USING CABLE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS TO SOLVE SECTOR CHALLENGES

Cable management systems must ensure they are fit for purpose, compliant, robust, and contribute to a safe and healthy environment, using the material that best suits each application.

In environments where the health and wellbeing of occupants is vital, such as hospitals, care homes and schools, the specification of antimicrobial cable trunking systems is recommended to minimise the spread of germs and bacteria.

An ideal solution for such environments is a system that incorporates silver ions within a PVC-U based material.

Silver has been used for wound care for hundreds of years and, when used in cable management products, it disrupts the key cell functions of bacteria and prevents them from reproducing on the surface of PVC-U or ABS trunking, delivering ongoing antimicrobial protection that prevents 99.9% of harmful bacteria.

For the most reliable and long-lasting protection solution, professionals should look for products where the silver ion formulation has been added to the PVC-U during the manufacturing process, rather than applied to the surface post-production.

Cable management systems must also comply with Approved Document M of the Building Regulations, which aims to ensure access to and use of the building for everyone. It is recommended that the accessory boxes or plates that house switches and sockets are specified in contrasting colours to make them more visible to those with visual impairments.

Additionally, when installing PVC-U trunking systems, it’s important to consider environmental factors. Certain manufacturers incorporate recycled PVC-U from windows into their manufacturing process. This approach not only facilitates projects in achieving sustainability objectives, but also enhances the product’s durability as it utilises external grade plastic.

Look for security features such as tamper resistant covers and fittings, and products that offer bend radius control in order to protect cables.

In recent years, the needs of office real estate have evolved – with an increasing demand for flexible cable management products that allow for collaboration, team meetings, focus areas, private thinking space or hot-desking.

An ideal solution are desk modules with individually fused UK sockets. Perfect for use in hot-desking situations or conference rooms, these give easy access to power, data and USB charging at the desk surface.

Similarly, PowerPoles and PowerPosts are also a practical, elegant and efficient solution for the management of power, data and communication services to island workstations. Manufactured from aluminium for strength and rigidity, these are perfect for suspended and solid ceiling applications.

Alternatively, professionals can choose underfloor to desk cable management and prefabricated wiring systems for the distribution of power and data services from beneath raised floors and in-screed systems to desks for fast, easy and adaptable installation.

Transport projects can be complex –requiring solutions that are suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments, as well as coping with the demands of heavy footfall, impact and extensive vibration. Environments where extreme weather, high temperatures or water ingress is likely –such as tunnels and bridges – also require the most durable cable management solutions to withstand the elements. For this sector, a range of materials are suitable:

• Steel trunking is robust and durable, offering a reliable, practical system for public areas where there is a high footfall.

• Aluminium perimeter trunking systems provide elegant, stream-lined containment that offers the practical advantages of inherent LS0H and screening properties.

• GRP (glass reinforced polyester) ladder and tray products are very robust and well suited to aggressive environments such as rail and transport thanks to the physical and chemical properties of this material. GRP is non-conductive, corrosion resistant and can withstand extreme weather and high temperatures

• Another example is Marshall-Tufflex’s MT Supertube, an LS0H, three-layer heavy gauge conduit which comprises polyethylene internal and external layers over a continuous aluminium tube, providing mechanical strength.

• PVC cable trays are a further solution that can be used in damp environments. These products are non-conductive, non-corrosive, lightweight and impact resistant, making this a robust solution for the simple routing and support of power and data cables. These properties extend to other applications where metal cable trays cannot be used due to the corrosive nature of the environment.

Taking the above into consideration, it is also important to select a reputable manufacturer that can offer a range of solutions, technical support and guidance throughout the project.

Marshall-Tufflex, marshall-tufflex.com