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Thread: Surfix only through a wall without conduit.

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    Surfix only through a wall without conduit.

    Hi ,
    If one has existing surfix only through a house wall not a fire wall .(As per a thread on the forum . This is illegal.) Would the best way to rectify the problem be to disconnect and remove the surfix from the wall , drill and insert 20mm PVC conduit through the drilled hole , add a PVC elbow on either side of the wall to the 20mm conduit ,add 20mm pvc conduit to the elbows on both sides of the wall ,add a two way round box to the added 20mm conduit on both sides of the wall , add PVC glands to the two way round boxes on both sides of the wall , install the surfix cable through this setup. Would this be legal .How would one sort the problem out . Is there a better way to do this.

    How would this be done if the wall was a firewall like a wall separating a garage wall and lounge.

    I have had a look at the regs but cannot seem to find a suitable answer. It is more the practicality what can you use what can you not use , interpreting the regs and placing it all together .I am an electrician but found out I am not as clued up as I thought especially after reading this forum and looking at the regs . My speciality is more in other areas of electricity. I need to up my game . Where can one find decent resources on practical house wiring.

    thanks

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    where do you see that its illegal to go through the wall with surfix? if it is legal to be plastered into the wall then going through the wall is no different.
    im not sure where you can find more resources on house wiring. the forum is probably the best place.

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    Gtfast (20-Apr-16)

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    Diamond Member AndyD's Avatar
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    Surfix can legally be installed '6.3.6.1 b. under plaster 6.3.6.1 d. in hollows (such as in walls and partitions) (no additional protection being needed),'. This would include a hole through a wall as far as I know. The only problems that arise are when the wall is a fire barrier by design.
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    Gtfast (20-Apr-16)

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    I always understood one can wire surfix/twin and earth/multicore cables through a wall. Then I came across this regulation on the forum.

    Page 149:

    6.4.8 Wiring through building elements:

    6.4.8.1 If wiring has to pass right through a building element such as a
    floor, a wall, a partition, or a ceiling, conductors and busbars shall be in a
    non-flammable enclosure or wireway.

    Is my understanding wrong.

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    Masonry and bricks is a non-flammable "enclosure". See chimneys and braai places. a wood wall "enclosure" is flammable.

    http://www.ppc.co.za/media/18085/MSD...als-Safety.pdf
    Last edited by ACEsterhuizen; 19-Apr-16 at 03:34 PM. Reason: more info

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    Gtfast (20-Apr-16)

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    Thank you
    makes sense.
    In reg 6.4.8.2 it indicates a cable only through a building element if it is a fire break. In which case one would need to apply non flammable material around the cable.This would also indicate a cable only through a building.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gtfast View Post
    Thank you
    makes sense.
    In reg 6.4.8.2 it indicates a cable only through a building element if it is a fire break. In which case one would need to apply non flammable material around the cable.This would also indicate a cable only through a building.
    So, to answer your OP, no you don't need to install the PVC pipe, elbows and junction boxes - which would be destroyed in the fire in anycase and leave the whole open - defeating the purpose of the firewall The hole needs to be covered with a fireproof sealant, as far as a I know.

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    Gtfast (03-Jun-16)

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    HI ALL
    As per this thread.
    Is running surfix on its own through wooden cupboard partitions legal.

    Thank you

    Sent from my ANE-LX1 using Tapatalk

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    As per this thread.
    Is running surfix on its own through wooden cupboard partitions legal.

    See reg 6.3.6.1 and 6.4.8.1.


    Thank you


    Sent from my ANE-LX1 using Tapatalk

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    It must be ...everyone does it.
    Comments are based on opinion...not always facts....that's why people use an alias.

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    Gtfast (16-Jan-20)

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