| New Guidance For Hot Topic |
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| Written by admin | |
| Saturday, 18 October 2008 | |
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The Electrical Safety Council has published a new guide in its Best Practice series for electrical contractors and installers. The fifth guide in the series, Electrical Installations and their impact on the fire performance of buildings: Part 1 - domestic premises: Single family units gives practical advice and guidance for electrical installation work in new and existing domestic premises, from the fire safety aspect. Fire safety in buildings generally requires that certain walls, floors and ceiling provide fire separation for the purposes of constructing fire compartments and / or protected escape routes. It is also important that the structure resists collapse in the event of a fire, giving occupants valuable time to get out. Electrical work that penetrates the linings that form the walls and ceilings of a home – such as the installation of flush-mounted consumer units; concealed and recessed luminaires, including downlighters; flush-mounted socket-outlets and switches – can significantly reduce the fire performance capabilities of those elements, with potentially dangerous consequences. The new Best Practice Guide from the Electrical Safety Council, which takes into account the publication of BS 7671: 2008, provides practical guidance aimed at preserving the fire separation between areas and the structural stability of domestic premises. “Those carrying out electrical work in homes have a critical role in ensuring that the fire safety of the property is maintained,” says Mike Clark, Technical Director at the Electrical Safety Council. “The guidance is offered with the aim that any electrical installation work will not compromise the fire performance provisions that are mandatorily required to be incorporated into domestic premises under relevant building regulations. “We plan to bring out further guidance covering the impact of electrical installations on the fire performance of other types of premises in due course.” The guide is available to download free of charge from the ‘business & community’ section of the Electrical Safety Council’s website www.esc.org.uk. The Electrical Safety Council will also be giving seminars on the topic at Sandown Park, Surrey on 2nd and 3rd December as part of Elex 2008. |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 18 October 2008 ) |
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