When to Use fire resistant cable compound？

Flame Retardant and Fire Resistant Cables

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Understanding the Difference between Flame Retardant and Fire Resistant Cables

When planning public spaces, preparation for emergencies is a critical factor. Thorough fire and disaster planning are necessary, so it’s imperative for specifiers and contractors to know the best times to use flame retardant versus fire-resistant cables, understand their differences, and make appropriate choices accordingly.

Flame retardant cables are mainly designed to prevent the spread of fires. On the other hand, fire resistant cables ensure the circuit remains functional under certain conditions for a specified time during a fire.

Both types play essential roles in safeguarding the environment amid a fire incident, enhancing escape and survival rates.

Tratos’ flame resistant cable complies with flame propagation tests BS EN 60332, EN 50265, and BS 4066.

Tratos’ fire resistant cables are suited for a range of settings, including public buildings like schools and hospitals, railway stations, retail and leisure venues, offshore vessels, and hazardous locations such as Oil & Gas platforms. The manufacturer offers an extensive range of fire resistant cables compliant with updated Standards and Codes of Practice for fire detection, alarm systems, emergency lighting, and other essential power uses. Tratos’ on-site fire testing facilities ensure cable integrity, allowing them to produce cables that meet international standards across various projects. More detailed product information can be found in the products section:

Tratos’ flame retardance cables include diverse low smoke and fume cables designed and tested to resist flame propagation, reduce toxicity, and limit smoke and acid gas generation.

Tratos Firesafe cables adhere to the following British Standards:

• BS 7211 - Electric cables with thermosetting insulation and thermoplastic sheathing for voltages up to 450/750 V, exhibiting low smoke and corrosive gas emissions during fires.
• BS 7629 - Specification for 300/500 V fire resistant screened cables with low smoke and corrosive gas emissions in fires, suitable for multicore and multipair cables.
• BS 7846 - Thermosetting insulated, armored, fire-resistant cables for 600/1000 V, with reduced smoke and corrosive gas emissions during fires.

Tratos' fire resistant cables meet the following Codes of Practice when appropriately chosen and installed:

• BS 5266-1 – Emergency lighting Code of practice for emergency escape lighting.
• BS 5839-1 – Fire detection and alarm systems Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance in non-domestic premises.
• BS 7346-7 – Smoke and heat control systems Code of practice for functional recommendations and calculation methods in covered car parks.
• BS 8519:2010 – Code of practice for selecting and installing fire-resistant power and control cable systems for life safety and fire-fighting applications.
• BS 9999:2008 – Fire safety Code of practice for building design, management, and usage.

As manufacturers, not distributors, Tratos ensures both copper and fibre optic cables guarantee performance and quality, featuring:

• Fire integrity
• Combustion resistance
• Flame retardance
• Minimized flame spread
• Low toxicity and smoke
• Low acid gas generation
• Flexibility for easy installation

Tratos provides both “standard” and “enhanced” grade fire resistant cables designed to fit any installation’s needs, whether large or small, simple or complex, adhering to the corresponding Code of Practice. Alongside their Firesafe cables, Tratos supplies a variety of accessories, such as glands, p-clips, and saddles in Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSOH) to suit Tratos Firesafe cables.

Significant distinctions exist between LSF (Low Smoke and Fume) and LSHF (Low Smoke Halogen Free) cables. LSF initially termed by the MOD(N), describes cables with high oxygen and temperature index CSP sheathing compounds, showcasing improved fire performance. Subsequent developments led to more advanced compounds following unfortunate events in the Falklands war.

In the commercial cable sector, LSF encompasses any cable with high oxygen/temperature index and lower smoke emissions, covering halogenated materials such as PVC, CSP, and PCP. LSHF isn't a technical term; it varies among companies, with descriptors like Low Smoke O (zero) Halogen (LSOH) or Low Smoke No Halogens (LSNH).

PVC & FIRE

Burning PVC releases harmful gases, notably hydrogen chloride (HCL). HCL forms life-threatening and corrosive hydrochloric acid when exposed to moisture, damaging electronics, metal, and buildings. Zero halogen cables avoid dense black smoke, enhancing escape chances. Low smoke halogen-free cables reduce smoke and acid gas risks, safeguarding electronics and reducing choking hazards. While LSHF cables emit no more than 0.5% hydrogen chloride in fire tests, modified PVC LSF cables can still release dense smoke and dangerous gases, unsuitable for public areas or equipment-exposed environments.

