Sealing mains boards

[ChrisElectrical88]

Evening all. I have been carrying out quite a number of EICRs recently as well as Remedials in some pubs and shops. Nearly every mains board I have come across the installer has completely ignored the regulations on IP ratings of the boards. 20mm holes all over the places for 2x1mm cables or 1x2.5mm or 32mm holes for the tails obviously leaving more than the 1mm allowed in the top.

What is the best method to seal these, Silicone seems to be the most practiced method at the company, which whilst is done very neatly still isn't 100% right for fire resistance (I have used 300 degree silicone instead of the normal stuff)

Surely these must be a better way though, how do you do it? Any ideas would be fantastic.

Edit: I know compression glands would be a great solution but they are not always practicable.

 

[freddo]

There seems to be no mention about sealing the back of the boards, just the top surface. I always aim to get all the cables in the back for that reason. I have a hydraulic sheet metal punch set and a load of matching grommets. I just select the size that is just big enough to get all the cables in comfortably, allowing a little space to add future circuits. If there is a big hole in the wall where the cables come through, I do make an effort to seal that before fitting the new board.