BSEE
CABLE MANAGEMENT
Getting educated on recycled PVCU trunking E
When specifying PVCU trunking systems within educaonal environments, it is crucial to plan ahead to ensure the chosen soluon is suitable. Dave Burt, naonal contract & sustainability manager at MarshallTuex looks at what should be factored into the specificaon process, and talks about its recent product installaon at the University of Lancashire
very product specified for use in educational facilities must be carefully considered in order to ensure it is suitable for end use, and safe for building occupants. This is also true of cable management systems, keeping electrics and cables protected and concealed is a key safety requirement for education environments, which is why choosing the right trunking is so important.
Specifying the right product
With so many PVC-U cable
management systems available on the market, early engagement with a reputable manufacturer is key to making sure the right product is specified. By talking to the cable management provider early in the design process, this will ensure they have a full understanding of the project’s requirements allowing them to provide advice on the most appropriate solution. Leading manufacturers will be able to attend meetings, and even visit site to determine which product will work best for the project at hand and the end use of the building.
When specifying these systems, the sustainability of the product must also be factored into the equation. Thought- leaders in PVC-U manufacturing will now be able to offer products that are produced using recycled PVC-U, which reduces waste and lowers the environmental impact of the building. In addition, these systems can also benefit from even better strength and durability than virgin grade PVC-U.
Marshall-Tufflex, for example, uses recycled PVC-U window frames within it’s manufacturing process. Because these frames were designed to withstand external elements, they are more than up to the task of withstanding everyday interior use.
Regulation compliance
It is, of course, also important that the trunking is in compliance with the relevant regulations and product standards, to ensure the specified system is suitable and safe.
Trunking systems should meet the IP4X requirements, which are part of the BS 7671:2018 Wiring Regulation. These state that objects 1mm in diameter or more cannot enter into the trunking system, and BS EN 50085 standards must be met by ensuring that the trunking cover can only be removed by a tool or deliberate action. This ensures that the cables inside the trunking are effectively protected from damage.
Educational environments will also need to ensure the PVC-U trunking solutions cover all data requirements, Cat 5, 6, 7 and 7a.
The trunking should also aid compliance with Part M of Building Regulations, which outlines the regulations for access to and use for buildings. To meet compliance for impaired vision, it is recommended that accessory boxes and plates of contrasting colours be used in conjunction with the trunking. This will make components such as switches and plugs more visible to staff and students with impaired vision. Cost can be a contribution factor to the specification process, but do not be fooled by lower price tags. Whilst it can be more tempting at first, products of a lower quality are more susceptible to wear, resulting in the need for maintenance and replacement parts, which will simply add to whole life costs. Therefore, it can be far more cost effective and less disruptive to educational facilities to specify higher- quality trunking at the start of a project.
Educational application
An example of an educational project that Marshall-Tufflex has provided its products to is the prestigious new Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
Founded in 1828, UCLan is one of the UK’s largest, with the student and staff headcount approaching 38,000. As part of its continuing efforts to shape the future of its students, the university is currently building the EIC to support the future of engineering skills development within the North West.
The EIC will be a state-of-the-art facility located on the Preston campus, and will be at the centre of one of the most active engineering and manufacturing areas in the UK, establishing UCLan as a leader in engineering innovation. When looking at the data cables that would be used throughout the facility, it was decided that larger than standard Cat 6a copper clad aluminium data cables would be the most suitable solution. As such, Sean Chaplin, site engineer for NG Bailey, required a high- end cable management system that would stand up to the day-to-day knocks from a busy environment, be of appropriate size to house the data cables, and, in line with the EIC’s state of the art facility, the product also needed to achieve a sleek, professional finish.
After onsite discussions, Chaplin specified the PVC-U XL dado trunking system to be placed in various classrooms, engineering workshops and flight simulator rooms.
As the students would be using the rooms for a range of engineering
10 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER NOVEMBER 2019
courses, including aerospace, mechanical and robotics, cables needed to be protected by a robust solution that would prevent any data from being compromised. Able to house all cables up to Cat 7a, the versatile trunking is easy to install and was supplied with Charcoal accessory boxes, to ensure compliance with Part M. In addition, an in-screed underfloor to desk system was also specified, including floor boxes and junction boxes to accommodate the large data cables. This was to ensure health and safety within the centre as no cables would be loose in the engineering rooms. Chaplin oversaw the installation of the products and praised the ease of installation and the high gloss finish provided on the trunking system. The Marshall-Tufflex PVC-U XL dado trunking also comes with the additional benefit that the profiles have been manufactured from 70 per cent recycled material, which is in line with the company’s commitment to responsible manufacturing and the 2028 vision.
Marshall-Tufflex’s ultimate environmental goal is that all PVC-U products installed in buildings should be manufactured using at least 50 per cent recycled material, and by being part of an esteemed educational build, the company can continue to promote that message whilst the university benefits from a robust and sustainable cable management solution.
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uKeeping electrics and cables protected and concealed is a key safety requirement for educaon environments
‘
Trunking
systems should meet the IP4X requirements, which are part of the BS 7671:2018 Wiring Regulaon
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