Fire Cable are made to prevent a fire from spreading to another region. These cables are made to keep circuits intact and work for a certain amount of time under specific conditions.
Fire Retardant Cables
Flame retardancy, sometimes known as flammability, refers to how easily a cable’s plastic can catch fire, whether it drops when it does, and whether or not the resulting droplets are blazing. A good flame retardant material will be able to sit in a flame without catching fire, and if the flame is strong enough to ignite the insulation or sheath, it will self-extinguish once the flame source is removed. Both fire resistant and flame retardant cables contain flame retardant compounds.
A flame-retardant cable is one that does not transmit or propagate a flame as specified by flame-retardant or propagation tests.
Flame retardant tests are used to determine the spread of flame in both horizontal and vertical applications. Plenum cable flame tests are also available for use in ducts, plenums, and other areas where ambient air is distributed. The flame spread and smoke generation in a simulated air handling plenum are measured using the NFPA 262, which is the same as the CSA FT-6. Plenum cables must pass a more stringent test than those used in horizontal and vertical flame tests.
Fire Rated Flexible Cable
A fire-resistive or Fire Rated Cable is one that can continue to function even if it is engulfed in flames. This cable is also known as a circuit integrity (CI) cable and is fire-rated for two hours.
For decades, mineral insulated (MI) cable has provided this enhanced protection. Copper conductors, magnesium oxide, and a copper sheath are used in the manufacturing of MI cables. MI cable is available in single and multi-conductor configurations. This 2-hour fire-resistant cable is intended for use with emergency power circuits for fire pumps and generators. Because MI is time-consuming and difficult to install, it is rarely employed in low-voltage fire alarm and emergency communication systems.
Fire Protection Cable
These cables are used to connect security systems such as smoke detectors, emergency lighting, exit signboards, and fire command centres in high-rise buildings, business complexes, schools and educational institutions, hospitals, and so on. These cables are utilised in situations when fire safety is critical.
Fire Resistant Cable
A fire-resistant cable is one that can operate safely for an extended period of time under flame-burning conditions. High-rise structures, subways, underground retail malls, power plants, and large industrial and mining businesses all use fire-resistant cables for fire protection and fire rescue. Power supply and control cables for firefighting facilities, for example.