SWA buried at 50mm

[ringer]

Customer has just had new driveway laid. Concrete drive alongside house with approx 100mm width of gravel between concrete drive and wall of house. SWA runs alongside house to garage (approx 4 metres) and has been clipped to external wall of house at depth of 50mm below top of gravel. Customer does not want to see cable above the gravel, nor will he consider burying deeper (not enough slack anyway).
I am considering adding a 'Warning buried cable' sign to the side of the house at about 50mm above the gravel. Would this be sufficient?

 

[enigma]

wouldnt hurt I supose

 

[Silly Sausage]

Customer has just had new driveway laid. Concrete drive alongside house with approx 100mm width of gravel between concrete drive and wall of house. SWA runs alongside house to garage (approx 4 metres) and has been clipped to external wall of house at depth of 50mm below top of gravel. Customer does not want to see cable above the gravel, nor will he consider burying deeper (not enough slack anyway).
I am considering adding a 'Warning buried cable' sign to the side of the house at about 50mm above the gravel. Would this be sufficient?

There was a fun discussion about this a few weeks ago!

Can you see where the cable enters the ground at both ends of the house?
If so, I would say that's OK, especially with the warning lable.

 

[yousaf]

Yes you may do, but the warning sign does not create an obstruction and is not big enough to attract unnecessary attention also. The customer should be made aware of any subsequent after effects.

 

[ruston]

Without seeing it a lot would depend on the type of traffic / equipment that may be using the drive, especially in the winter eg snow plough blades.

 

[Engineer54]

I hope this gravel is the smooth rounded stuff and not the sharp stone type gravel. If it's the sharp stuff, then that SWA PVC sheath is going to be at risk of being penetrated, especially if it's been tampered down onto the cable...

 

[Silly Sausage]

I hope this gravel is the smooth rounded stuff and not the sharp stone type gravel. If it's the sharp stuff, then that SWA PVC sheath is going to be at risk of being penetrated, especially if it's been tampered down onto the cable...

It sounds like it's a 'French drain' as my posh (well his Mrs has delusions of grandeur) mate calls it. Just a small ditch along the edge of the house then pour pebbles into it, he used small round white ones, no need to tamp down. He thinks it acts as a soak away and looks nice.

 

[malcolmsanford]

Yes you may do, but the warning sign does not create an obstruction and is not big enough to attract unnecessary attention also. The customer should be made aware of any subsequent after effects.

I don't believe the OP was thinking of putting a physical barrier or obstacle across a path, more of a laminated sign attached to the wall.

 

[ringer]

Yes, a small aluminium or laminated sign attached to the wall. It is very much like a 'French Drain'. And yes, the gravel is not sharp. The band of gravel is so narrow I can not see anyone driving over it without scraping their paintwork on the wall. Likewise it will be difficult for anyone to ram a spade into the cable. As for a snowplough - well I can't remember the last time I saw a snowplough go up someone's driveway

Sent from my HTC Sensation using Tapatalk

 

[ruston]

You do'nt live in the North then. Some people do have those small tractors with all the attachments , as I said difficult without seeing it. I'ts your call, if you are happy that it can't be mechanically damaged then it's fine.

 

[oxocube]

All seems ok to me and I can't see how it could be accidently damaged. As others have said 'your call' if you are still concerned then stick the cable on an rcd. Can it be damaged where it drops into/rises from the gravel?

 

[topquark]

Not sure what the SWA is supplying/bringing in, assuming there's an earth involved () it should be labelled as required by 542.3.2. Also minimum size of 2.5mm per Table 54.1. Can't see a problem otherwise.

 

[Knobhead]

You could add a ½ round capping where the cable enters and leaves the ground to protect it. On a personal note I wouldn’t be happy with the sign on the side of my house. There are regulations as to the height and size.