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Fire and Performance Cable Systems
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Different wiring applications call for different levels of fire performance. The fire performance characteristics or a cable are tested against a variety of standards including measurement of flame propagation, smoke and gas emissions amongst others.
For fire performance cables, under fire conditions, there are two main classifications:
Fire Survival and Fire Resistant.
- Fire Survival demonstrates exceptional capabilities for prolonged functionality for circuit and data integrity in extreme fire conditions. The fire survival cable systems are constructed of inorganic materials which do not burn, emit smoke or gas and which survive the harshest fire conditions.
These systems are designed for life-critical and fire management systems where life safety is dependant on cable/system functionality for prolonged periods.
- Fire Resistant demonstrates resistance to fire and maintain circuit integrity for an approved period of time. They are constructed from organic materials and burn when subjected to fire conditions.
Mineral insulated cables are widely accepted as the only true Fire Survival cable technology.
For fire alarm systems, there are two clear classification as part of the British Standard BS5839-1:2002; Standard and Enhanced grades.
Under test conditions:
- Standard Grade cables need to remain functional for 30 minutes when subjected to 830°C.
- Enhanced Grade cables need to remain functional for 120 minutes when subjected to 930°C.
The single cables sample is also subject to a water source and indirect mechanical shock as part of the test regime.
The Pyro MI portfolio of products meet and exceed these test regimes.
Essential power applications, (non fire alarm) cable diameters above & below 20mm overall dimater, a new standard BS7346-6:2005 Components for smoke and heat control systems Part 6 Specification for Cable systems was published in March 2005. This more stringent standard ensures increased performance levels for cables by incorporating an integrated test method of:
- Flame/Heat direct acting on the cable
- Mechanical impact direct to the cable
- Water jet direct to the cable (to simulate fire fighting and/or water leakage from the building.)
Pyro MI cables are compliant with the test requirements of BS7346-6: 2005.
When it comes to true fire survival, Pyro MI products provide the answer.
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