Contractors want peace of mind when it comes to the installation of fire performance cables. Reliability and durability are essential due to strict regulations for fire alarm installations and other fire protected circuits.

Terry Journeaux, technical marketing manager at Prysmian Cables & Systems, highlights the key features of fire performance cables and outlines what sets them apart from other products on the market.

Building design and regulation requirements have significantly changed and evolved over the last 25 years. New buildings, which are now increasingly required to have fire alarm systems included, and rising numbers of refurbishments of outdated systems, have fuelled demand for fire performance products.

What is fire Performance?

There are two different types of cable on the market, which have improved fire performance compared with standard cables. Those that react in a fire, give low smoke emission and reduced flame propagation, and those that are fire resistant, which will continue to operate during a fire when subjected to a specified flame source for a period of time.

Cable that is fire resistant usually incorporates improved reaction to fire features too. Prysmian designs and manufactures its fire resistant cables with reduced flame propagation on a voluntary basis, even if not required by the British Standard specification.

Location, Location, Location!

Requirements for use of fire performance cables can change depending on the application. There are various standards that apply to different types of fire alarm installations and other applications such as emergency lighting.

Responsible contractors need to be sure that they know the cable type and location of cable materials they are using. They must be suitable for the specific job and have been classified to comply with required British Standards.

The best solution for contractors is to use cables that are suitable for a range of applications, like Prysmian’s FP brand of cables, that meet all the installation and performance criteria necessary for even the most extreme conditions.

Test Requirements

Cables for fire alarm applications, but excluding cables for voice alarm systems, are now split into ‘standard’, where survival time of the cable is 30 minutes, and ‘enhanced’, where the survival time increases to 120 minutes. For most applications the use of ‘standard’ fire resisting cables such as FP200 Gold is sufficient, but for certain areas such as unsprinklered high rise buildings or hospitals with longitudinal phased evacuation, ‘enhanced’ cables like FP Plus and FP Plus Flex should be used.

Top Quality

Product quality is key to the success of the installation of fire performance cables. Be sure that the product is robust and enables easy fitting. Also check for third party approvals from bodies such as BASEC and the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB).

FP200 Gold incorporates dressability and damage resistance due to its hard skin ‘Insudite’ insulation. It is an easy to install alternative to MICC with an unmatched combination of rigidity and ease of bending. FP200 Flex offers a more flexible variant, which is ideal for trunking and voids, while FP400 is a tough armoured power cable for essential services in conventional buildings. FP600 is designed for large or complex buildings and employs a fire-engineered solution where only the highest performing fire resistant cable can provide the necessary protection.

Fixings and Accessories

Fixings, terminals and accessories must offer the same level of protection against fire as the cable you use. Prysmian developed the FP Firefix system to provide a fire resistant fixing solution that meets the required British Standards and is quick and easy to install.

Author Bio: Newey & Eyre is one of the UK’s leading electrical wholesalers with a network of over 150 branches providing electrical supplies for the trade. Cable Management and Cable products include cable trunking, fire performance cables, armoured cable, general wiring and low voltage supply cables. For more information and to order online visit http://www.neweysonline.co.uk

Category: Home Management
Keywords: cable management,cable management innovation,cable management products,cable management system