Swa clipped with plastic cleats found during condition report.

How rough is the pub - are the plastic clips likely to be weakened by a fire and the punters still standing about in the beer garden laughing and adding an occasional seat to the blaze?


Even if this happened would the cable fall and do anything more than lie on the ground looking sad ?

- If it can  droop across a path or door or gateway then yes probably  it needs extra clipping, but if it just slides down a solid wall that no-one can walk through anyway, well so what ?


plastic cleats on their own are not an issue, only if there is a credible entranglement risk if they fail.

For my money I'd say C3 if it could fall across an escape route (comparable to an indoor socket without 30mA RCD protection to my mind) - but if it would just hang a little lower on the wall or fall to the ground at the foot of the wall and not get in anybody's way during a fire, then a just note at most - no code (doesn't comply but doesn't pose a danger - code 4 in old money).


   - Andy.

My first thought is don't be daft - it's outdoors, so it's a nothing.


My second thought is whether the beer garden might be a place of safety for customers and staff in the event of a fire. If that is the case, it's even dafter to consider C-anything.

Thanks for all the replies,

                                     regards,Hz

My view is one needs to start with the hazard. Is there anything that could catch fire near the cable in question. If it crosses above a window then probably yes, but if it is just along a wall then is there material that could catch fire and where is the hazard if it did? 

Its always refreshing to read the forum humorist and his endless quips, but getting back to reality, we must understand what additional support is required for wiring systems, we must firstly check what has changed in BS7671. The location where additional support is required is now much greater than before. The 17th mentioned escape routes, it now says access and egress routes meaning both entry in and out of the building.


The 18th is explicit that plastic clips should not be used as the sole support for cables. In addition reference is made to the spacing of the metallic clips and fixing methods. The reason for requiring metallic fixing is to reduce the risk of cables causing an obstruction, both to people inside the building and also the emergency services.


Larger cables and bundles should be fixed within a tray or basket. This with stainless steel cable ties give maximum compliance in the event of a fire.


In all fairness, the particular situation spoken about seems just a cable clipped along a wall wit no entry/exits so no need to code.


Regards, UKPN.