Running cables through a hole in the wall

[Shez]

Imagine the scenario: an enclosed stage (think typical school hall type) with a dimmer room on the other side of one of the side walls. LX multis (soca / lectriflex and possibly ceeforms) need to get through this wall to the dimmer room. Are there any particular products out there that can neatly provide a sufficiently large passage through the wall and close up and look tidy when not in use? Floor traps have been ruled out.

 

Thanks for any suggestions,

 

Shez

[bruce]

Does it need to be sealed/fireproof/smokeproof?

 

(edited to add)

You can get cable entry plates with "brushes" - a bit like the things you see on the inside of letterboxes. Domestic ones are fine for small cables, but probably not soca. You can get bigger ones, intended for the data centre market. eg http://www.chatsworth.com/Common/PageTempl...ain.aspx?id=428

 

Alternatively

 

How about a few simple round holes, perhaps lined with 4" or 6" drainpipe, with a top-hinged flap. When not in use, it's covered... when in use, it rests on the cables.

[Shez]

Does it need to be sealed/fireproof/smokeproof?

That's a question that is as yet unanswered (unhelpful, I know). I'm told it can be padded with something that will expand and seal the hole in the event of fire; it's not something I've come across before though.

[bruce]

Intumescent foam....

[musht]

cable sauasage, er, fire pillow

 

http://www.fireprotectiononline.co.uk/shop/fire-pillow.html

[Shez]

Intumescent

 

That's the word I couldn't remember!

The wall is 12 - 15" thick. It's oak panelled up to about 6' with a usefully wide lintel (plinth? ledge?) along the top which cables tend to be run along. Going through the panelling is not likely unless it can be made to look extremely neat and to blend in. Going through the wall above seems more likely as it keeps all the cables off the floor completely and out of the way.

[The Yellow Transit]

A venue we did this at we used 4 inch drain pipe with screw on caps and placed fire pillows in them , soca goes through it a treat plus 15A sockets.

4 inch is cheaper than 6 inch and easier to get hold of

CAUTION check the fabric of the building before drilling core holes as they cut through just about everything , cables /plastic pipes really quickly , rebar and structual steel, slower but it will do it

[handyandi]

Have been looking at access panels for plasterboard wall in a control room we have & this company seem to do fire rated ones. For a thick wall you may need a panel either side to make it look neat both sides.

Link.

Or if you google access panels there seem to be quite a few companys.

 

Hope this helps

 

Andi

[Shez]

Thanks Andi. I'm not sure that an outward opening door is ideal though - it would stick out on to the stage. Those access panels look like panels enabling access of equipment rather than a means of being able to route cables through walls.

[mikienorth]

This is exactly what you are looking for, used in our, and many other venues to provide routes for TV cabling, designed specially for purpose, and used frequently enough to not cause any major headaches for fire officers/licensing people.

 

Complete Fire Protection's Website

 

They work. We have humdreds of them in our building, and can be provided with a locking hasp for security/external wall use as well.

 

The door hinges back almost flush when not in use, and can be mounted so it drops down below the hole, hidden in use under the cables....

 

Mike

[Rozztech]

if you run your cable through then fill the hole with bulbous foam witch will set hard you can fill the gap nicely .

 

to achieve a smart flat finish on the other side , get someone to hold a piece of wood around the hole so a flat surface is achieved , you can then paint over this as the foam tends to be orange

 

 

 

sam

[Davethsparky]

if you run your cable through then fill the hole with bulbous foam witch will set hard you can fill the gap nicely .

 

to achieve a smart flat finish on the other side , get someone to hold a piece of wood around the hole so a flat surface is achieved , you can then paint over this as the foam tends to be orange

 

Its just a shame that expanding foam can damage the insulation of cables isn't it? And then of course there is always the problem of getting it all out again during the get-out. And then one can only imagine what the hire company will say when those cables go back!

 

Might I suggest that reading the original post properly might help you avoid making yourself look very silly.

[Jivemaster]

RS certainly do the intumescent pillows, and instalation trunking pass throughs for walls.

[andy_s]

Mikey has got the right answer. they aren't particularly cheap however.

 

Also bear in mind that the more cables you pass through, the smaller the diameter of the hole you need to get the next soca through....

[aidso]

Forget those socks they fall to bits after heavy use. the best bet is a fire proof access panel placed 7ft+ off the ground I.e above head height. You should get away with this as long as it is locked when not in use. Many hotels and large buildings have these in roof areas in firewalls.