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Holes in ceiling

JDW

The property I’m working on have some holes in the ceiling where wiring comes though straight into plastic trunking (the lights have been moved at some time).

Are holes allowed like this or do they need something over them?

I was going to put a square pattress box over the holes, is this acceptable or even needed?

  • 0

    From an electrical perspective are the cables protected against damage on the edges,? Note  normal insulated and sheathed cable would normally need no further protection unless the hole edges are sharp. Single cores might need something like flexi conduit.

    If the holes bridge between fire zones ( classic is between flats or 3 story buildings) then the holes need to be fire stopped.

    how big are the holes and what is above - anything that would need protection from a fire below ?

    Mike.

  • 0

    I affixed some white blanking plates over holes in a similar situation.

    Z.

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    Its a standard plasterboard ceiling with a flat above,

    I've just noticed that the six way JB boxes have rear knockouts, (I needed to fit a 4 way JB anyway) would this be acceptable to fit over the hole?

    it was the fire issue that was concerning me

  • 0

    Generally, most ceilings will be expected to have some kind of fire protection, not just those forming a fire compartment (plus requirements for noise and possibly draughts) - but some research a while ago suggested that a few 50mm holes in a conventional ceiling (with solid timber joists) made little difference to its fire performance.

    If the holes are small (cable sized - 20 or 30mm say) and covered by the trunking then I'd not worry. If the holes are still exposed, I'd favour filling them with some plaster-like material. If the holes are large in a plasterboard ceiling , I tend to use off-cuts of plasterboard - glue one strip behind, and then glue a hole shaped bit onto that to mostly fill the hole and give a surface flush with the original plasterboard - a bit of fine filler can then make a practically invisible repair once painted.

      - Andy.

  • 0

    Thank you Andy, the hole does need some work as it looks like the last person favoured the Lump hammer 

    I think I will use some filler and a 6 way JB to cover the hole, are there any issues using a 6 way box for a switched live lighting circuit?

    I’m not keen on the cheap JB’s but at least it will be accessible on the ceiling!  

  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury

    50mm holes may have little effect on fire performance, but it's more often smoke that's the killer. Fire compartments have to be sealed against the passage of smoke as well as flames.

    regards, burn

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