What is the use of fire resistant cable?

What is the purpose of a fire resistant cable?

25 July, 2022

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What is the purpose of a fire resistant cable?

A fire resistant cable is specially designed to transmit electrical energy under extreme conditions, such as a prolonged fire. It guarantees the supply to emergency equipment such as signaling, smoke extractors, acoustic alarms, and water pumps.

Its use is recommended in emergency circuits in places of public concurrence such as hospitals, airports, tunnels, subways, etc., as well as in offices, production plants, and laboratories.

A fire resistant cable ensures the integrity of essential services during a fire, complying with current regulations.

• Emergency lighting
• Automatic door opening
• Video surveillance cameras
• Forced ventilation
• Inert networks

TOXFREE® 331 ZH RZ1-K (AS+)

• Class 5 flexible copper
• Mica tape + XLPE insulation
• Halogen-free sheath
• Fire resistant:
  • IEC 60331-2 (Min. 120 min. at 840°C)
  • BS6387 (Min. 180 min. at 950°C)
• 90°C 0.6/1KV
• CPR B2ca – s1a, d1, a1

TOXFREE® 331 ZH RZ1-K (AS+) is a cable for all industrial Emergency Systems. In case of fire, it does not emit toxic or corrosive gases, thereby protecting public health and preventing possible damage to electronic equipment. Its use is recommended in public places such as hospitals, schools, museums, airports, bus terminals, shops, tunnels, metros, and in computer centers, offices, production plants, and laboratories.

Download here the technical specification of TOXFREE® PLUS 331 ZH RZ1-K (AS+). You can also watch the video of the production of the cable.

In addition to TOXFREE® PLUS 331 ZH RZ1-K (AS+), Top Cable offers a wide range of electrical wiring. Do not hesitate to consult our catalogue and find any cable you need:

Download the Top Cable catalogue here.

Flame Retardant and Fire Resistant Cables

Understanding the difference between Flame Retardant and Fire Resistant Cables

Whenever public spaces are planned, 'planning for the worst' keeps pace. Fire and disaster planning is meticulous, so it is crucial for specifiers and contractors to understand the difference between Flame Retardant and Fire-resistant cables, when to use each type, and how to make the right choices.

Flame retardant cables are designed to resist the spread of fire into new areas, while fire resistant cables are designed to maintain circuit integrity and continue to work for a specified period under defined conditions.

Both play an important role in preserving the integrity of the environment during a fire incident and improving the chances of escape and survival.

Tratos’ flame retardant cables meet flame propagation testing standards including BS EN 60332, EN 50265, and BS 4066.

Typical applications for Tratos’ fire resistant cables include public buildings such as schools and hospitals, underground and overground railway stations, retail and leisure venues, offshore vessels, and hazardous environments such as Oil & Gas platforms. The manufacturer supplies a complete range of fire resistant cables to comply with the latest Standards and Codes of Practice covering fire detection, alarm systems, emergency lighting, or other vital power supplies. Tratos has comprehensive modern fire testing facilities on-site to ensure cable integrity. Thanks to this facility, Tratos can produce cables for international projects that meet multiple nations’ standards. Tratos Firesafe cables are manufactured in accordance with all relevant standards: find out more in the products section:

Tratos’ flame retardant cables encompass a range of low smoke and fume cables, designed and tested to resist flame propagation and spread, offering low toxicity, smoke, and acid gas generation.

Tratos Firesafe cables are manufactured in accordance with the following British Standards:

• BS 7211 - Electric cables. Thermosetting insulated and thermoplastic sheathed cables for voltages up to and including 450/750 V for electric power and lighting, having low emission of smoke and corrosive gases when affected by fire.
• BS 7629 - Electric cables. Specification for 300/500 V fire resistant screened cables having low emission of smoke and corrosive gases when affected by fire. Multicore and multipair cables.
• BS 7846 - Electric cables. Thermosetting insulated, armoured, fire-resistant cables of rated voltage 600/1000 V, having low emission of smoke and corrosive gases when affected by fire.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website SUNUA.

When correctly selected and installed, fire resistant cables supplied by Tratos meet the following Codes of Practice:

• BS 5266-1 - Emergency lighting. Code of practice for the emergency escape lighting of premises.
• BS 5839-1 - Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises.
• BS 7346-7 - Components for smoke and heat control systems. Code of practice on functional recommendations and calculation methods for smoke and heat control systems for covered car parks.
• BS 8519:2010 - Code of practice. Selection and installation of fire-resistant power and control cable systems for life safety and fire-fighting applications.
• BS 9999:2008 - Fire safety code of practice for the design, management, and use of buildings.

