Published: 19 March 2014
Category: Q&A
Marcus asks this question, which concerns non-fire resistant wiring supplying a fire alarm panel and what Code this would entail in an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). It has been answered by SELECT (Theme – Regulations and Legislation):
This Q & A is one of thousands posted in our Technical Expertise area, and answered on a daily basis by our Voltimum Experts.
Question: I was wondering what Code should be applied to an EICR certificate where the main cable supplying the fire alarm panel is only wired in twin and earth (T&E) cable?
The installation is an office block. I know that this should at least be a Code 3, as it does not comply with Regulation 560.8.1 from BS 7671:2008.
I personally think that a Code 2 would be more appropriate, but I just wanted to get SELECT'S view on this…
Answer: The purpose of the EICR is to identify dangerous or potentially dangerous conditions associated with the electrical installation, and although the use of T & E cables is (as you mention) not compliant with Regulation 560.8.1, the existing installation may have been designed and installed to conform to the standards of an earlier editions of BS 7671 - and may not, therefore, necessarily be unsafe. The requirement of Regulation 560.8.1 (I think) came into BS 7671 in 2008 and was not contained in previous versions.
BS 5839-1, the fire detection and fire alarm standard for non-domestic premises, introduced recommendations for all parts of the fire detection and fire alarm system to be wired using fire resisting cables in 2002. However, previous to that, the standard allowed BS 6004 cable as a recommended cable type - although considerations for mechanical protection would also have had to be given.
The use of T & E cable may not, therefore, itself be a potential electrical danger - it is however a fire detection and fire alarm system operation consideration and should be brought to the attention of the customer.
It may be that from an electrical safety point of view, a C3 is the most appropriate code.
To see many more Q & A in Voltimum UK's Experts Area, please click on the link. Experts from leading organisations provide online answers to your technical questions on a broad range of subjects. Our searchable database of existing Q & As now contains over 3,500 entries; you can browse through them here.