Southern Spain research identifies drivers of suppression performance

by Featured NewsFire SuppressionResearchWildland Fire

Southern Spain study reports what suppression achieved in Andalusia

An assessment of wildfire management in Andalusia found that suppression operations protected an estimated 67% of the potentially burnable area across 39 wildfires recorded between 2011 and 2019.

The findings were published in 2026 by Ortega M, López Sancho A and Molina JR in the International Journal of Wildland Fire.

The study estimated that for every unit of cost invested in suppression, about three units of potential economic losses were averted.

The authors concluded that operational performance and economic return varied according to province, fire behaviour and timing within the season.

Provincial, seasonal and fire behaviour patterns shaped results in Spain

The analysis identified consistent differences between provinces in southern Spain, with Córdoba and Sevilla recording higher effectiveness and higher cost-benefit values than Huelva and Cádiz.

Fire growth rate was linked to lower effectiveness, with faster-growing fires more difficult to contain.

Longer control times were associated with improved cost-benefit and cost effectiveness values.

The study reported lower containment effectiveness for fires occurring in June compared with July and August.

Later-season fires were associated with higher cost effectiveness.

Wildfires igniting during daytime were less effectively contained than those starting at night.

Higher rates of spread and longer flame lengths were linked in the modelling to increased technical efficiency values, alongside longer control times.

Modified index proposed to reflect area saved rather than area burned

The paper reported that the traditional Management Index relates suppression costs to total area burned, which can produce low values when fires are kept small.

To address this, the authors proposed a modified Management Index that links suppression costs to the area saved from burning.

The mean technical efficiency value reported in the study was 0.61, and the mean modified index value was 0.33.

The authors stated that combining measures of operational effectiveness and economic efficiency provides a multidimensional framework for assessing wildfire suppression performance in Spain.

AEI Cables urges expert guidance on fire-safe cables amid market confusion

by Featured NewsPassiveSafety

AEI Cables highlights confusion over new rules

AEI Cables has urged those responsible for specifying and procuring fire performance cables to seek expert technical advice amid what it describes as growing confusion around new legislation and compliance.

The company said many decision-makers in the supply chain are facing difficult choices about fire-safe products and may be unsure how to interpret current requirements.

AEI Cables stated that technical specialists within the company and within member organisations are available to support project teams who are uncertain about product selection.

Stuart Dover, General Manager of AEI Cables, said: “There seems to be a lot of confusion in the marketplace at the moment around new legislation which makes the selection of cables even more difficult.

“We are advising those who are faced with making these decisions to ask the experts.

“We have technical experts and there are industry specialists attached to member organisations.

“We would ask the decision-makers to seek another opinion if they are in any doubt because the effects of installing the wrong cables can be catastrophic.”

Fire performance cable categories and their uses

According to AEI Cables, clarity on the different fire performance categories is central to making appropriate choices for individual systems.

The company explained that Category 1 fire performance cables provide 30 minutes of fire resistance and are typically used for emergency lighting circuits.

Category 2 fire performance cables are described as offering 60 minutes of protection and are commonly installed for fire alarm systems.

For firefighting situations, AEI Cables noted that extended circuit integrity is required, with Category 3 fire performance cables specified to withstand exposure to fire for up to 120 minutes.

These higher-rated cables are used to maintain emergency power for critical safety circuits in tall buildings, office developments, hospitals, shopping centres and large venues such as stadia.

Category 3 control cables in life-safety systems

AEI Cables highlighted that the guidance for Category 3 Control fire performance cables covers a range of life-safety applications.

The company said these applications include evacuation alarms for disabled occupants in care homes, emergency voice communication systems and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings.

Systems supplied by these cables also power smoke and heat extraction installations, which support firefighting operations and help maintain conditions for safe evacuation.

AEI Cables added that the specified cable designs are intended to reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread during a fire incident.

Firetec Enhanced and BS8519 compliance framework

AEI Cables reported that its Firetec Enhanced cabling range has been approved and certified by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) to BS8519 Annex B as a Category 3 Control cable, as well as meeting Category 2 Control requirements.

The company said the British Standard Code of Practice BS8519 sets out six categories of cables, with three categories for power cables and three for control cables.

Each category in BS8519 is associated with a defined survival time of 30, 60 or 120 minutes, providing a framework for matching cable performance to the operational needs of different safety circuits.

How cable selection guidance affects building and safety projects

The information provided by AEI Cables is directly relevant for electrical contractors, system installers and fire-protection contractors who are tasked with choosing suitable fire performance cables for projects.

