Change to cable fixing best practice
The 17th edition of Wiring Regulations sees amendments to BS 7671, the national standard in the United Kingdom for low voltage electrical installations. One of the changes includes ensuring all cable installations in escape routes are fixed with fire-resistant components to improve fire safety of the occupants and fire fighters.
Previously it was not required for cables to be secured with fire-resistant fixings except in the case of some emergency systems where the relevant ‘code of practice’ stipulated circuit integrity in the event of fire.
BS7671: 2008 - Amendment 3 - understands that it is not just the risk of failing fire safety systems that are hazardous but that falling cable itself presents a risk. Fallen and falling cables are particularly hazardous as they can block escape routes and potentially entangle those escaping or fighting the fire. In light of this robust components must now be used to fix all cable in escape routes to fire-resistant parts of the building fabric.
Prysmian’s FP website has a series of guidance documents that include suitable fixing advice for fire performance cables. These same guides can be referenced for the new amendment requirements for fixing of non-fire resistant cables within escape routes.