English 
français 
Deutsch 
العربية 
tiếng việt 
ไทย 
čeština 
Indonesia 
Eesti 
български 
slovenčina 
Residents, owners and regulatory authorities of buildings are now, more than ever, protected by stringent safety requirements. Electrical installations – particularly fire alarm systems, sprinklers, smoke detection and extraction equipment, emergency lighting and evacuation systems – all merge to prevent harm to people and damage to buildings and equipment.
The wiring behind the systems proves to be an important factor in preventing fires from spreading, and stopping smoke from choking off exit points and allowing a safe rescue.
If the wiring is adversely affected, the systems themselves will have no power to provide their own critical functions.
Stringent tests – including IEC 60331 and BS 6387 – are performed to ensure that such cables are fire-resistant.
Resistance to fire alone
Category A - Cables are under fire at 650°C for 3 hours
Category B - Cables are under fire at 750°C for 3 hours
Category C - Cables are under fire at 950°C for 3 hours
Category S - Cables are under fire at 950°C for 20 min (short duration)
Resistance to fire with water
Category W - Cables are under fire at 650°C for 15 minutes, then at 650°C with water spray for a further 15 minutes.
Resistance to fire with mechanical shock
Category X - Cables are under fire at 650°C with mechanical shock for 15 minutes.
Category Y - Cables are under fire at 750°C with mechanical shock for 15 minutes.
Category Z - Cables are under fire at 950°C with mechanical shock for 15 minutes.
During the test, the cable is mounted on a panel and is shocked with a steel bar at 30-second intervals for 15 minutes while exposed to flame and no fuse shall be ruptured nor any lamp extinguished.
