Do the cables need to be protected? (ie: inside a office cabling running down wall to kp)

No.

But you may need to make them look nice and if they/it is installed in an escape route then....BS7671 521.11 comes into play.

 

521.11 Wiring systems in escape routes

521.11.201 Wiring systems in escape routes shall be supported such that they will not be liable to premature collapse in the event of fire. The requirements of Regulation 422.2.1 shall also apply, irrespective of the classification of the conditions for evacuation in an emergency.

NOTE 1: Non-metallic cable trunking or other non-metallic means of support can fail when subject to either direct flame or hot products of combustion. This may lead to wiring systems hanging across access or egress routes such that they hinder evacuation and firefighting activities.

NOTE 2: This precludes the use of non-metallic cable clips, cable ties or cable trunking as the sole means of support. For example, where non-metallic cable trunking is used, a suitable fire-resistant means of support/retention must be provided to prevent cables falling out in the event of fire.

I can't quote but don't all cables have to be mechanically protected under 2m regardless of the device?

If I'm wrong then it's a good future rule to go by...

I can't quote but don't all cables have to be mechanically protected under 2m regardless of the device?

If I'm wrong then it's a good future rule to go by...

 

7671?

I can't quote but don't all cables have to be mechanically protected under 2m regardless of the device?

If I'm wrong then it's a good future rule to go by...

Is that not a fire alarm reg ?

I would have to look but it's wine O'clock 

Beer a clock here..

 

I ask because done a survey tonight, alarm to be installed in a portkabin, customer happy for cables to be tacked along walls. However I wonder if it's OK to tack KP cable going down the wall? Yes it is going to be by the only entrance/exit but no it wont stop a exit.

if its an 'escape route' then yes

Do the cables need to be protected? (ie: inside a office cabling running down wall to kp)

Always looks smarter in trunking in my opinion. Plus protects from accidental damage. Keypads more likely to get ripped off than cable cut during a break. Because all burglars know this will silence the sounders apparently. Then wonder why its not worked lol

Thanks all, it's a portable office style premises and customer doesn't want trunking. 

Personally I would at least use a section of ali tube from the ceiling down to the keypad.

Even if it is tacked everywhere else.