Tratos Testing Facility

As an innovation-driven company committed to producing bespoke cables and pioneering next-gen product performance, Tratos invested in its advanced on-site test facility, emphasizing fire-testing. Their UK & Italy facilities excel, ensuring Tratos’ cables meet and often exceed standards. Tratos manufactures high-quality cables worldwide, complying with international regulations. The facility conducts standard voltage, spark test, and resistance tests, alongside in-depth evaluations, including elongation, heat shock, shrink back, and vertical flame tests.

These comprehensive tests cover available safe egress (ASET), area burning rate, backdraft, burning behavior, char, combustion, deflagration, ignition ease, fire load density, flame spread, smoke opacity, oxygen index, and more. Tratos’ facilities include a CPR (BS EN 50399) Test Rig, small scale (Bunsen burner test) BS EN 60332-1, large scale vertical propagation BS EN IEC 60332-3, Smoke density – 3 m³ BS EN 61034 and NBS Smoke Density Chamber, Acid gas emission BS EN 60754, tests on gases from cable materials combustion (halogen acid gas content), Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) – ASTM D2863, and Flammability Temperature Index (FTI) – ISO 4589-3. For detailed standards information, click:

Tratos Firesafe cables are verified and certified by LCPB, UKAS, BSI, LUR, and IMQ.

Manufactured according to:

• BS 7211, BS 7629, BS 7846
• Fire Performance based on:
• International – IEC 60331
• European Standards – BS EN 50200, BS EN 50267, BS EN 60332, BS EN 61034
• UK Standards – BS 8434, BS 8491
• Applicable Codes of Practice:
• UK Standards – BS 5266, BS 5839, BS 7346, BS 8519, BS 9999

Note: Tratos can manufacture cables compliant with other standards upon request.

TRATOS FIRESAFE-OPTI®

Tratos Firesafe Fibre Optic cables play a crucial role. LOW SMOKE ZERO HALOGEN (LSZH) CABLES offer improved circuit integrity during fires. Tratos Firesafe OPTI is designed for areas needing operational optical fibre cables during fires, such as railway and highways tunnels, underground transit systems, metro lines, ducts, and public buildings.

Standards

• CEI IEC 60331-11 Ed. 1999, equivalent CEI 20-36/1-1 Ed. 1 2003-03: Test for electric cables under fire alone at flame temperatures of at least 750°C.
• CEI IEC 60331-25 Ed. 1999, equivalent CEI 20-36/2-5 Ed. 1 2002-03: Test for electrical cables under fire conditions – circuits integrity part 25 procedures and requirements for optical fibre cables.

TRATOS FIRESAFE-SWA/M1®
600/1000 V ARMOURED – LOW SMOKE ZERO HALOGEN (LSZH) CABLES HAVING ENHANCED CIRCUIT INTEGRITY WHEN EXPOSED TO FIRE – BASED ON BS7846

Tratos Firesafe SWA/M1 is suitable for fire-prone installations needing circuit integrity. Applications include public buildings, schools, hospitals, cinemas, hotels, theatres, computer centers, etc., requiring an enhanced armoured grade cable per applicable Codes of Practice: BS 5266 Emergency lighting cables – enhanced, BS 5839 Clause 26.2e Enhanced grade, BS 8519 Category 1, 2, and 3 (pending third-party approval).

Standards

• BS 7846 F2; Manufacturing and test standard
• BS 6387; Categories C, W & Z
• BS 8434-2 enhanced
• BS EN 50200; PH30, PH60, PH120
• BS 8491; PH30, PH60, PH120*
• BS EN 60332-1 and BS EN 60332-3; Flame propagation
• BS EN 50267; Acid gas emission
• BS EN 61034; Smoke emission

TRATOS FIRESAFE-TW950E®
300/500 V – LOW SMOKE ZERO HALOGEN (LSZH) CABLES

Having Enhanced Circuit Integrity When Exposed to Fire – Based on BS7629

Tratos Firesafe TW950e is suitable for fire-prone installations needing circuit integrity. Applications include public buildings, schools, hospitals, cinemas, hotels, theatres, computer centers, etc., requiring an enhanced grade cable per applicable Codes of Practice: BS 5266 Emergency lighting cables – enhanced, BS 5839 Clause 26.2e Enhanced grade, BS 8519 Category 1, 2, and 3 (pending third-party approval).

