Electricity cupboards

[Guest Ryvita]

Hello

I share the freehold in a property converted into 3 flats.  We want to upgrade our electricity cupboard which houses the units and meters for each flat.  Is it sufficient that the cupboard be constructed to 30 min fire resistance or does it have to be metal?  I ask because someone mentioned new Wiring Regs.

Thank you

[AnthonyB 0]

The cupboard can use any suitable materials for 30 minutes. Supalux silicate boarding would be preferable to plasterboard as you can use thinner, lighter sheets.

The new wiring regulations are not retrospective and require new consumer units and similar to be fire resistant (which are usually metal)

 

[gtlouis 0]

I've been asked to upgrade a meter cupboard in a building with three converted flats.  The existing cupboard is in the G F Hall and is made of melamine boards (carcass & doors - the doors have kitchen cupboard type hinges).  I can upgrade the carcass with Supalux, but what about the doors & hinges?  Will I need to replace these and plant a frame on the front with proper fire doors and intumescent strips, etc?  I'd appreciate some advice before carrying out the work.

[AnthonyB 0]

If you want it to have any appreciable fire resistance, yes. There's no point upgrading the rest of the cupboard when the doors and hinges will still fail after a few minutes.

[Tom Sutton 0]

I have done a great deals of research and there is little guidance on this matter the best I found was www.thebuildinginspector.org/HMO%20Fire%20guide.pdf check out page 37.

Most of the guidance simple says upgrade to carcass on the risk side (inner) and fit a FD30s door with steel single axis hinges and what you propose should achieve that. Because it says FD30s door that would mean intumescent and smoke seals are required also the door should be fitted with a lock. You can buy self-adhesive seals which could be more practical and finally check with the enforcing authority (most probably the BCO or AI) that your proposals are acceptable.

 

 

[Guest]

Thanks to both Tom & Anthony - for your helpful replies.  Going away to speak to the owners now.

[Guest Nigel wood]

Hi

ive got a contradicting question,can anybody help answer it please,

my consumer unit is in a cubourd at roof level at the minute with no door on,if I fit a door,do l need to put ventilation through the door for coolance ? 

Or ,no ventilation,to prevent oxygen feeding a potential fire

thanks for your advice

nigel

[Tom Sutton 0]

Your consumer unit does not need to be cooled, if it developes a fault and starts to overheat the RCB will operate and cut off your supply. Placing a consumer unit in a fire resistance compartment is to protect the area it is located in, not the unit itself, if it was located in a escape route you may be unable to escape from fire if the area was filled with smoke and fire.

[Guest Bruce Batten]

It appears that electrical intake cupboards should provided with

60 minutes fire resistance and be fitted with FD30s lockable doors.

Bruce Batten

Fire project surveyor

[AnthonyB 0]

Depends on the type of building, what country you are in and what guidance you follow. Plenty of 30 min cupboards out there which are fine. There is often a difference between requirements for the design of a new building and those for existing ones built to legacy codes.

[Guest MikeS]

Please help, I have purchased a top floor apartment and after found out there was only electricity to the apartment and no meter. The fuse was housed outside the front door in a wooden case without hinges or locks. Subsequently I had a meter fitted and now the landlord of the block is saying there should be a fire proof cabinet built around the meter at a cost of over £400. On this floor is only mine and 1 other apartment plus a smoke vent in the roof which can be opened. Can I just keep the original box or build another one form 12.5mm board?

[AnthonyB 0]

If all the distribution boards and meters are new and compliant with current wiring regulations they should all be made of non combustible housing material and not need further protection. If not then they would need the required fire resistant enclosure, which could be a traditional plasterboard and stud enclosure or a purpose made electrical board enclosure https://envirograf.com/product/electrical-consumer-unit-and-distribution-board-fire-protection-system/

[Guest Rishi]

AnthonyB , brilliant! Really helpful. Spent quite a while looking for a product like this. Was think I would have to resort to getting it made. Thanks for posting such a helpful post!!!!