Hi - I'm currently working on a residential project that has a protected corridor. I'm happy with how to deal with the general wiring and compliance, however I have been asked the question regarding the cabling between the luminaire and the driver. How to make this compliant, has anyone else had this issue. Section 422.2 clearly addresses the supply cable requirements but I can't find anything relating to the driver cables. Help most appreciated.
But the detail has changed again in +A4:2026.
- Andy.
True, but following the corrigendum issued three years ago, the term ‘protected corridor’ is not included, which suggests that an older version of the regs being used as the question is about cables in Protected Corridors.
Lyle Dunn is the person to take guidance from on this subject, not me.
Hi thanks for your responses, I am using the latest regs and am happy with how we are specifying and supporting the supply cabling.
My question refers to the fly lead that is between the luminaire unit and it's driver. These are usually supplied with the fitting, I can't find anything referring to the specification or treatment of these cables. So has anyone else been asked about this, should we be treating them in the same way as the LV cabling, should manufacturers be supplying these with rated cables or is it deemed a low enough risk that they are not considered?
If it is like the one which Alan mentioned, surely it comes under whichever product standard applies to it.
As with many things electric, there’s more than one way of choosing light fixtures, V-TAC a lighting manufacturer comment on their website “If the aim is to create a strong barrier against fire, then fire-resistant lights with 30, 60, or 90-minute ratings are the best option. On the other hand, if the goal is to provide a safe escape route during fires, lights with TP(a) or TP(b) rated covers are the way to go.”.
www.vtacexports.com/.../what-are-fire-rated-downlights-understanding-tp-a-and-tp-b-covers
So back to the ceiling, if the suspended ceiling is a fire barrier, is the void above the corridor ceiling in the corridor?
The light fixture referenced above is TP(a) Rated, I presume it’s not actually fire rated and won’t stop a fire breaching the suspended ceiling if it is a fire barrier? So the void above the ceiling is in the corridor?
The suspended ceiling is not a barrier so effectively the void is in the corridor, it's being treated as one space. The fittings selected are not fire rated as the ceiling is not a barrier so we didn't think it necessary. I've already spent time on this and spoken with manufacturers and Fire advisors etc, I was really wondering if anyone else has come across this issue and how they handled it. It sounds as if it's one for the manufacturers.
On a side note I've had Building control reject plastics of any kind in protected staircases including the TPA & TPB types.
One of my daughters bought a flat in a converted warehouse, I was never happy about the standard of construction as it has internal access balconies built out of timber decking boards, however my daughters flat directly accessed one of the original internal fire escape stairways across a concrete landing and the stairwell is a sterile area with the electrical installation installed in steel conduit, along suitable fittings.
On the fifth June last year the Fire Brigade put a closure order on the building, luckily my daughter had sold her flat as there is still 24/7 security patrols stopping people from entering their own homes.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxepgg0g91o
Since the Grenfell disaster there’s far less tolerance of what may be considered minor issues and my insurance like many others have capped the cover provided for fire related claims, indeed some insurance companies have stopped providing electricians with professional indemnity insurance because of it..
The “it’s only 600 mm of cable, so it can be ignored” approach would not be enough for me, I would want reassurance that the whole fitting is suitable, including the cable.
I agree, everyone is far more cautious and rightly so. I also agree that as the designer responsible I'd like reassurance that the whole fitting is compliant, which I'm struggling to do as the fittings don't appear to be covered specifically anywhere that I can see. But if it's all one void, the luminaire is a plastic fitting does the type of cable make that much difference and as they allow socket outlets in the space which could have anything plugged in I'm struggling to "interpret" the requirements. The suppliers I've spoken to have recommended using a fire resistance hood and ensuring the cable is contained within it.
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