AEI Cables warns on cabling safety across electrical supply chain

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AEI Cables commentary on cabling safety

AEI Cables has published commentary calling on the electrical supply chain to follow its duty of care on cabling safety during the current economic climate.

In its commentary, AEI Cables said specifiers, main contractors and installers are responsible for making sure cabling choices are relevant and safe for each application.

The company said Category 3 Control fire performance cables sit at the upper end of requirements.

These cables are designed to withstand heat and flames for up to 120 minutes.

AEI Cables said the cables support critical safety circuits in tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia.

The systems powered by these cables assist firefighting operations and support safe evacuation in life safety situations.

Fire performance requirements and standards

AEI Cables said recent legislation affecting electrical and fire safety includes the Building Safety Act 2022.

The Act sets new requirements for higher-risk buildings, defined here as those of at least 18 metres in height or at least seven storeys containing at least two residential units.

AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control as well as Category 2 Control.

Under BS8519, the code of practice contains six cable categories.

Three categories apply to power cables and three apply to control cables.

The categories cover survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.

Dover sets out AEI Cables position

Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “There are many challenges facing the electrical supply chain, not least the sheer amount of legislation and guidance being issued as well as tough trading conditions.

“At the same time, we must not forget our responsibilities to ensure the relevant cabling products and accessories are chosen for each project.

“Ultimately, we are talking about the safety of people moving about in large buildings.

“This goes beyond legislation.

“If in doubt, please seek guidance because the choice of cabling and level of fire performance is of paramount importance in the event of a fire.”

AEI Cables also said its products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB.

The company added that it holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD and LUL, and works to international standards around the world.

AEI Cables urges cabling beyond minimum safety requirements in modern buildings

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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.

AEI Cables outlines what building legislation means for fire performance cables

by Featured NewsIndustry CommentPassiveSafety

Building legislation and early project collaboration

New building legislation affecting electrical supply chains can be addressed through early collaboration between parties on a project, says AEI Cables.

The company said recent additions to legislation are creating new demands on electrical and fire safety, including the Building Safety Act 2022.

The Act introduces requirements for higher-risk buildings, defined as those at least 18 metres high or at least seven storeys, containing at least two residential units.

Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “When the various parties get together early in the process there is often an agreement on roles and how the project’s legislative requirements can be achieved.

“The shared responsibility is important and helps everyone when we are ultimately dealing with the safety of people moving about in large buildings and spaces.”

Cable requirements linked to records and fire performance

The Building Safety Act includes the Golden Thread, which requires a comprehensive record of safety-related information to be kept throughout the lifecycle of a building, with a focus on clear communication between all parties.

AEI Cables has also highlighted collaboration as a way to help meet demand for Category 3 Control fire performance cables identified under the revised British Standard BS8519: 2020 Code of Practice.

The company said these cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire.

It said the systems powered by these cables include smoke and heat extraction systems that assist fire services in firefighting and support safe evacuation in life safety situations.

The guidance for Category 3 Control fire performance cables applies to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia.

AEI Cables said its Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control, in addition to Category 2 Control.

It said the BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables, each covering survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.

The company said its products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) and LPCB, and that it also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL.

AEI Cables highlights compliance focus for Category 3 fire performance cables

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Compliance and cabling choices under the new regime

AEI Cables has said choosing the correct cabling under the new regulatory regime is critical for safety across the construction industry supply chain.

The company said it is receiving requests from customers for help staying within the legal framework of the Building Safety Act and its requirements as the new Building Safety Regulator starts to make enforcement for non-compliance.

Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “This is a difficult time for the construction supply industry and those addressing the new legislation including electrical cabling requirements.

“We believe in using the correct and most relevant cabling to meet specific needs for all reasons of safety.

“We are happy to answer queries with our technical help as it may save a lot of time and effort and help our customers and others keep within the legal limits of the act.”

Cable categories and stated survival times

AEI Cables is highlighting Category 3 fire performance cables where relevant, describing them as designed to withstand heat and flames for up to 120 minutes to protect equipment and provide emergency power to assist firefighters.

It said these cables support critical safety circuits in tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia.

The company also linked these cables to systems including smoke and heat extraction systems, stating they support firefighting and evacuation in life safety scenarios.

Category 1 fire performance cables are described as providing 30 minutes of defence against flames and being used for emergency lighting.

Category 2 cables are described as providing 60 minutes of fire protection and being commonly used for alarm systems.

Product approvals and certifications referenced

AEI Cables said its Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control.

It described BS8519 as a code of practice with six categories of cables, split into three power and three control categories covering survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.

AEI Cables also said its products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB, and that it holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL.

AEI Cables calls for careful selection of cables for life safety systems

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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.