If a plastic consumer unit is housed in a "non-combustible material" enclosure (421.1.201 (ii)) what is the definition of non-combustible? And non combustible for how long in case of fire?
Z.
Well given that the reg on the line below considers steel non combustible, and anyone who has used a thermic lance knows that this is far from the case (*), I suspect they really mean 'does not sustain burning in free air'
So Brick, hardibacker cement boards, stone glass etc. Oh, and steel. But probably not aluminium or magnesium ;-)
Mike.
PS there is a BS 476 spec for flammability of building materials - they could have referenced it.
Other related standards
https://www.firesafe.org.uk/british-standard-476-fire-tests/
Note that certain ceramic loaded plastics that are more ceramic powder than the plastic are also essentially non-combustible when tested this way..
* PPS actually if you have an oxy bottle available, you do not even need a real thermic lance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH5c796e6_0
- at a push spaghetti and oxygen will do for cutting thin sheet steel if you follow this comedian.
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