Contractors want peace of mind when it comes to the installation of fire performance cables. Reliability and durability are top of the agenda as they increase in popularity due to ever stricter regulations for fire alarm installations and other fire protected circuits. Terry Journeaux, technical marketing manager at Prysmian Cables & Systems Limited, highlights the key features of fire performance cables and outlines what sets them apart from other cables 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which are now increasingly required to have fire alarm systems included, and rising numbers of refurbishments of outdated systems, have fuelled demand for fire performance products.
As the world’s largest manufacturer of cables Prysmian supplies high performance and cost effective fire resistant cables and system solutions to the electrical contracting industry.
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 so as to 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
When using fire performance cables it’s important to remember that requirements can change depending on the application of the cables. There are different 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, which includes FP 200 Gold - the market leading fire performance cable for over 25 years. The FP product range meets all the installation and performance criteria necessary for even the most extreme conditions.
Test requirements
Remember that 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 FP 200 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. Everyone knows the dangers of fire so it’s important not to take risks on the quality of a product. Be sure that the product is both robust but also enables easy fitting. 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. FP 200 Flex offers a more flexible variant, which is ideal for trunking and voids.
What’s the history?
Another important factor is whether the supplier has a proven track record. The last thing contractor’s want is for cable that leads to problems after installation. Check that the supplier has a history of problem free supply. Avoid cheap imitations and be cautious if using a brand you haven’t heard of. Ask the question, has it been around for two weeks or twenty years?
Is it approved?
Check for third party approvals from bodies such as BASEC and the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB). These can help to provide assurance that a cable will meet the necessary design and performance requirements.
Fixings and accessories
Don’t forget that fixings, terminals and accessories must offer the same level of protection against fire as the cable you use. Plastic cable clips, ties or trunking may only be used for aesthetic or protection reasons but are not suitable as the sole means of supporting cables in the event of a fire. 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.
