The 18th Edition of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) was published in July 2018 and has been applicable since January 2019. One of the key changes in the 18th Edition was to Chapter 52: Selection and erection of wiring systems. In particular it aims to minimise the risk that falling and fallen cables present in the event of a fire.
Regulation 521.10.202 of the 18th Edition requires all cables to be adequately supported using non-combustible fixings to prevent premature collapse in the event of a fire. In a typical modern building, a large volume of cabling runs through the building to provide data connections and power, but the heat of the fire can cause cable housings to fail. The result is falling and fallen cables that present a serious hazard to those evacuating and especially to firefighters moving into and through the building.
Essentially, this means that the cables have to be fixed in place using metal clips and supports that have a melting point high enough to withstand the heat of a fire. Materials such as plastic and aluminium are therefore no longer acceptable as a sole form of support.
The previous 17th Edition published in July 2015 introduced the requirement for cables to be fixed in this way but only those on designated escape routes. While this helped ensure a safe evacuation for occupants, the firefighters, who needed to access other areas of the building, still risked becoming entangled in the cables. In several tragic cases, firefighters lost their lives when they became trapped by this hazard. This led to the requirement being extended to all cables within a building from the 18th Edition.
The new regulation is not applied retrospectively so any wiring systems fitted before 2019 do not need to be immediately updated. Any new installation or additions and alterations to existing systems, including temporary wiring, have to comply with the regulations. Furthermore, fire resistant clips must also be used, even when cables are supported on metal cable trays or ladder racks.
The fixings must be secured to the structure of the building, such as the ceiling or wall, to ensure that even if the surrounding cable management system fails due to the heat, the cables are held firmly. It is recommended that installers use masonry screws and washers, or cavity fittings and washers depending on the type of material it is being attached to. In some cases, there are kits that provide the clips and required screws in a single pack, so for simplicity, installers should look for these where available.
When selecting the cable fixings, it is important to choose high-quality products to ensure that they will perform as intended in the event of a fire. For example, the products in our Firefly range have been thoroughly tested to confirm their fire resistance above 1000°C for up to 120 minutes.
Furthermore, with the fixings required throughout the building, the ease of installation is an important consideration. Simple-to-fit clips and supports will allow the job to be completed efficiently and fully and in line with the regulations. As an example, our Firefly clips feature a spring-loaded design for easy installation or removal of cables and have rounded ends to prevent accidental damage to the cables and injury to installers.
The changes to Chapter 52 of the Wiring Regulations aim to improve safety in the event of a fire by eliminating the hazard of falling cables. To comply, installers should fit suitable metal fixings throughout the wiring system so that it supports the cables, even if the cable management system fails due to the heat of the fire.
What Do The Regulations Say?
Regulation 521.10.202 of the 18th Edition requires all cables to be adequately supported using non-combustible fixings to prevent premature collapse in the event of a fire. In a typical modern building, a large volume of cabling runs through the building to provide data connections and power, but the heat of the fire can cause cable housings to fail. The result is falling and fallen cables that present a serious hazard to those evacuating and especially to firefighters moving into and through the building.
Essentially, this means that the cables have to be fixed in place using metal clips and supports that have a melting point high enough to withstand the heat of a fire. Materials such as plastic and aluminium are therefore no longer acceptable as a sole form of support.
What Has Changed and Why?
The previous 17th Edition published in July 2015 introduced the requirement for cables to be fixed in this way but only those on designated escape routes. While this helped ensure a safe evacuation for occupants, the firefighters, who needed to access other areas of the building, still risked becoming entangled in the cables. In several tragic cases, firefighters lost their lives when they became trapped by this hazard. This led to the requirement being extended to all cables within a building from the 18th Edition.
How To Ensure The Installation Complies
The new regulation is not applied retrospectively so any wiring systems fitted before 2019 do not need to be immediately updated. Any new installation or additions and alterations to existing systems, including temporary wiring, have to comply with the regulations. Furthermore, fire resistant clips must also be used, even when cables are supported on metal cable trays or ladder racks.
The fixings must be secured to the structure of the building, such as the ceiling or wall, to ensure that even if the surrounding cable management system fails due to the heat, the cables are held firmly. It is recommended that installers use masonry screws and washers, or cavity fittings and washers depending on the type of material it is being attached to. In some cases, there are kits that provide the clips and required screws in a single pack, so for simplicity, installers should look for these where available.
Choosing The Right Fixings
When selecting the cable fixings, it is important to choose high-quality products to ensure that they will perform as intended in the event of a fire. For example, the products in our Firefly range have been thoroughly tested to confirm their fire resistance above 1000°C for up to 120 minutes.
Furthermore, with the fixings required throughout the building, the ease of installation is an important consideration. Simple-to-fit clips and supports will allow the job to be completed efficiently and fully and in line with the regulations. As an example, our Firefly clips feature a spring-loaded design for easy installation or removal of cables and have rounded ends to prevent accidental damage to the cables and injury to installers.
The changes to Chapter 52 of the Wiring Regulations aim to improve safety in the event of a fire by eliminating the hazard of falling cables. To comply, installers should fit suitable metal fixings throughout the wiring system so that it supports the cables, even if the cable management system fails due to the heat of the fire.
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