Safety and cabling selection in higher-risk buildings
AEI Cables has said cabling choices in modern buildings should meet and exceed minimum safety requirements where there is high risk to people and property.
In a press release, the company referred to recent legislation and guidance affecting electrical and fire safety, including the Building Safety Act 2022.
Stuart Dover, General Manager of AEI Cables, said: “Meeting the legislation and guidance can sometimes seem challenging but the systems powered by these cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – assist fire services in firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life safety.
“This legislation and guidance should be the minimum criteria for relevance in buildings where vulnerable people move about will help firefighters trying to execute a safe evacuation.
“These areas present a higher risk in the event of a real fire and if in doubt those in the supply chain should seek advice. This may mean going beyond the minimum level of cabling to meet this category of relevance but may make all the difference in the event of fire.”
The Act defines higher-risk buildings as those at least 18 metres in height or at least seven storeys containing at least two residential units.
Category 3 Control guidance linked to evacuation and communications systems
AEI Cables also highlighted Category 3 Control fire performance cables identified under the revised British Standard BS8519: 2020 Code of Practice.
The cables are designed to reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire.
Guidance for Category 3 Control fire performance cables applies to evacuation alarms for disabled occupants in care homes, emergency voice communications systems and voice alarm systems.
Relevant buildings include tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia.
Certifications, categories and third-party approvals
AEI Cables also referenced its Firetec Enhanced cabling, which has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control, as well as Category 2 Control.
BS8519 sets out six cable categories, with three covering power cables and three covering control cables, each with survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.
Products supplied by AEI Cables carry approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB.
The company also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and states that it works to international standards around the world.