AEI Cables advises on specification checks
AEI Cables is advising organisations in the supply chain to check fire performance cable specifications whenever doubts arise about products.
The supplier said there is a need for certainty around the fire performance of cables that are intended to operate during an incident.
According to the company, this applies across all fire performance cables, with particular attention on Category 3 fire performance cables designed to work for up to 120 minutes in heat and flame.
AEI Cables stated that these cables are used to help protect equipment, property and lives where critical circuits must continue to function during a fire.
Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “These are challenging times in the supply chains and there is a need for certainty across all services, products and delivery.”
“Ultimately, we are protecting people and our buildings in which people move about.”
“The way to ensure protection is to use the most relevant quality products to meet specific requirements.”
“These requirements will change according to the level of protection needed for each project so we advise checking each and every time depending on the type of building and the product required.”
Fire performance cable categories and typical applications
According to AEI Cables, Category 1 fire performance cables provide 30 minutes of resistance to flames.
The company said these Category 1 products are typically used for emergency lighting circuits.
Category 2 fire performance cables provide 60 minutes of fire protection, the supplier added.
AEI Cables stated that Category 2 cables are commonly installed for fire alarm systems.
For firefighting use, the firm said additional operating time is required from the cables that supply power.
Category 3 fire performance cables are described as being able to withstand up to 120 minutes of fire exposure.
The company said these Category 3 cables provide enhanced emergency power to assist firefighters during operations.
According to AEI Cables, Category 3 fire performance cables support critical safety circuits in tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia.
Category 3 cables in life safety and evacuation systems
AEI Cables explained that its guidance on Category 3 Control fire performance cables covers several types of life safety systems.
According to the supplier, these cables are used for evacuation alarms for disabled occupants in care homes.
The company said they also serve emergency voice communications systems in relevant buildings.
Category 3 Control fire performance cables are further described as being used for voice alarm systems.
AEI Cables noted that systems powered by these cables can include smoke and heat extraction systems.
The supplier said these systems assist fire services with firefighting activities and support safe evacuation when life safety is at stake.
According to AEI Cables, the cables are designed to reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread during a real fire.
Firetec Enhanced approvals and code categories
AEI Cables reported that its Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) to BS8519 Annex B.
According to the company, Firetec Enhanced meets Category 3 Control requirements and also holds approval for Category 2 Control under BS8519.
The firm said the BS8519 Code of Practice contains six categories of cables.
These categories cover three types of power cables and three types of control cables, each aligned with survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.
AEI Cables stated that all of its products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including the British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) and LPCB.
The company added that it also holds approvals from Lloyds, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Network Rail and London Underground Limited (LUL).
According to AEI Cables, its products are manufactured to meet international standards used in markets around the world.
How cable categories may guide project design and procurement
Electrical contractors, system installers and fire-protection contractors who work with emergency lighting, alarm systems and other critical circuits can use the described cable categories to match 30, 60 or 120 minute fire performance with project requirements.
Fire engineers, building services engineers and architects involved in the design of tall buildings, hospitals, office spaces, shopping malls and stadia can reference the Category 1, 2 and 3 classifications when specifying circuits that must continue operating during fire conditions.
Facility managers responsible for care homes and other relevant buildings can take into account the use of Category 3 Control fire performance cables for evacuation alarms for disabled occupants, emergency voice communications systems and voice alarm systems.
Standards and certification bodies, together with fire engineering consultants, can relate the approvals for Firetec Enhanced cabling to the six cable categories set out in BS8519, which distinguish between power and control cables and define survival times of 30, 60 and 120 minutes.
Procurement officers working with AEI Cables’ products can factor in the independent approvals from BASEC, LPCB, Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL when reviewing specifications for fire performance cables in life safety applications.