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In modern buildings and industrial facilities, Fire-Resistant Cable are not only the carrier of power transmission, but also a key component in safeguarding life and property. Whether in high-rise buildings, subway tunnels, or petrochemical plants, fire-resistant cables ensure the continuous operation of emergency systems at critical times. This article will provide you with an in-depth analysis of the structure, standards, classification, application scenarios and selection of fire-resistant cables, to help you make a wise choice in the project.
Fire rated cable is a type of cable designed to maintain the integrity of electrical circuits during a fire. They provide electrical support for critical equipment such as fire pumps, emergency lighting, and alarm systems, even under extreme conditions of heat, flame, and water spray. These cables are typically constructed with copper conductors, clad with mica tape (Mica Tape) as a fireproofing layer, and insulated and sheathed with cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) or low-smoke, zero-halogen (LSZH) materials. They are designed to extend the operation of critical systems in the event of a fire, buying valuable time for evacuation and fire fighting.
A typical fire rated cable consists of the following components:
Conductor: usually made of copper, which has excellent electrical conductivity and heat resistance.
Fireproof layer: commonly used mica tape, which can still maintain structural stability at high temperatures.
Insulation: mostly XLPE or silicone rubber, with good thermal stability and electrical properties.
Sheathing: Common materials include low-smoke, non-halogen (LSZH) or flame-retardant PVC, which produces less smoke and toxic gases when burned.
In addition, some high-end products will also add a steel tape armor (DSTA) layer to enhance mechanical strength and compression resistance.
Fire rated cables are required to comply with a number of international standards to ensure their performance in a fire:
IEC 60331: requires cables to maintain circuit integrity at 750°C for 90 minutes.
BS 6387: Divided into several classes (A, B, C, W, X, Y, Z), the cables are tested for their performance under different temperatures, mechanical shocks and water spray conditions.
CNS 11174: requires cables to maintain circuit integrity at 840°C for 30 minutes.
These standards ensure that fire-resistant cables are able to continue to supply power in the event of a fire and safeguard the normal operation of critical systems in practical applications.
Based on construction and performance, fire rated cables can be categorized into the following types:
1. Basic type (Cu/Mica/XLPE/FR-PVC)
Suitable for general construction projects, lower cost, but may release toxic fumes at high temperatures.
2. Standard type (Cu/Mica/XLPE/LSZH)
Adopting low smoke and halogen free sheath, it produces less smoke and toxic gas in fire and is suitable for public places with heavy flow of people.
3. Special type (Cu/Silicone Rubber mix/LSZH)
Using silicone rubber mix, it can operate stably from -60°C to high temperature environment, suitable for high temperature industries such as steel, aviation and shipbuilding.
4. Mineral Insulated Cable (MI Cable)
Consisting of copper conductor, magnesium oxide insulation and copper sheath, it has extremely high fire resistance and mechanical strength, and is suitable for critical facilities such as hospitals and subways.
Fire-resistant cables are widely used in the following areas:
Building and construction: high-rise buildings, shopping centers, residential areas, etc. for fire protection systems, emergency lighting, evacuation elevators, etc.
Transportation infrastructure: subways, tunnels, airports, etc., to ensure the normal operation of communication, signaling and emergency systems in case of fire.
Oil & Gas Industry: refineries, offshore platforms, etc. for control systems, pumps and safety equipment.
Power facilities: power plants, substations, etc., to ensure continuous power supply to critical equipment during a fire.
Medical facilities: hospitals, etc., to ensure uninterrupted operation of life support systems and communication networks during a fire.
Data centers: to protect sensitive information and keep communication systems functioning normally during a fire.
The following factors should be considered when selecting fire protection cables:
Conductor material and cross-sectional area: Prefer copper conductor with cross-sectional area of not less than 1.0 mm² to ensure electrical conductivity at high temperature.
Fireproof layer material: preferably synthetic mica tape, whose quality and stability are better than natural mica.
Insulation materials: XLPE and PE produce less residue when burned and have less effect on the mica tape, preferable to PVC.
Brands and certifications: Choose brands with clear sources and international quality certifications (e.g. ISO, BS).
Are fireproof cables completely fireproof?
Fireproof cables are not completely non-flammable, but they maintain circuit integrity for a certain period of time. Fireproof cables will eventually fail under strong and continuous fire sources. Therefore, regular maintenance and timely replacement of fireproof cables are essential.
What is LSZH?
LSZH stands for Low Smoke Zero Halogen, which is a material that produces less smoke and no halogen gas when burned, which can reduce the release of toxic gases in fires and improve personnel safety.
Is it necessary to use fireproof cables throughout the building?
Typically, fireproof cables are mainly used in critical areas such as fire protection systems, emergency lighting, evacuation routes, etc. Whether to use them throughout the building should be determined based on project needs and safety assessments.
Conclusion
Fireproof cables play a vital role in modern buildings and industrial facilities. They not only ensure the continued operation of critical systems in fires, but also buy valuable time for personnel evacuation and fire fighting. In the process of project design and implementation, the rational selection and application of fireproof cables are key steps to ensure safety and compliance with regulatory requirements. It is recommended that you consider the specific needs of the project, refer to international standards, and consult professionals when selecting a model to make the most appropriate decision.
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