mains voltage cable through a 'blocked up' chimney space (flue)

How about a socket under the sink in a kitchen?  At some point it will leak

this is similar to another discussion thread on here called

cables in dry riser shaft

may be worth having a look

To me, it really depends how decommissioned the chimney is. For example if the fireplace is still there, and the stack and clay pot on the roof are still there, then its very much capable of being put back into use at short notice.
If all that is there is a smoothly boarded and plastered over chimney breast, and the external stack has been taken down, then its a pipe that happens to be full of soot. 

Clearly between these extremes is a rather grey area. I don't like the idea of using a former chimney for cables, and would say alternatives if at all possible, but I would not say "never".

If it needs building work to put it back into use, then the same team who are mixing cement to do that can also re-route the wires and remove the TV set, much as they would do if moving an interior brick wall...

Its not really the same as the dry riser, as that was, I understood, still in use for the original purpose - carrying water up the building from a fire pump during a fire, and in principle could be needed to do so with  zero notice.
Mike

that's not the same thing at all to my mind.

can you expland a little on why it might be ? thank you

your reply does reflect some opinions read.

i suppose if the documentation remains at the property, about its existence, then that's another 'cover'.  

there's always ifs and buts ... but to me a chimney flue was/is for that purpose  and not a cable route like others might be  ...    if a cable was further up through it, would anyone *think*  (a spark might) ...   or should anyone  expect, like other places cables are usually  :-)      of course it is a fair point that if it is all effectively decommissioned, then it is indeed a 'soot lined pipe'   ...    :-)

hey ho ...   it seems it isn't always a no-no like I have been, so fair enough,  but  i wonder if anyone on here has done it in the past !    it would be interesting to hear.

thank you for the comments.

522.8 would be relevant here. Cable supports of suitable means at appropriate intervals is stated, which may not be achievable in a sealed area. Also cables within a cavity would not be appropriate due to bridging. Approved document L states “Care must be taken to avoid cold bridging and moisture ingress.”

I am sure that there are many cables left dangling in cavities of one sort or another (I have some at home). Probably safe, but not really compliant, so I would not want to do it. 

As Mike says, there is a spectrum of the meaning of "decommissioned". You could always get Father Christmas to lend a hand. 

There is a school of thought which says that wiring should be for future owners not just thr present. Will someone come unstuck in thr future lighting a fire in an unblocked diy chimney job?

Will someone come unstuck in thr future lighting a fire in an unblocked diy chimney job?

That is my concern with the not very well blocked chimney, if it is too easy to reverse.

However, if they are having to build a new stack and fireplace to light that fire, then building control inspectors will be involved, (or at least they really should be ) .

As part of that the full length of the chimney is supposed to be swept and then inspected, and unless that survey shows it to be perfect, it will probably end up being lined as well. I;d expect any wiring to be found at that point and if not it is in the same league as other cable wrecking unskilled DIY antics.

Such a project is almost  at the same level as building a new chimney onto a wall that never had one previously, and we don't normally allow for that...

Mind you this rather fun indoor charcoal fired BBQ has electric light in the chimney shining down  so you can see what you are  cooking, and it is just a metal bodied lamp holder with wiring entering the side of the chimney almost as far up as a normal  arm can easily reach to change the lamp. 

As is evident from the adjacent 2 pin wall socket, its not in the UK - as to do that here that would be far too dangerous.

It is as good as new after several years apart from being horribly greasy.

Mike.

People do it (install power socket) but I personally think it is rather foolish.  At some point in time the sink with leak or over flow then the water and electricity will not play nicely.  There is also a possibility the sink may be changed for another unit a some point due to age or trend/fashion/design.  It IS worth considering not having the socket Directly under the sink or pipework.


The plumber will/may also agree, as they may not want an electric supply in the vicinity when they are under the sink.  Point to consider, will the Plumber do Safe isolation of power socket prior to dealing with a plumbing issue under sink?  Some plumbers may not even carry out a Risk assessment be it Qualitative, Quantitative or Dynamic prior to working on a kitchen sink.  Caveat time, there should be a socket near a kitchen sink and under the cabinet height but NOT directly below the sink in a highly prone leak area.