Infrastructure problem playbook: Rodent ingress through inadequately sealed cable ducts

The problem

Unsealed or poorly sealed cable ducts are a common industry challenge. Unfortunately, this inadequate sealing poses significant – and costly – risks to infrastructure.

One obvious risk is the inadvertent creation of entry points for rodents. Once inside, these pests can (and do) gnaw on cables, leading to:

• Power disruptions: Damage to electrical cables can cause outages, affecting service reliability
• Equipment damage: Rodent activity can compromise expensive equipment, leading to costly repairs
• Safety hazards: Exposed wires due to gnawing increase the risk of electrical fires and pose safety threats to personnel

Real-world example

In August 2017, rodents nibbled their way through a communications cable in South London. The entire cable had been gnawed through and broken. This plunged UK provider TalkTalk and others into a major outage that lasted for over 13 hours.

The impact of rodent ingress protection

• Operational continuity: Preventing rodent ingress ensures uninterrupted service delivery
• Cost savings: Mitigating damage reduces maintenance expenses and extends the lifespan of infrastructure components
• Regulatory compliance: Proper sealing aligns with industry standards and safety regulations, avoiding potential legal issues

The solution

FILOform provides specialised duct sealing systems engineered to block rodent entry effectively. We offer a complete sealing solution range that includes:

The FiloSeal range (silicone mastic)

• Available in standard, heavy-duty, and fire-resistant options
• A honeycomb structure of hexagonal tubes creates a strong, re-enterable seal that rodents cannot penetrate
• Extensive testing demonstrated that after four weeks of exposure to rodents, the sealant remained intact without any breaches

The MD range (polyurethane)

• Available in MD3, MD4, and MD5 options – all gas and watertight, and all pressure-resistant
• Can be installed in various duct shapes and sizes, accommodating multiple cables or conduits
• Uses a specially formulated two-component expanding polyurethane resin that cures to form a solid, impenetrable barrier

The WallMax range (mechanical seal)

• A mechanical solution ideal for higher-engineered projects
• Prevents the ingress of dust, water, flames, gas, rodents, and other hazards
• Seals each cable/pipe individually with ATEX / IECEX safety level

Actionable steps for contractors

1. Assess vulnerable entry points – Conduct thorough inspections to identify unsealed or inadequately sealed cable ducts susceptible to rodent ingress.
2. Select appropriate sealing solutions – Choose between chemical or mechanical sealing systems based on your specific project requirements and duct configurations
3. Implement sealing measures – Install the chosen sealing system – following manufacturer guidelines to ensure optimal protection
4. Work with the FILOform team to simplify your project – To make this process easier, we can also provide a turnkey service to your site. This includes survey, supply, and seal as one end-to-end solution.

Implementing your solution

By integrating FILOform’s advanced duct sealing systems, contractors can effectively prevent rodent ingress – ensuring the longevity and reliability of critical infrastructure.

Get in touch to chat about how we can support your project.