I'm trying to interpret the 17th edition big red book in so far as it relates to the requirement that cable should be buried below 50mm or 'death will become ye all' - possibly literally and probably via litigation if you don't.
Most modern houses have stud wall partitions sometimes measuring less than 100mm. Since the above requirement applies to both sides of the partition a simple and inexpensive ring main spur suddenly becomes very expensive, when you add the SWA or other forms of mechanical protection to the cable never mind the possibility of a new RCD loaded Consumer Unit.
My view is that because I have added to the circuit, I take responsibility for that circuit - certainly I will test it as per requirements. The problem is that I know full well that even if I did manage to bury the cable beyond the 50mm requirement the rest of the circuit would in all likelihood not meet these requirements - which as the book says does not necessarily mean that they are unsafe for continued use or require upgrading.
In a past life I have had some small involvement in the development of Government legislation and in particular the guidance notes that covered that legislation. Whenever anomalies cropped up in those guidance notes the common response from the civil servants involved in its drafting was to 'let the courts decide'. I do fear that the 50mm anomaly will be another one of these and some poor spark will be sitting there while the courts decide.
I would welcome any advise how others manage this situation.
Most modern houses have stud wall partitions sometimes measuring less than 100mm. Since the above requirement applies to both sides of the partition a simple and inexpensive ring main spur suddenly becomes very expensive, when you add the SWA or other forms of mechanical protection to the cable never mind the possibility of a new RCD loaded Consumer Unit.
My view is that because I have added to the circuit, I take responsibility for that circuit - certainly I will test it as per requirements. The problem is that I know full well that even if I did manage to bury the cable beyond the 50mm requirement the rest of the circuit would in all likelihood not meet these requirements - which as the book says does not necessarily mean that they are unsafe for continued use or require upgrading.
In a past life I have had some small involvement in the development of Government legislation and in particular the guidance notes that covered that legislation. Whenever anomalies cropped up in those guidance notes the common response from the civil servants involved in its drafting was to 'let the courts decide'. I do fear that the 50mm anomaly will be another one of these and some poor spark will be sitting there while the courts decide.
I would welcome any advise how others manage this situation.
