AEI Cables warns on cabling safety across electrical supply chain

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

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.

LPCB certifies Ciqurix video flame detection for complex environments

Ciqurix achieves first LPS 1976 certification

Ciqurix has become the first manufacturer to receive certification under the new LPS 1976 Video Flame Detection Standard.

The company said approval covers its FC-XFP detectors, which form part of the Ciqurix CORE Video Flame Detection System.

Certification has been granted by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), part of BRE Global, and is recorded under Certificate No. 1852a on RedBook Live.

According to Ciqurix, achieving LPS 1976 approval confirms independently assessed performance, reliability and resistance to false alarms for the CORE System.

The Ciqurix certificate was presented by senior BRE representatives during a handover ceremony at London Build Expo, London, UK, on Wednesday 19 November 2025.

New benchmark for video flame detection systems

Ciqurix stated that LPS 1976 is the first research-based benchmark developed specifically for intelligent video flame detection systems.

The company noted that previous standards did not provide a dedicated framework for assessing this type of technology.

LPCB developed the standard through several years of experimental testing, working with industry specialists, the Fire Industry Association (FIA) and manufacturers.

The resulting criteria focus on how systems behave in service conditions, including their ability to detect flames reliably and limit false activations.

BRE Assurance has described LPS 1976 as a framework that can be applied internationally and supports both product developers and end users.

Applications and deployment of the CORE System

Video flame detection is used in large, complex or high-airflow environments where conventional heat or smoke alarms may not respond quickly.

Ciqurix highlighted waste processing facilities, manufacturing plants, warehouses, tunnels and transportation hubs as examples where this approach can be applied.

The CORE System combines advanced infrared video analytics with visual imaging to identify flames within seconds and trigger connected fire detection systems.

Live video feeds from the detectors can provide operators and first responders with early situational awareness and visual confirmation of incidents.

Ciqurix reported that CORE installations now cover nearly 150 sites in 16 countries.

The company expects certification under LPS 1976 to support wider adoption in the UK and other markets.

Industry perspectives on certification and standards

Chief Executive Officer Paul Seligman said the LPS 1976 approval reflects the development path Ciqurix has followed since it began work on video flame detection.

Paul Seligman, Chief Executive Officer, Ciqurix, said: “When we first set out to create a video flame detection system, we were told it couldn’t be done, especially not by a small company with no existing market and a product we had to invent from scratch.

“I’m immensely proud to see that same innovation becoming the world’s first system accredited under LPS 1976.

“Independent certification provides the confidence that customers and regulators need.

“This is a major step forward for fire safety innovation and for the industries that depend on early, reliable flame detection in the most challenging environments.”

Jane Fields, Managing Director, BRE Assurance, said the development of LPS 1976 has been based on tests rather than solely on discussion.

Jane Fields, Managing Director, BRE Assurance, said: “Many standards are written around a table.

“What makes this one different is that it was built through actual experimental testing, collaboration with industry experts and real experience of how these technologies behave in the service environment.

“By grounding the standard in research, we’ve given the industry a credible, globally applicable framework that both supports manufacturers and enhances safety.”

Implications of LPS 1976 for high-risk sites

Procurement officers and equipment specifiers can now reference LPS 1976 when evaluating video flame detection systems for complex buildings and sites.

The standard gives these roles a research-based benchmark for performance, reliability and false-alarm behaviour drawn from experimental testing.

Standards and certification bodies may use the framework when comparing different technologies and aligning future requirements with independently verified criteria.

Fire engineering consultants and risk assessors working on waste processing plants, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, tunnels and transport hubs can factor the availability of LPS 1976-certified products into design choices.

Facility managers in high-airflow or large-volume environments gain access to systems where performance has been assessed under conditions intended to mirror real service operation.

For system installers and fire-protection contractors, the existence of a dedicated standard for video flame detection supports clearer specifications and documentation during project delivery.

Fire and rescue chiefs responsible for pre-incident planning at high-risk sites may find that installations based on LPS 1976-certified equipment offer enhanced visual information through live video verification during early stages of an incident.

OHEAP Fire and Security expands services with tailored kitchen suppression systems

Bespoke kitchen suppression service launched by OHEAP

OHEAP Fire and Security has announced the launch of its new kitchen suppression service for commercial clients.

The company said the service provides bespoke system design, installation and maintenance for complete protection in professional kitchens.

It explained that the launch addresses growing fire risks in open-plan kitchens, particularly within restaurants and catering environments.

The company added that the new service reflects its continued goal to help businesses improve fire safety through tailored, end-to-end solutions.

Tailored protection for diverse kitchen environments

According to OHEAP Fire and Security, the service is designed for kitchens of all sizes and sectors.

Each installation begins with a detailed site assessment and risk analysis to ensure systems match the kitchen’s specific layout, ventilation and equipment.

The company said that accredited engineers manage every stage of consultation and installation to ensure each system detects and extinguishes fires at the source while limiting disruption.

This approach moves away from standardised systems, which the firm said often fail to provide full coverage in modern kitchen setups.

Three LPCB-approved suppression options available

OHEAP Fire and Security confirmed that customers can choose between three Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB)-approved systems.

The available options include Ansul for high-heat environments, Ceasefire for modular or compact kitchens, and Amerex for cost-effective applications.

Each system is compliant with LPCB and BS EN 16282 standards, ensuring third-party certification and regulatory assurance.

The company stated that this flexibility allows clients to select the most appropriate solution based on kitchen size and operational needs.

Built on six decades of experience

OHEAP Fire and Security said the launch builds on more than 60 years of experience supporting clients across hospitality, healthcare, education and manufacturing.

Nicholas Heap, Managing Director of OHEAP Fire and Security, said: “Commercial kitchens are some of the most challenging environments to protect.

“Our goal is to make fire protection simple, compliant and tailored to our customers.

“The launch of our kitchen suppression service is part of our ongoing mission to keep businesses operating safely without compromise.”

The company added that its ongoing customer support includes maintenance, compliance guidance and staff training to promote proactive fire safety management.

Supporting safer commercial kitchens through education

OHEAP Fire and Security explained that the new service includes continued guidance and maintenance planning to help customers remain compliant.

It said that this support ensures that systems remain effective and aligned with regulatory standards over time.

The company added that education and training form a central part of its long-term approach to kitchen safety.

It said that this reinforces its view that lasting fire protection relies on collaboration between installers, engineers and kitchen operators.

Practical relevance for fire safety stakeholders

The introduction of OHEAP Fire and Security’s kitchen suppression service has direct implications for building services engineers, fire-protection contractors and facilities managers overseeing commercial kitchens.

For system installers and maintenance providers, the launch provides an expanded set of LPCB-approved options that align with BS EN 16282 compliance.

Procurement officers and risk assessors in hospitality and catering can use the service’s flexible design and system variety to match fire-suppression solutions with the specific layout and operational risks of their sites.

The inclusion of structured training and maintenance support also holds value for organisations responsible for ongoing compliance and audit readiness.