These groups often need to match cable survival times to specific systems such as emergency lighting, fire alarms and emergency voice communications, making the distinctions between Category 1, Category 2 and Category 3 products central to their work.

For fire engineering consultants, mechanical and electrical engineers and building services engineers, the clarification around BS8519 categories provides a reference point for design decisions on critical safety circuits in tall buildings, hospitals, office complexes, shopping centres and stadia.

Facility managers in these settings also rely on compliant cabling to keep evacuation alarms, emergency voice communication and smoke and heat extraction systems operational during a fire, which AEI Cables noted can affect firefighting and evacuation conditions over 30, 60 or 120 minutes.

By drawing attention to available technical support, AEI Cables has indicated that specifiers and decision-makers who are uncertain about new legislation or about how to apply cable categories can obtain additional guidance before making purchasing decisions.

Fire performance compliance guidance issued by AEI Cables

by Featured NewsPassiveResearchTraining

Category 3 cables recommended for UK buildings

AEI Cables has reported that using higher-rated fire performance cables can assist firefighting operations in some of the UK’s largest new developments.

The company explained that Category 3 fire performance cables are designed to operate for up to 120 minutes during fire conditions, maintaining emergency power to safety systems in tall buildings, hospitals, shopping centres and sports venues.

According to AEI Cables, this extended survival time supports critical safety circuits that enable evacuation and emergency response.

It noted that the systems supplied by these cables include smoke and heat extraction equipment as well as emergency communication systems.

The company said these systems play an essential role in firefighting support and safe evacuation.

Comparison between cable categories

AEI Cables explained that Category 1 cables are rated to 30 minutes and are suited for applications such as emergency lighting.

It stated that Category 2 cables can operate for 60 minutes, making them appropriate for alarm and detection systems.

The company reported that Category 3 cables provide two hours of fire resistance, a duration that it said is necessary when supporting firefighting activities in complex buildings.

According to the guidance, Category 3 Control cables are recommended for installations including evacuation alarms for disabled residents in care homes and voice alarm systems in multi-occupancy structures.

It said this advice applies to both new projects and existing facilities.

Statement from AEI Cables

Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “In the interest of safety of property and lives in these critical spaces we are recommending these cables because they meet all compliance requirements.

“This provides specifiers, installers and asset owners peace of mind when considering cabling for new and existing buildings.”

Certification and standards

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

The company advised that BS8519 provides a code of practice covering six categories of cables.

It explained that the standard includes three categories for power cables and three for control cables.

Each category is defined by survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.

According to AEI Cables, compliance with these standards supports effective emergency planning and system reliability during fire incidents.

Safety benefits of high-rated cables

The company explained that higher category cables are designed to limit smoke generation, toxic gas emissions and flame spread.

It added that this reduces risk to building occupants and assists firefighters by preserving visibility and air quality during evacuation.

According to AEI Cables, maintaining the function of extraction and communication systems under fire conditions directly contributes to safer outcomes.

The manufacturer said the deployment of these cables supports both firefighting operations and life safety protection.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

For fire safety professionals, the guidance provides detailed information on the performance levels of different cable categories.

The recommendations emphasise the role of Category 3 cables in supporting extended firefighting operations and safe evacuation procedures.

The clarification of British Standards categories offers a reference point for specifiers, engineers and installers working on projects that require compliance with fire performance regulations.

The advice also underlines the link between cable selection, system resilience and emergency outcomes.

Fire performance compliance guidance issued by AEI Cables: Summary

AEI Cables has advised on the use of Category 3 fire performance cables in UK buildings.

The company said these cables are designed to withstand fire for 120 minutes.

It reported that Category 3 cables support safety systems in tall buildings, hospitals, shopping centres and sports venues.

AEI Cables explained that Category 1 cables provide 30 minutes of protection for lighting.

It added that Category 2 cables give 60 minutes of protection for alarm systems.

The company said Category 3 cables maintain emergency power for two hours to assist firefighters.

It reported that guidance applies to evacuation alarms for disabled residents, emergency voice communications and voice alarm systems.

Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said the cables meet compliance requirements.

The company stated that its Firetec Enhanced range has been certified to BS8519 Annex B.

It added that the BS standard defines six categories of cables covering survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.

AEI Cables explained that higher-rated cables also reduce smoke, toxic gases and flame spread.

It said these features help firefighters and support safe evacuation.