Trunking in house (18th edition)

[peterhyper]

I admit to not taking too much notice of the 18th edition changes as I only took my 18th exam last week (no excuses I am not a good spark like most on here).

I have a flat to do that needs the lighting circuit rewired, but being the ceilings are like concrete and the owners don't want major disruption, it will be done in mini trunking. I usually use self adhesive trunking and seal it with white no nails to give it a strong fixing as drilling through concrete to fix screws in will be an absolute nightmare. So where do I technically stand not using metal fixings to secure it?

 

[Spoon]

So where do I technically stand not using metal fixings to secure it?

You have to use the proper fixing to stop the cable from collapsing, in case of a fire. This will involve drilling.

 

[Michael Sands]

You stand in front of the judge and try to explain why someone was strangled by your dangling live wires when trying to get out of a burning house

 

[telectrix]

what's the chance of fitting false ceilings on a 3 x 2 studding?

 

[buzzlightyear]

what's the chance of fitting false teeth and going out studding

I would def go with that .

 

[Andy78]

I've always fixed adhesive trunking anyway, the adhesive is for holding it to the wall while you fix it
D-line fixings inside the trunking too.

 

[freddo]

drilling through concrete to fix screws in will be an absolute nightmare.

Why is that? SDS drills are mighty powerful, then an impact driver to drive a concrete screw into the hole. Did a load of steel conduit last month into concrete walls and ceilings that way.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Unfortunetly you can no longer simply use sticky back trunking for re-wires. The plastic trunking and more importantly the cables in the trunking have to be fixed to the fabric of the building using a metal fixing.
There are many ways to achieve this from purpose made clips to a bit of cut up metal bandy strap.
Either way every single method will require fixing to the ceiling in this case.
Nomore nails glue will not meet the new regs

 

[billyblade]

Drilling through concrete using an SDS drill and good quality bits is not a nightmare.
Drilling through concrete with a combi drill and percussion drill bits is

 

[peterhyper]

Thanks guys.

 

[Squid]

How old is the flat and how is the current wiring run around the flat, did a job with my uncle many years back in a 1920's block and managed to utilise the old conduit and run in singe core cables.

 

[peterhyper]

How old is the flat and how is the current wiring run around the flat, did a job with my uncle many years back in a 1920's block and managed to utilise the old conduit and run in singe core cables.

Not sure how old the flat is, but I would guess 1940s. The current lighting circuit is in singles and is run inside steel conduit. I always try pulling singles through, but I haven't had much luck with similar set ups in the past.

 

[telectrix]

a bit of chip fat mixed with fairy liquid does wonders. cables will end up clean and greasy at the same time.

 

[peterhyper]

Forgive my naivety, but if I run mini trunking along the ceilings, are the metal fixings to support it supposed to completely cover the mini trunking. The reason I ask is because if the fixings are inside the trunking and a fire started, then the trunking covers would just collapse and the cables fall out?

I appreciate this new requirement is as a result of a very unfortunate incident causing the deaths of firemen, but in reality aren't there many other unsafe practices occurring everyday that are ignored (unless a part pee log is used).

Running 16mm mini trunking in a corner of a room is highly unlikely to trap someone in a building.

Also, if the mini trunking is fitted above the skirting boards, does that also have to adhere to the same criteria in case a person under 6" tall gets trapped under it?

 

[telectrix]

sticky back the trunking on, then use metal clips on the cable inside the trunking. several varieties to choose from, even more than heinz57.