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

psychicwarrior

hello good day

There have been many questions over time on this subject and surprisingly [to me] it seems that more often than not there is little/no objection to doing so... even suggesting in some cases that it is no different to running cables in/through/down wall cavities. There is no specific regulatory reason ever presented either to suggest not.

My take has always been that the/a fire place and chimney , even if blocked up,  (and similar to a wall cavity) has a specific purpose and is not expected to carry cables within/though it; is/can be subject to environmental factors [arguably] difficult to mitigate; might get repurposed again (in case of blocked up fireplace). Based on that, despite being asked, I've not ever run cables within/through such.

The other day I was questioned and considered as being over-cautious  regarding [yet another] request for a socket behind a tv on a chimney breast, with a blocked up fireplace below (complete with air vent grille) of course.  "Cant you just drill into it and take a wire through from a socket on the side to the socket behind the TV position, as it would be the easiest option".  No I said again leaving out he fishing of cable etc.

Well, always willing to review being over cautious and take correction,   so what's the view from folks on this forum ...  have 'you' done such  ,  or think it similarly inappropriate  ?  

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  • 0

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

  • 0 in reply to Sergio Fernandez

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

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

  • 0 in reply to psychicwarrior

    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. 

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  • 0 in reply to psychicwarrior

    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. 

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