Whatever your requirements, as the actual manufacturer rather than a distributor, Tratos can supply you with both copper and fibre optic cables of guaranteed performance and quality, having:

• Fire integrity
• Resistance to combustion
• Flame retardance
• Low flame propagation and flame spread
• Low toxicity and smoke
• Low acid gas generation
• Pliability for easy installation

Tratos supplies “standard” and “enhanced” grade fire resistant cables to suit the actual installation, large or small, simple or complex, in accordance with the applicable Code of Practice. Alongside Firesafe cables, Tratos offers a selection of accessories including glands, p-clips, and saddles in Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSOH) from stock to suit all Tratos Firesafe cables.

There are important differences between LSF (Low Smoke and Fume) and LSHF (Low Smoke Halogen Free) cables. LSF is a term originally used by the MOD(N) to describe cables with a high oxygen index, high-temperature index CSP sheathing compound. These cables were claimed to have improved performance in fire, and the MOD(N) termed these Low smoke and fume cables. The smoke emission of the CSP sheathing compound was evaluated using the NBS smoke chamber.

Although an improvement over cables sheathed with traditional CSP, unfortunate events in the Falklands war led to the development of much improved compounds. In the commercial cable market, the term LSF began to be used to cover any cable with a high oxygen index or temperature index, coupled with reduced emission of smoke, including halogenated materials such as PVC, CSP, and PCP. LSHF is not a true technical term; it is one some companies use to describe their Low Smoke Halogen Free cables, while others use descriptors like Low Smoke O (zero) Halogen (LSOH), Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH), or Low Smoke No Halogens (LSNH). Fire safety advances in cable production have had a particular focus on PVC.

PVC & FIRE

Burning PVC gives off poisonous gases, particularly hydrogen chloride (HCL). When HCL combines with moisture, it forms hydrochloric acid; life-threatening and corrosive to electronics, metal surfaces, and buildings. Zero halogen cables, with their inhibited production of dense black smoke, significantly increase the chances of escape. Low smoke halogen-free cables also lower the risk of fumes causing choking and reduce the likelihood of acidic gas damaging electronic equipment. While LSHF cables emit no more than 0.5% hydrogen chloride during fire tests, some LSF cables are made from a modified version of PVC and can still give off significant levels of dense smoke and hydrogen chloride gas when burned. They still have a place, but not in public spaces or where equipment will be exposed to damage.

Tratos Testing Facility

As an innovation-driven company, developing bespoke cable and researching next-generation product performance, Tratos invested in its own on-site test facility—with fire-testing at the top of the agenda. Its UK & Italy fire-testing facilities are second to none, providing customers with cables that are tested against, pass, and often exceed minimum standards. The company manufactures the highest quality cable and, serving customers worldwide, ensures its products are compliant with international standards. The test facility handles standard tests for voltage, spark test, and resistance, as well as more in-depth tests for elongation, heat shock, shrink back, and vertical flame tests.

These tests and measurements are wide-ranging, exploring available safe egress (ASET), area burning rate, backdraft, burning behavior, char, combustion, deflagration, ease of ignition, fire load density, fire resistance, flame spread, linear and mass burning rates, smoke opacity, oxygen index performance, and more. Tratos’ test facilities include a CPR (BS EN 50399) Test Rig, small scale (Bunsen burner test) BS EN 60332-1, large scale vertical propagation BS EN IEC 60332-3, Smoke density – 3 m³ BS EN 61034, and NBS Smoke Density Chamber, Acid gas emission BS EN 60754, testing gases evolved during combustion of materials from cables, determination of halogen acid gas content, Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) – ASTM D2863 and Flammability Temperature Index (FTI) – ISO 4589-3.

Firesafe cables made by Tratos have been tested and certified by LCPB, UKAS, BSI, LUR, & IMQ.

Tratos manufactures cables based on:

• BS 7211, BS 7629, BS 7846
• Fire Performance based on:
  • International – IEC 60331
  • European Standards – BS EN 50200, BS EN 50267, BS EN 60332, BS EN 61034
  • UK Standards – BS 8434, BS 8491
  • Applicable Codes of Practice:
    • UK Standards – BS 5266, BS 5839, BS 7346, BS 8519, BS 9999

Note: This is an indicative range of Standards to which Tratos manufactures cables. Other standards are available upon request.

TRATOS FIRESAFE-OPTI

Firesafe Fibre Optic cables have an important role to play. LOW SMOKE ZERO HALOGEN (LSZH) CABLES offer enhanced circuit integrity when exposed to fire. Tratos Firesafe OPTI is designed for areas where optical fibre cables must operate in the event of a fire, such as railway and highway tunnels, mass transit underground systems, metro lines, ducts, and public buildings.

