Cables over suspended ceilings

[lyledunn]

As an electrical installation inspector, I am constantly faced with observations of poor wiring practice, especially above suspended ceilings. Often looms of cables are slung unsupported across the ceiling. Whilst this is a breach of BS7671 2008,  I should imagine that  should the ceiling collapse in a fire, the tangle of wires would be a nightmare for any one exiting late from a serious fire situation or for firefighters making sweeps. This bad practice seems to be getting worse, and whilst electricians are often guilty, more commonly it is the IT and alarm guys that are often culprits.
Is this practice a problem in reality or do you rely on the integrity of the suspended ceilings?
Regards,
Lyle Dunn.

[kurnal]

I agree its universal. Out of sight out of mind. if you challenge you just get the shrugged shoulders and the comment "so what everybody does it. Its how its done".

Fire alarm cables are treated exactly the same by the majority of installers. If I recall it was a factor in recent firefighter deaths?

[Golden]

Kurnal, it was certainly a factor in the deaths of one of the firefighters in Stevenage, Hertfordshire a few years ago. A link to the report is attached - see page 5 for a brief explanation.

http://www.hertsdirect.org/infobase/docs/pdfstore/harctreport.pdf