Standards

• BS 7629; Manufacturing standard
• BS 6387; Categories C, W & Z
• BS 8434-2 enhanced
• BS EN 50200; PH30, PH60, PH120
• BS EN 60332-1 and BS EN 60332-3; Flame propagation
• BS EN 50267; Acid gas emission
• BS EN 61034; Smoke emission

TRATOS FIRESAFE-TW950S®

TRATOS FIRESAFE – TW950s®
300/500 V – LOW SMOKE ZERO HALOGEN (LSZH) CABLES HAVING STANDARD CIRCUIT INTEGRITY WHEN EXPOSED TO FIRE – BASED ON BS7629

Tratos Firesafe TW950s suits fire-prone installations needing circuit integrity. Applications include public buildings, schools, hospitals, cinemas, hotels, theatres, computer centers, etc., requiring a standard grade cable per applicable Codes of Practice: BS 5266 Emergency lighting cables – standard, BS 5839 Clause 26.2d Standard grade, BS 8519 Category 1 and 2 (pending third-party approval).

Standards

• BS 7629; Manufacturing standard
• BS 6387; Categories C, W & Z
• BS EN 50200; PH30 (30 minutes annex E)
• BS EN 60332-1 and BS EN 60332-3; Flame propagation
• BS EN 50267; Acid gas emission
• BS EN 61034; Smoke emission

TRATOS FIRESAFE-TW100®
450/750V – LOW SMOKE ZERO HALOGEN (LSZH) CABLES HAVING ENHANCED CIRCUIT INTEGRITY WHEN EXPOSED TO FIRE – BASED ON BS7211

Tratos Firesafe TW100 is tailored for installations where fire poses a hazard and circuit integrity must be maintained. It’s apt for deployment in demanding conditions, where cables are protected with metal conduit or trunking. Application areas include public buildings, schools, hospitals, cinemas, hotels, theatres, computer centers, etc., demanding standard grade cables per the applicable Code of Practice: BS 5266 Emergency lighting cables, both standard and enhanced, when enclosed in steel conduit.

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Standards

• BS 7211 Manufacturing standard with an added mica-glass fire resistant tape.
• BS 6387; Categories C, W & Z (applied to a single cable)
• IEC 60331; flame temperature of 950°C
• BS EN 50200: installed in screwed steel conduit
• BS EN 50200 Annex E: installed in screwed steel conduit
• BS EN 60332-1 and BS EN 60332-3; Flame propagation
• BS EN 50267; Acid gas emission
• BS EN 61034; Smoke emission

Click on the link for more information on TRATOS FIRESAFE-TW100®.

Tratos Firesafe range aligns with CPR regulation:

CPR

Tratos has supported The Construction Products Regulation or CPR from the outset. CPR evaluates construction products’ performance EU-wide. With CPR, industry professionals, public authorities, and consumers gain a clear performance comparison across manufacturers and countries. Discover more here https://tratosgroup.com/quality/cpr/

Fire-Resistant Cables are Essential for Safety

Fire-resistant cables play a critical role in enhancing safety and reducing fire risks in various facilities. This article delves into essential details about these fireproof cables.

During emergencies, certain circuits must remain operational. Implementation of fire rated cables ensures this continuity.

Technological advancements and updates in the National Electrical Code (NEC) have led to the creation of fire-resistant cables for alarm and emergency systems. These fireproof cables must meet NEC CI standards and pass IEC 60331 tests.

Rather than shutting down immediately when a fire erupts, fire-resistant cables continue to transmit power through circuits.

This power is crucial for running fire pumps, elevators, smoke control equipment, fire alarm systems, and other emergency systems necessary for ensuring safety during crises.

The NEC mandates these circuits' operation for two hours during emergencies, offering crucial time for:

• Evacuating the building
• Firefighters extinguishing the fire
• Maintaining communication during emergencies
• Evacuating vulnerable patients in care facilities like hospitals

Article 728 released by NEC in 2014, with updates in 2017, provides detailed guidelines for fire-resistant cables.

Overview of Fireproof Cable Requirements

While a detailed analysis exceeds this article's scope, here's a basic overview of Article 728's contents:

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