Fire Performance Cable

Fire Performance cable products

Our fire performance cables are specifically designed for augmented fire resistance in applications including the delivery of power and auxiliary control in fire alarm systems, voice alarm systems, and emergency lighting systems including those applications designed to meet BS5266. These cables will form part of the requirements of BS8519 for the installation of fire-resistant power and control cable systems for life safety and fire-fighting applications.

These fire resistant single core and multi-core cables are suitable for use within a number of Control Circuit categories. For added protection against the risk of mechanical damage, our fire performance cables with steel wire armour are designed to withstand direct impact and water jet pressure. 

Other fire resistant cables in our fire performance range include Mineral Insulated copper cables (MICC), designed to offer the ultimate fire resistance and good protection against electromagnetic interference. These high temperature cables are manufactured without any plastic insulation and provide circuit integrity up to 950^oC. They are also available with LSZH oversheathing in various colour options. These cables are principally used within hazardous and explosive environments or where corrosive chemicals may affect performance. Those without polymer oversheathing have ATEX approval and comply with the EU directives on working within hazardous or explosive environments.

Important fire performance cable definitions

Fire resistant single core and multicore cables - PH30 / PH60 / PH120 cable - fire rated

	Fire proof cable duration	Applications
PH30	Fire rated 30 minutes	PH30 cables are suitable for emergency applications where the circuit must remain operational for up to 30 minutes
PH60	Fire rated 60 minutes (1 hour)	PH60 cables are used in emergency applications, in particular emergency lighting to BS5266 where longer circuit operation is required in the event of fire
PH120	Fire rated 120 minutes (2 hours)	PH120 cables are designed for installations requiring enhanced circuit integrity for up to 120 minutes, This includes complex or high-rise blocks of flats requiring a longer evacuation period.

Standard fire resistance vs Enhanced fire resistance

Level	Manufacturing British standard	Applications
Standard fire resistance	BS7629-1, BS EN 50200 PH30, PH60 and PH120	Fire resistant single core cables and multicore cables for BS5839-1 (most fire detection and fire alarm systems), BS5266 (emergency lighting and standard application circuits), and BS8519 (life safety and fire-fighting) category 1 control circuits. Where used under standard BS5839-1, standard fire-resisting cables should be considered to provide sufficient resistance to the effects of fire, with appropriate methods of support and jointing.
Enhanced fire resistance	BS7629-1, BS8434-2, BS EN 50200 PH30, PH60 and PH120	Enhanced fire resistant cables are used in most public or complex buildings requiring emergency systems to remain operational for a minimum of two hours (PH120) in compliance with BS8434-2 and BS8519 category 1 & 2 control circuits. They are used for unsprinklered buildings with phased evacuation, unsprinklered buildings in excess of 30 metres in height, and where the designer, specifier or enforcing authority determines it is necessary on the basis of fire risk.

Fire resistant vs flame retardant cables

An important distinction exists between fire resistant cables and flame retardant cables. In brief, flame retardant cables are designed to self-extinguish within set parameters and resist the spread of fire into a new area. Fire resistant or fire rated cables are designed to maintain circuit integrity and continue to work for a specified period of time under defined conditions. The distinction between the two is crucial when it comes to maintaining critical circuits required for life safety or for a safe and immediate plant shutdown.

Fire resistant (fire rated) cables	Continues to operate in the presence of fire, hence their reference as Circuit Integrity cables, This includes PH30, PH60 and PH120 cables.
Flame retardant cables	Fire performance limited to not propagating fire

Fire performance cable selection

As a leading supplier of fire performance cable, we have vast experience of designing and supplying cables manufactured in accordance with British, European and international standards. Contact our technical team to discuss your specific project or application's requirements.