FAQ


32. Fire resistant cables VS Flame retardant cables

An important distinction exists between fire resistant cables and flame retardant cables, even though both of

them are subjected to various fire performance tests in order to earn their respective classification. In brief,

flame retardant cables are designed to 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. 

Our fire performance cables are usually manufactured according to the standards as follows:

Fire resistant and flame retardant standards:

BS7629-1, BS8592, BS EN 50200 PH30 / PH60 / PH120, BS7846 and BS6387 CWZ，BS8491，BS8434-2, IEC

60331-21, IEC 60331-23, IEC 60331-25, IEC 60331-1, IEC 60331-2, IEC 60331-3, IEC 60332-1-2, IEC 60332-3-

22, IEC 60332-3-23, IEC 60332-3-24, BS EN 60332-3-22, BS EN 60332-3-23, BS EN 60332-3-24

Fire resistant standards:


BS 7629-1

Electric cables – Specification for 300/500 V fire resistant, screened, fixed installation cables having low emission of smoke and corrosive gases when affected by fire Part 1: Multicore cables

BS 7846

Electric cables – Thermosetting insulated, armoured, fire-resistant cables of rated voltage 600/1 000 V for fixed installations, having low emission of smoke and corrosive gases when affected by fire – Specification

BS 8592

Electric cables – Thermosetting insulated, non-armoured, fire-resistant, single core non-sheathed cables of rated voltage 450/750 V, having low emission of smoke and corrosive gases when affected by fire – Specification

BS EN 50200

Method of test for resistance to fire of unprotected small cables for use in emergency circuits

BS 6387

Test method for resistance to fire of cables required to maintain circuit integrity under fire conditions

BS8434-2

Methods of test for assessment of the fire integrity of electric cables - Part 2: Test for unprotected small cables for use in emergency circuits - BS EN 50200 with a 930 degree C flame and with water spray

BS 8491

Method for assessment of fire integrity of large diameter power cables for use as components for smoke and heat control systems and certain other active fire safety systems

IEC 60331-21

Tests for Electric Cables under Fire Conditions - Circuit Integrity - Part 21: Procedures and Requirements - Cables of Rated Voltage up to and Including 0,6/1,0 kV

IEC 60331-23

Tests for Electric Cables under Fire Conditions - Circuit Integrity - Part 23: Procedures and Requirements - Electric Data Cables

IEC 60331-25

Tests for Electric Cables under Fire Conditions - Circuit Integrity - Part 25: Procedures and Requirements - Optical Fibre Cables

IEC 60331-1

Tests for electric cables under fire conditions – Circuit integrity – Part 1: Test method for fire with shock at a temperature of at least 830°C for cables of rated voltage up to and including 0,6/1,0 kV and with an overall diameter exceeding 20 mm

IEC 60331-2

Tests for electric cables under fire conditions – Circuit integrity – Part 2: Test method for fire with shock at a temperature of at least 830°C for cables of rated voltage up to and including 0,6/1,0 kV and with an overall diameter not exceeding 20mm

IEC 60331-3

Tests for electric cables under fire conditions – Circuit integrity – Part 3: Test method for fire with shock at a temperature of at least 830°C for cables of rated voltage up to and including 0,6/1,0 kV tested in a metal enclosure

 

 

Flame retardant standards：

IEC 60332-1-2

Test for vertical flame propagation for a single insulated wire or cable - Procedure for 1 kW pre-mixed flame

IEC 60332-3-22

Test for vertical flame spread of vertical mounted bunched wires or cables - Category A

IEC 60332-3-23

Test for vertical flame spread of vertical mounted bunched wires or cables - Category B

IEC 60332-3-24

Test for vertical flame spread of vertical mounted bunched wires or cables - Category C