Pyro

[RF Lighting]

Sounds like it might come straight off the busbar chamber, so do not damage the cable whatever you do.

Pictures would be a great help, and also see if there is any writing on any of the glands.

To give you an idea, you can see written on this gland the number and CSA of the conductors.

 

[333rocky333]

May be just a trunking, have a look to see if there is an isolater /switch mounted on the long box with "fire alarm " wrote on it
how wide is this long box

Is this sort of what you have
Excuse the drawing

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• 333rocky333
• 27 Jul 2008
• 1

 

[Andy34]

Well 1stly your drawing is not far off the mark so thank you. I am not helping talking about big long boxes. It is casing for all the electrics into the building - it is about 3 metres long and mounted along the wall horizontally but it is for all the power.

Finally the pic you sent is similar. However it is only 1 copper outer casing into 1 of those glands - thats it there are 2 of them each into 1 gland bit all it is is a copper outer casing. There are no wires nothing but the bottom piece is identical and they dissappear into this long box. I will take the cover off to see what is under there and hope I don't touch anything I shouldnt as there is a 3phase supply!

May be just a trunking, have a look to see if there is an isolater /switch mounted on the long box with "fire alarm " wrote on it
how wide is this long box

Is this sort of what you have
Excuse the drawing

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• 333rocky333
• 27 Jul 2008
• 1

 

[333rocky333]

NO NO NO dont remove the cover, as rf says it may be a busbar.

And a 3 phase one as well.

Post a pic tomorrow if you want first just incase.

Ps, use the POST REPLY button at the bottom of the page ,rather than the QUOTE button, if you dont want to repeat the post.

 

[mattylad]

It will either be a bell or sensor/call point circuit, not both.

Not quite correct there old chap, these days we can use the same cable for both detectors AND sounders.

This does sound like they need a fire alarm engineer in to sort it out.

Cutting it is certainly NOT an option until one is there as you may well call out the fire brigade by doing so.

 

[Andy34]

know the electrician took it off when he came to quote for the job but OK best I leave it but i am sure it is just trunking for all the multitude of cabling that seems to be coming into the building. It is definitely not just for this issue as all the main power cables from the various meters etc dissappear into it so I am sure it is metal trunking. Thanks for all your advice - it is a nightmare as it is starting to sound expensive to sort out but at least I am getting some good advice.

NO NO NO dont remove the cover, as rf says it may be a busbar.

And a 3 phase one as well.

Post a pic tomorrow if you want first just incase.

 

[333rocky333]

I am not helping talking about big long boxes. It is casing for all the electrics into the building - it is about 3 metres long and mounted along the wall horizontally

And the width and depth approx

However it is only 1 copper outer casing into 1 of those glands - thats it there are 2 of them each into 1 gland bit all it is is a copper outer casing. There are no wires nothing but the bottom piece is identical and they dissappear into this long box.

Sorry totally baffled

I think only pics will explain or you do a diagram.
Any way you will not be able to reterminate the pyro, as you most likely do not have the tools.
If you did do it, it may not conform to british standards and with other tenants above, you could be in trouble.
So you may have to simply call someone in.
It would still be interesting to see the pics either way

 

[333rocky333]

Thanks for all your advice - it is a nightmare as it is starting to sound expensive to sort out

If the system is ok and just part to be altered then
Not really , from what you say it sounds a days work max and possibly not more than £50 materials.

The problem comes when he tests and certifies it, he may well say it does not conform to the relevant standard.

If there is a lack of call points and no panel to indicate where in the premises the fire is, then this could well be the case.

However if the whole system is defunct this would possibly be down to all the tenants or the owner,to pay not you alone, I would have thought

 

[Andy34]

Hi

No I am not going to touch it - it is obvioulsy a lot more than I realised. I will take some pics of it today and post tonight as it is very baffling - well to me anyway. I don't suppose any of you guys are in the trade or can reccommend someone who can come and look at this. Cheers

I am not helping talking about big long boxes. It is casing for all the electrics into the building - it is about 3 metres long and mounted along the wall horizontally

And the width and depth approx

However it is only 1 copper outer casing into 1 of those glands - thats it there are 2 of them each into 1 gland bit all it is is a copper outer casing. There are no wires nothing but the bottom piece is identical and they dissappear into this long box.

Sorry totally baffled

I think only pics will explain or you do a diagram.
Any way you will not be able to reterminate the pyro, as you most likely do not have the tools.
If you did do it, it may not conform to british standards and with other tenants above, you could be in trouble.
So you may have to simply call someone in.
It would still be interesting to see the pics either way

 

[Andy34]

Hi

No I am not going to touch it - it is obvioulsy a lot more than I realised. I will take some pics of it today and post tonight as it is very baffling - well to me anyway. I don't suppose any of you guys are in the trade or can reccommend someone who can come and look at this. Cheers

I am not helping talking about big long boxes. It is casing for all the electrics into the building - it is about 3 metres long and mounted along the wall horizontally

And the width and depth approx

However it is only 1 copper outer casing into 1 of those glands - thats it there are 2 of them each into 1 gland bit all it is is a copper outer casing. There are no wires nothing but the bottom piece is identical and they dissappear into this long box.

Sorry totally baffled

I think only pics will explain or you do a diagram.
Any way you will not be able to reterminate the pyro, as you most likely do not have the tools.
If you did do it, it may not conform to british standards and with other tenants above, you could be in trouble.
So you may have to simply call someone in.
It would still be interesting to see the pics either way

 

[Andy34]

Hi

No I am not going to touch it - it is obvioulsy a lot more than I realised. I will take some pics of it today and post tonight as it is very baffling - well to me anyway. I don't suppose any of you guys are in the trade or can reccommend someone who can come and look at this. Cheers

I am not helping talking about big long boxes. It is casing for all the electrics into the building - it is about 3 metres long and mounted along the wall horizontally

And the width and depth approx

However it is only 1 copper outer casing into 1 of those glands - thats it there are 2 of them each into 1 gland bit all it is is a copper outer casing. There are no wires nothing but the bottom piece is identical and they dissappear into this long box.

Sorry totally baffled

I think only pics will explain or you do a diagram.
Any way you will not be able to reterminate the pyro, as you most likely do not have the tools.
If you did do it, it may not conform to british standards and with other tenants above, you could be in trouble.
So you may have to simply call someone in.
It would still be interesting to see the pics either way

 

[Andy34]

Sorry for the delay didnt get to the shop until lattelast night have posted several pictures of the pyro the entry points etc hope this helps

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• Andy34
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[aptsys]

Great pictures.

The bells certainly look like the 240V variety. What does the red label on the grey switchfuse say?

 

[NotHimAgain]

The photos show a lot of sheath corrosion (the green deposits). This may be due to a reaction with the plaster (possibly lime).

This will ultimately be terminal as pin holes will form and these will allow the magnesium oxide powder insulation (which is hydroscopic) to draw in moisture.

You should consider replacing this cable.