Warehouse wiring

[mibh76]

I'm converting a warehouse that was an exhibition space into a trampoline park.

Need to:

• Replace twenty flouro tube lights with LED equivalents
• Move six plug sockets 6 inches to the left (currently surface mounted with cabling encased in trunking)

Contractor says we need to rip out wiring and start from scratch because:

• Current wire is a grey twin and earth that causes excess smoke and is only suitable for domestic.
• Current wiring is attached to redundant old pipework and ceiling trusses (4mtrs off the ground) by cable ties.
• Some back office wiring is surface mounted and not running inside trunking.

He says “even if our electricians test everything and it is ok, if it doesn't meet regs Building Control may not accept it due to the extent of install you are carrying out they may request everything is replaced"

Sound like it is necessary or could the existing wiring remain? Site was certified safe with Napit Electrical Installation report in 2018

Ta

 

[littlespark]

If anything is open to the public, I would suggest you make it as safe as possible.

In reality, a complete strip out and redo may work out cheaper than having cables running to sockets you now can’t access due to your equipment, and having to ensure safety there.

The back office may just need cleaning up.

if you ask electricians to price the job, ensure you state you require LSF (low smoke and fumes) cables to satisfy the building regs.

 

[Dustydazzler]

i Would be tempted to strip everything out and start from scratch.
I dint like pvc pvc twin and earth in commercial settings.

 

[MJPD29]

Cables cable tied to pipes is less than Ideal, suitable containment would be preferable. I wouldn't personally use twin and earth in a commercial setting either. There will always be someone in the general public who is looking for a fault or an excuse to claim, so making it as safe as possible is advisable. If all the cables in the sockets are too short then rewiring would be my preferable method rather than 6 junctions in the cable

 

[mibh76]

If anything is open to the public, I would suggest you make it as safe as possible.

In reality, a complete strip out and redo may work out cheaper than having cables running to sockets you now can’t access due to your equipment, and having to ensure safety there.

The back office may just need cleaning up.

if you ask electricians to price the job, ensure you state you require LSF (low smoke and fumes) cables to satisfy the building regs.

Thanks for the post. The sockets will not be behind any equipment and are all in trunking so meet current regs. I'll
I was under the impression they have to use LSF without me specifying it as they would be in breach of regs and therefore wouldn't be able to use anything else?

 

[mibh76]

i Would be tempted to strip everything out and start from scratch.
I dint like pvc pvc twin and earth in commercial settings.

Thanks for the reply. Is PVC twin and earth in commercial settings against building regs? I'm really looking for tangible reasons to remove it doing so would cost £20k more which I'd prefer not to spend other than if strictly necessary...

 

[James]

I do not believe that pvc cable, twin and earth or otherwise is a problem in most commercial buildings.
some places may require it, such as high rise buildings, underground etc.

nearly every factory unit i visit is covered in it.

have you had a fire risk assessment done?

 

[mibh76]

Cables cable tied to pipes is less than Ideal, suitable containment would be preferable. I wouldn't personally use twin and earth in a commercial setting either. There will always be someone in the general public who is looking for a fault or an excuse to claim, so making it as safe as possible is advisable. If all the cables in the sockets are too short then rewiring would be my preferable method rather than 6 junctions in the cable

Hey, thanks, really appreciate this info. I understand containment would be preferable but is that because cable ties are against the regs? The cables are that are held with the ties are 4mtrs off the ground so out of harms way, they'd need to climb up a ladder to reach them...
Not sure I understand what you mean about the 6 junctions thing? I meant each plugs sockets need to be moved a few inches to the left of their current location, the wiring doesn't need changing.. Cheers

 

[James]

Hey, thanks, really appreciate this info. I understand containment would be preferable but is that because cable ties are against the regs? The cables are that are held with the ties are 4mtrs off the ground so out of harms way, they'd need to climb up a ladder to reach them...
Not sure I understand what you mean about the 6 junctions thing? I meant each plugs sockets need to be moved a few inches to the left of their current location, the wiring doesn't need changing.. Cheers

the regulation they will be looking at here is the requirement to prevent premature collapse of wiring systems in the event of a fire.

basically plastic cable ties are not going to hold cables up when they get hot.
ideally, cables would be run in trunking or cable tray and if cable ties are required they should be fire resistant (metal)

 

[mibh76]

I do not believe that pvc cable, twin and earth or otherwise is a problem in most commercial buildings.
some places may require it, such as high rise buildings, underground etc.

nearly every factory unit i visit is covered in it.

have you had a fire risk assessment done?

Hi, thanks for the reply, this has been stressing me for some days so good to get some help with it.
The main contractor (who is subcontracting the electrical work out) will be doing the Fire Risk Assessment as soon as we sign the contracts and pay deposit to start work. He's happy though there are plenty of fire escapes (3 in the 10k sq ft warehouse). We also have an independent fire alarm specialist fitting the alarm and he was happy with the fire escape situation too.
Will the fire risk assessment impact whether we have to rewire the old cable tied grey flex? Cheers