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Cabling and Wiring Methods

Heera

Hi all,

I require some advice on best practice to install cabling on listed buildings.

Scenario: ACS control required on a listed budling which has listed doors, and architraves, including the panelling on some of the walls, all constructed in detail.

The client has requested for the cabling to be installed behind the skirting boards, which have also been there since the building was built, but they can be removed a lot easier.

Question: I understand it do be bad practice for many reasons, however has anyone had an experience with similar installs or site restrictions, and what would you advise being the best possible solution? Or is there anything in the IEE wiring regs to suggest differently?

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  • it is only bad practice if the cable is likely to be disturbed and is not of a type resistant to damage - so you can put cables there that have a built in earth screen that would trip something if hit my a nail. BS8436 cable is expensive, relatively, but may save the day.

    A similar discussion here from a while back.

    and the NICIEC view...here
    "

    Cables conforming to BS 8436 are listed in Regulation 522.6.204 as one of the types of cable incorporating an earthed metallic covering that may be:

    ● Concealed in a wall or partition at a depth of less than 50 mm from the surface, without being run in one of the prescribed zones"

    Mike.

  • in reply to mapj1

    Hi,

    So does that basically mean if I was to utilise BS 8436 cabling, it doesn't need to conform to part M? Therefore the safe prescribed zones? What about RCD protection? Appears as though overcurrent is sufficient?

  • in reply to Heera

    It doesn't need to conform to part M in relation to the minimum height of accessories, as it is not a new build. But the future occupancy of the building might require a minimum height 

    Old skirtings in old buildings tend to be quite high anyway so you shouldn't have problems with bent flexes under plugs.

    Sockets need RCD anyway as does lighting in domestic.

    Routing should be within prescribed zones. 

    Thinking whether the panelling extends to the floor behind the skirtings, there could be a massive gap behind if not, as possibly no plaster there either.

    Anyone working in the future screwing stuff to the boards may have to read any documentation first, which could outline cable routes, plans, elevations etc

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  • in reply to Heera

    It doesn't need to conform to part M in relation to the minimum height of accessories, as it is not a new build. But the future occupancy of the building might require a minimum height 

    Old skirtings in old buildings tend to be quite high anyway so you shouldn't have problems with bent flexes under plugs.

    Sockets need RCD anyway as does lighting in domestic.

    Routing should be within prescribed zones. 

    Thinking whether the panelling extends to the floor behind the skirtings, there could be a massive gap behind if not, as possibly no plaster there either.

    Anyone working in the future screwing stuff to the boards may have to read any documentation first, which could outline cable routes, plans, elevations etc

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