Consumer Unit Upgrade?

Spender£

I have one of the plastic trip switch consumer units from 2006, i notice the local Council Homes are getting an upgrade to metal enclosed style consumer units apparently due to fires in the plastic versions.
It can cost around £500 so unsure but the London Fire Brigade has been saying something about 5 fires a week before the 17th edition came out.
Unfortunately mine is under the stairs which is why the idea of fires concerns me, my old place had the unit in a box on the outside wall which seemed so much safer than inside.
Am i on my own in worrying about this?

Rodders53

Spender£ wrote: »

I have one of the plastic trip switch consumer units from 2006.

Am i on my own in worrying about this?

Not alone but in a small minority.

I installed a plastic one in 1980 in my first home.
House still standing, not caught fire.

Had plastic one under stairs in second house.
Still standing. Not caught fire.
I did nearly set it alight with a chip pan on the hob though

Third house. Installed plastic one under stairs with gas and electric meters. Mid 80s?
That is also still standing, not burned down and I'm certain it has not been replaced to this day.

Next a new 2006 built bungalow with yet another plastic consumer unit.
Ditto
Finally the current house also has one.

In the unlikely event of something inside the Consumer Unit overheating and catching light then a metal box will better contain and slow the spread of fire. Some plastics types could potentially melt and feed one of these rare fires.

Few of us ever have the recommended 10-yearly electrical inspection checks/reports that could identify and fix problems that could lead to issues that might - just might - cause such a fire. You may wish to commission one of those, but be aware that "not to latest regs" does not mean dangerous!

Other things cause fires as often, if not more often. A chap visiting our home to dry out an escape of water we had, pointed out a shaving mirror in our website's window as being a frequent cause of fire and water damage from the subsequent Fire Brigade attendance!

phill99

2006?


Mine is on RCDs from the early 1990s and still going strong. No fires, no smoking, no smouldering, nothing.


most consumer units will be of plastic construction as the move to metal ones only came in with the 18th edition.


There may be 5 fires a week, but is that because of the CU being plastic or some other reason? Remember there are lies, damn lies and statistics.


I think you are worrying over nothing.

EssexExile

Spender£ wrote: »

... but the London Fire Brigade has been saying something about 5 fires a week before the 17th edition came out.

When the new regulations came out not many people changed their units so there would be no sudden drop in fire numbers.

Risteard

phill99 wrote: »

most consumer units will be of plastic construction as the move to metal ones only came in with the 18th edition.

Not correct. It was part of the 3rd Amendment to the 17th Edition, with that clause delayed for a year after the implementation of the rest of the Amendment.

You will also find that older units will often be metal before the plastic ones became popular. Other older units are Bakelite, and some even wooden.

What should be remembered is that many brands of domestic distribution boards were demonstrated to be lacking in the non-flame propagating properties required by BS EN 60439-3 (subsequently replaced by BS EN 61439-3), and therefore BS7671:2008 (2015) added the additional requirement that in domestic (household) premises they be either made from non-combustible material (with ferrous metal, e.g. steel being given as the example of this) or housed in a cabinet made from non-combustible material.

This Regulation remains the same in BS7671:2018.

FreeBear

Spender£ wrote: »

Am i on my own in worrying about this?

There are plenty of other potential sources of fire in virtually all houses. Whirlpool tumble driers, fridges & freezers with plastic backs (and some metal backed ones too). Cheap Chinese phone chargers, along with a multitude of other poorly made consumer goods. Got any loose connections inside sockets or other electrical fittings ?
Do you have a wood stove or open fire ?
A liking for scented candles ?

A well maintained consumer unit that is inspected on a regular basis has a very low risk of starting a fire. If in doubt, fit a smoke alarm under the stairs and check the others in the house are in working order.

phill99

Risteard wrote: »

Not correct. It was part of the 3rd Amendment to the 17th Edition, with that clause delayed for a year after the implementation of the rest of the Amendment.

Agreed. My error.