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Electrical Equipment in Proximity to Sprinklers - BS7671 Reg 512.2

RichHaze

Hello,

A contractor is proposing to install IP20 luminaires below the sprinkler heads in a new build industrial facility.  If the sprinklers go off (which can be at a relatively low temperature of 60 degrees Celsius)) then the luminaires will be subject to water ingress and could become waterlogged. 

I have asked them to comment on how this complies with BS7671 regulation 512.2 (specifically 512.2.1).  The answer they have provided is vague and to the effect that "this is the way we've always done it".  They haven't provided a specific answer as to how this complies with BS7671.

I am trying to understand how the wiring regulations should be applied where we have sprinklers in buildings:  I am struggling to imagine that electrical installations throughout buildings are IP rated for the sprinkler system activation.

Does anyone have experience in answering this question?

Thanks,

Richard

Parents
  • 0

    Is the activation of fire sprinklers considered to be the normal/expected sort of environmental conditions we're expected to take into account?

    If they did go off, they should saturate just about every surface, and I don't recall ever seeing IPX5 sockets or switches indoors in a building fitted with sprinklers. Even in a normal domestic we don't really take account of the roof springing a leak or a burst water pipe - which probably occur more frequently than sprinklers going off. Likewise if there is a fire, we might expect cables not to fall down prematurely, but we wouldn't expect a general installation to keep working normally.

    My feeling is that if the building is on fire, a bit of water in a fitting is the least of your worries. Even in a building without sprinklers the fire brigade will be spraying water all over anyway, so I'm tending to think that just ignoring the sprinkler system might make sense.

       - Andy.

Reply
  • 0

    Is the activation of fire sprinklers considered to be the normal/expected sort of environmental conditions we're expected to take into account?

    If they did go off, they should saturate just about every surface, and I don't recall ever seeing IPX5 sockets or switches indoors in a building fitted with sprinklers. Even in a normal domestic we don't really take account of the roof springing a leak or a burst water pipe - which probably occur more frequently than sprinklers going off. Likewise if there is a fire, we might expect cables not to fall down prematurely, but we wouldn't expect a general installation to keep working normally.

    My feeling is that if the building is on fire, a bit of water in a fitting is the least of your worries. Even in a building without sprinklers the fire brigade will be spraying water all over anyway, so I'm tending to think that just ignoring the sprinkler system might make sense.

       - Andy.

Children
  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury

    Hello,

    Sprinkler activation would be abnormal and not expected during normal operation.

    I also can't recall any installations that have IP rated infrastructure to respond to sprinkler activation.

    It would be useful if the IET could produce a comment on this area of the wiring regulations.  

    Thanks for your replies,

    Richard

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