Non combustible cable supports in escape routes.

[dlt27]

Hi all, I have just read a report by BRE on the effects on cable supports caused from fire. It stated the obvious about the plastic clips, plastic conduit etc failing. However what I found interesting was that the metal supports failed due to the plastic rawl plugs failing. So I just wondered what is the point of using non combustible supports if the rawl plugs fail. ( in concrete that is). Does this mean we should be fixing saddles up with those concrete screws rather than plastic rawl plugs!

 

[Octopus]

Hum..... how long was the fire alight before the plastic rawl plugs failed - quite a while I suspect - or does the report say how long?

 

[dlt27]

The supports failed at around 550 degrees and according to Google a normal house fire burns at 600 degrees!

 

[telectrix]

if the fire has got to the level of melting rawlplugs, then it's too late for anyone in there to get out without being incinerated.

 

[tomspark93]

And at that temperature dangling wires will be the least of their problems

 

[telectrix]

and no use to me. i prefer my meat medium rare.

 

[dlt27]

Firemen could still be in there though!

 

[silver surfer]

Ive just read the same report.
Looking like plastic plugs are not considered suitable given there failure to withstand a recommended temp of 600 degrees.

 

[DPG]

So the next update of the regs will advise that rawl plugs are not to be used then presumably. Daz

 

[SS-2015]

Better dust off my Chemfix gun and start adding 30mins drying time to all my quotes

 

[plantpot]

2xfirefighters died when cable fell on them and tangled in their ba sets.preventing them getting out of property.
The cables were in plastic trunking running back to the consumer unit in the hallway.
There is a report if anyone wants to read it .
Search "Sheryl towers fire"

 

[DPG]

2xfirefighters died when cable fell on them and tangled in their ba sets.preventing them getting out of property.
The cables were in plastic trunking running back to the consumer unit in the hallway.
There is a report if anyone wants to read it .
Search "Sheryl towers fire"

How does that help with the rawl plug issue? Daz

 

[ImpededLoop]

How does that help with the rawl plug issue? Daz

I think it's in reply to earlier posts which said it was too late for anyone to be in the building by the time the rawl plug melted.

As has been said, the regulation is to protect the firefighters.

 

[DPG]

Yeah, I know what you mean. But I'm intrigued to know what the recommendations are going to be as far as what fixings to use in these areas. Daz

 

[Hellmooth]

I couldn't find anything by searching that?

 

[plantpot]

Sorry "Shirley tower fire"

 

[Marvo]

I'd imagine it's not the raw plugs getting hot directly from the fire, it's the heat transferred through the bracket and the screws. If the rawplugs are polyethylene they'll melt at maybe 120-140 Celsius so I'd imagine it could be an issue. Maybe drop-in threaded anchors and thread rods would be better.