Fire-Resistant and Flame-Retardant Cables: Standards and Applications

At present, the cable industry is accustomed to collectively refer to cables with certain fire resistance properties such as flame-retardant, halogen-free low-smoke or low-halogen low-smoke, and fire-resistant as fire-resistant cables.

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Fire-resistant cables are a specific type of electrical cable engineered to maintain functionality during a fire for a designated duration. They serve to supply electrical power to critical equipment such as smoke extractors, water pumps, and alarm systems in emergency situations.

These cables find extensive application in essential circuits within environments such as hospitals, airports, tunnels, subways, offices, manufacturing plants, and laboratories.

Designed to sustain normal operation in temperatures up to 300 degrees Celsius, yet they can only sustain this functionality for a limited period beyond this threshold.

The cable's sheath is constructed from non-flammable materials, producing minimal smoke and devoid of halogen, thereby reducing the emission of toxic gases during fire condition.

Under fire conditions, standard cables might not be capable of withstanding high-temperature, melt, and cause short circuits. This can result in several serious consequences: In most circumstances, fire-resistant cables play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the electrical system. They are commonly used in:

• Emergency systems: Fire alarm systems, emergency lighting, public address systems, and elevator control systems rely on these cables to function normally during evacuation.

• Critical infrastructure: Hospitals, data centers, airports, and transportation hubs require uninterrupted power and communication, making fire-resistant cables more essential than ever.

• Hazardous environments: Oil drilling platforms, chemical plants, and other high-risk areas require cables capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and harsh environmental conditions.

Structure and feature of fire-resistant cables