HELP! Plumber sparks argument! Advice needed

[jamie80s]

Had a week long argument with the plumber on this and would be good for some advise.
i install new build electrical first fix, we fix our cables to directly the concrete slab, however when we come to a heating or gas pipe we run the cable underneath the pipe. This may not look as neat but stops the cable from ever sagging and preventing any potential issue. The plumber argues that the cable should go above for general tidiness them we should provide lagging (for his pipes).

Whos right?

 

[Pete999]

Had a week long argument with the plumber on this and would be good for some advise.
i install new build electrical first fix, we fix our cables to directly the concrete slab, however when we come to a heating or gas pipe we run the cable underneath the pipe. This may not look as neat but stops the cable from ever sagging and preventing any potential issue. The plumber argues that the cable should go above for general tidiness them we should provide lagging (for his pipes).

Whos right?

What type of cables?

 

[jamie80s]

Pvc twin and Earth, cat 5, coaxial general domestic cabling.

 

[telectrix]

i don't understand what you mean by fixing to concrete slab. is that floor slab?

 

[Marvo]

TBH I'm not sure why you'd want to get into a discussion with a plumber about anything more technical than how to stir a cup of tea.

 

[jamie80s]

Yes the overhead concreat floor slab. Above the metal grid ceiling. We install 'knock in' cable tie supports and run cabling through these. There are no prescribed cable routes but we try to choose the neatest routes however our routes clash with plumbing pipes on occasion

 

[HandySparks]

What's the distance between the top of the pipes and the bottom of the slab?

 

[jamie80s]

Approximate 40mm, less in places

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Cable above, so in the event of a fire, it will be held up by the pipe.
Plumber provides the lagging.

 

[davesparks]

Approximate 40mm, less in places

Then I'd say you should go below as you need 50mm between cables and gas pipes.

 

[telectrix]

thought it was 25mm. except for the larger sizes of pipes.

 

[davesparks]

thought it was 25mm. except for the larger sizes of pipes.

I'm pretty sure it's 50mm, at least that's what my regulation-obsessed plumber is always quoting.
I'll have to check sometime

 

[Simonslimline]

528.3 Proximity to non-electrical services.

 

[davesparks]

528.3 Proximity to non-electrical services.

Also, and more important in the grand scheme, is the gas safety in use regulations

 

[NDG Elecs]

I would only be concerned with gas pipework (simply because it's gas) or central heating pipework being in really close proximity. The hot and cold taps pipework should not be that much of an issue in terms of possible thermal damage to your cables. Follow BS7671 and let him follow his regs. As for tidiness; that word and plumbers I don't associate together! Tell him blah blah blah it's getting boarded any way mate so no really matter!

 

[Spoon]

thought it was 25mm. except for the larger sizes of pipes.

Just for our info mate: It doesn't mention 25mm in BS7671 but it does in the On Site Guide. (Seton 2.3)

 

[Pete999]

Hope you are using appropriate bang ties over escape and exit routes?

 

[davesparks]

Hope you are using appropriate bang ties over escape and exit routes?

It sounds like this is above the plasterboard ceiling and so not likely to be in the exit routes

 

[Pete999]

Why is that then?

 

[mattg4321]

Plasterboard is fire rated for 30/60/90 mins so will hold it up probably!