SWA Cleat Range Meets 18th Edition Regulations

23-01-2019

SWA has launched a range of all-metal Firefly Cleats that fully comply with new rules designed to save the lives of firefighters and others escaping a burning building.

The fire-resistant cleats for larger cables have been added to SWA’s successful Firefly family of products, which already includes fire-resistant metal clips for small cables and clips for plastic mini trunking.

All the new Firefly fixed and adjustable cleats meet the requirements of the 18th Edition of BS 7671 aimed at stopping wiring collapsing in a fire and leaving a potentially deadly tangle.

SWA Marketing Manager Colin Fletcher said: “It’s tragic that lives have been lost because people have become caught up in fallen cables. At SWA, we are proud to be playing our part in making sure this never happens again by launching a range of metal cleats specifically designed to meet these new regulations and, therefore, to save lives.”

Previously, it was only compulsory for metal clips to be used on escape routes, but Regulation 521.10.202, issued in July 2018 with which all installations must comply from 1st January 2019, states that all cable must be protected against “premature collapse in the event of a fire”. This applies to any wiring that could collapse before rescue services enter a burning building, including, for example, cables fixed directly to walls with plastic cleats and clips, and cables in plastic trunking.

SWA’s Firefly cleats are impact-resistant and are supplied in corrosion-resistant finishes. Quick and easy to install, they come in packs of 100 or 50 in sizes matching existing No. 5 to No. 20 plastic cleats (for cables from 10.1–50.8mm diameter).