youtuber sparky plumber builder Tiler plasterer gezza man

 

[leebut]

Are we talking about CHris the handyman youtuber sparky plumber builder Tiler plasterer gezza man

Could be!!!

 

[DPG]

Is it Penry, the mild-mannered janitor?

 

[Charlie_]

Cable access into the metal consumer unit must maintain the integrity of the non-combustable consumer unit so far as reasonably practicable. This can generally be achieved by the installer ensuring that cable access holes they make in the enclosure do not to leave gaps greater than: · 1.0 mm for the horizontal top surface and · 2.5 mm for all other surfaces of the enclosure that are accessible after installation. For rear cable access, the minimum number of knockout(s) shall be removed and a cable protector fitted; see illustration above. Tests on hager consumer units have indicated that there is no specific need for external fire rated cable glands or intumescent sealing in addition to the guidance below, with respect to achieving a non-combustible enclosure. However this does not preclude the designer/installer from using fire rated cable glands or external intumescent sealing should they consider necessary. Internal intumescent pads shall not be used.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Cable access into the metal consumer unit must maintain the integrity of the non-combustable consumer unit so far as reasonably practicable. This can generally be achieved by the installer ensuring that cable access holes they make in the enclosure do not to leave gaps greater than: · 1.0 mm for the horizontal top surface and · 2.5 mm for all other surfaces of the enclosure that are accessible after installation. For rear cable access, the minimum number of knockout(s) shall be removed and a cable protector fitted; see illustration above. Tests on hager consumer units have indicated that there is no specific need for external fire rated cable glands or intumescent sealing in addition to the guidance below, with respect to achieving a non-combustible enclosure. However this does not preclude the designer/installer from using fire rated cable glands or external intumescent sealing should they consider necessary. Internal intumescent pads shall not be used.

well done Charlie I could not put it better me self .

 

[Midwest]

well done Charlie I could not put it better me self .

Didn't somebody(s) else as well

 

[UNG]

Daft as the water in bags sounds Envirograph have already got a fire suppression system for consumer units

 

[Dustydazzler]

I though plastic bags were bad for the environment

They should be using paper bags surely

 

[Reevio]

Bunch of old women.

 

[MJPD29]

It really is out of control they will want us to make it fully air tight and pressure test it before were done

 

[leebut]

It really is out of control they will want us to make it fully air tight and pressure test it before were done

I was told initially sometime back that the consumer units need not be sealed because the main accelerant was the plastic CU so the steel CU was enough to stop a spread of fire, my question at the time was if the plastic CU were to be replaced with steel what about the MCB and plastic blanks why are they not being replaced with a fire proof alternative.

The answers I've been told is, the fires start from loose terminals in the tops of MCB's and the flames melt the plastic CU which spreads the fire, so any opening below the top of the CU doesn't need sealed, hence the reason why I bring my cables in through the back knock outs and I only put flexible grommet strip round to stop damage to the outer sheathing.

An alternative I was told about was to install a length of deep trunking along the top of the CU and run all cables into the trunking through the knockout in the top of the CU but I'm skeptical that that would work.

I personally don't like the look of loads of glands poking out the top of a CU I prefer them to come out the back.


OPINIONS OPINIONS OPINIONS!!!!

 

[ipf]

It really is out of control they will want us to make it fully air tight and pressure test it before were done

We'll have to get a plumber to test our 'lectrics

 

[leebut]

We'll have to get a plumber to test our 'lectrics

I like the idea of the plastic bag full of water in the top that would make a great sprinkler system

 

[MJPD29]

I was told initially sometime back that the consumer units need not be sealed because the main accelerant was the plastic CU so the steel CU was enough to stop a spread of fire, my question at the time was if the plastic CU were to be replaced with steel what about the MCB and plastic blanks why are they not being replaced with a fire proof alternative.

The answers I've been told is, the fires start from loose terminals in the tops of MCB's and the flames melt the plastic CU which spreads the fire, so any opening below the top of the CU doesn't need sealed, hence the reason why I bring my cables in through the back knock outs and I only put flexible grommet strip round to stop damage to the outer sheathing.

An alternative I was told about was to install a length of deep trunking along the top of the CU and run all cables into the trunking through the knockout in the top of the CU but I'm skeptical that that would work.

I personally don't like the look of loads of glands poking out the top of a CU I prefer them to come out the back.


OPINIONS OPINIONS OPINIONS!!!!
I would love to meet the people that make these rules. Admittedly I like the metal boards a lot more than the plastic ones as they had a real cheap feel to them but it's getting over the top. Have to be careful with the rest entry through wood because wood burns can't win going to have to carry a sheet of fire board with me now as well as all the other rubbish

 

[ipf]

I like the idea of the plastic bag full of water in the top that would make a great sprinkler system

As has already been intimated......don't give them ideas for the amendments.