Consumer Units, Fire Regs, and the Weak Link Most Installations Still Have

Metal consumer units are now standard. Every electrical contractor knows that.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: a metal consumer unit alone does not make an installation fire safe.

If the cable entries and ducting feeding that consumer unit aren’t fire resistant, you’ve still got a serious fire risk—and one that’s increasingly hard to justify.

The Regulation Is Clear — The Risk Is Real

Since BS 7671 Amendment 3, consumer units in domestic premises must be housed in non-combustible enclosures. The reason? Consumer units are a known ignition point due to loose connections, arcing, or component failure.

Plastic burns. Metal contains.

Simple.

But while the industry moved fast on metal enclosures, many installations are still feeding them with standard plastic trunking—which can melt, burn, and allow fire to escape straight out of the consumer unit.

That completely defeats the point.

Cable Ducting: The Fire Escape Route No One Talks About

In a real fire, cables act like fuses and ducting acts like a chimney.

Non-fire-rated ducting:

• Melts under heat
• Allows flames and smoke to spread
• Turns a compliant consumer unit into a fire risk

If fire can get out through the cable entry, containment has failed. That’s a problem for occupants, inspectors, insurers—and contractors.

Fire-Resistant Ducting Isn’t “Nice to Have”

Fire-rated cable ducting:

• Protects the integrity of the consumer unit
• Slows fire and smoke spread
• Supports compliance with BS 7671 and Building Regs
• Shows clear professional judgement

This isn’t gold-plating—it’s closing the biggest loophole in consumer unit fire safety.

Built for Sparks, Not Spec Sheets

Fire protection shouldn’t slow you down on site.

That’s why Fire-Boxx offers patented, modular, fast-fit fire-rated ducting systems designed specifically for electrical contractors. No complicated builds. No site fabrication. Just a clean, professional solution that installs quickly and does the job properly.

Fire-Boxx products are available at fire-boxx.com and have been featured on eFIXX TV, highlighting their relevance and practicality for real-world electrical work.

Bottom Line

Metal consumer units are the starting point—not the finish line.

If the ducting feeding the board isn’t fire resistant, the installation is only half done. Contractors who understand this aren’t just meeting regs—they’re protecting lives, reducing liability, and delivering better work.

Fire safety isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about stopping fire where it starts.