STANDARDS

• CEI IEC 60331-11 Ed. 1999 equivalent CEI 20-36/1-1 Ed. 1 2003-03: Test for electric cables under fire conditions Part 11 apparatus fire alone at flame temperatures of at least 750°C
• CEI OEC 60331-25 Ed. 1999 equivalent CEI 20-36/2-5 Ed. 1 2002-03: Test for electrical cables under fire conditions – circuits integrity part 25 procedures and requirements optical fibre cables

Other Fire Resistant Cables in the family include:

TRATOS FIRESAFE-SWA/M1®

600/1000V ARMOURED – LOW SMOKE ZERO HALOGEN (LSZH) CABLES HAVING ENHANCED CIRCUIT INTEGRITY WHEN EXPOSED TO FIRE – BASED ON BS7846

Tratos Firesafe SWA/M1 is designed for installations where a fire situation may pose a hazard and maintenance of circuit integrity is required. Applications include internal and external use in public buildings, schools, hospitals, department stores, cinemas, hotels, theatres, computer centers, and similar applications where armoured “enhanced” grade cable is specified for use in the applicable Code of Practice: BS 5266 Emergency lighting cables – enhanced, BS 5839 Clause 26.2e Enhanced grade, BS 8519 Category 1, 2, and 3 (when tested in Tratos laboratories; pending third-party approval).

STANDARDS

• BS 7846 F2; Manufacturing and test standard
• BS 6387; Categories C, W & Z
• BS 8434-2 enhanced
• BS EN 50200; PH30, PH60, PH120
• BS 8491; PH30, PH60, PH120*
• BS EN 60332-1 and BS EN 60332-3; Flame propagation
• BS EN 50267; Acid gas emission
• BS EN 61034; Smoke emission

TRATOS FIRESAFE-TW950E®

300/500V – LOW SMOKE ZERO HALOGEN (LSZH) CABLES HAVING ENHANCED CIRCUIT INTEGRITY WHEN EXPOSED TO FIRE – BASED ON BS7629

Tratos Firesafe TW950e is designed for installations where a fire situation may pose a hazard and maintenance of circuit integrity is required. Applications include public buildings, schools, hospitals, department stores, cinemas, hotels, theatres, computer centers, and similar applications where “enhanced” grade cable is specified for use in the applicable Code of Practice: BS 5266 Emergency lighting cables – enhanced, BS 5839 Clause 26.2e Enhanced grade, BS 8519 Category 1, 2, and 3 (when tested in Tratos laboratories; pending third-party approval).

STANDARDS

• BS 7629; Manufacturing standard
• BS 6387; Categories C, W & Z
• BS 8434-2 enhanced
• BS EN 50200; PH30, PH60, PH120
• BS EN 60332-1 and BS EN 60332-3; Flame propagation
• BS EN 50267; Acid gas emission
• BS EN 61034; Smoke emission

TRATOS FIRESAFE-TW950S®

300/500V – LOW SMOKE ZERO HALOGEN (LSZH) CABLES HAVING STANDARD CIRCUIT INTEGRITY WHEN EXPOSED TO FIRE – BASED ON BS7629

Tratos Firesafe TW950s is designed for installations where a fire situation may pose a hazard and maintenance of circuit integrity is required. Applications include public buildings, schools, hospitals, department stores, cinemas, hotels, theatres, computer centers, and similar applications where “standard” grade cable is specified for use in the applicable Code of Practice: BS 5266 Emergency lighting cables – standard, BS 5839 Clause 26.2d Standard grade, BS 8519 Category 1 and 2 (when tested in Tratos laboratories; pending third-party approval).

STANDARDS

• BS 7629; Manufacturing standard
• BS 6387; Categories C, W & Z
• BS EN 50200; PH30 (30 minutes annex E)
• BS EN 60332-1 and BS EN 60332-3; Flame propagation
• BS EN 50267; Acid gas emission
• BS EN 61034; Smoke emission

TRATOS FIRESAFE-TW100®

450/750V – LOW SMOKE ZERO HALOGEN (LSZH) CABLES HAVING ENHANCED CIRCUIT INTEGRITY WHEN EXPOSED TO FIRE – BASED ON BS7211

Tratos Firesafe TW100 is designed for installations where a fire situation may pose a hazard and the maintenance of circuit integrity is required. Tratos Firesafe TW100 is suitable for installations in onerous conditions where the cable is mechanically protected in metal conduit or trunking. Applications include public buildings, schools, hospitals, department stores, cinemas, hotels, theatres, computer centers, and similar applications where “standard” grade cable is specified for use in the applicable Code of Practice: BS 5266 Emergency lighting cables, standard and enhanced when enclosed in screwed steel conduit.

STANDARDS

• BS 7211 Manufacturing standard with an additional mica-glass fire resistant tape.
• BS 6387; Categories C, W & Z (when applied to a single cable)
• IEC 60331