How to Distinguish Between Flame Resistant Cable and Flame Retardant Cables?

Fire protection cables refer to cables with fire-resistant properties, generally divided into two categories: flame retardant cables and flame resistant cable. Many people struggle to differentiate between the two. This article will help you understand the distinctions.

Conceptual Difference

Flame Retardant Cables

A flame retardant cable is primarily characterized by its resistance to ignition and its ability to suppress the spread of flames. When exposed to open flames, the flame retardant cable uses its inherent flame-retardant materials and structural design to self-extinguish the flame within a certain range, preventing the fire from rapidly spreading along the cable lines and triggering a larger fire. These cables typically feature markings such as "ZR" or "Flame Retardant". Additionally, depending on the flame retardant grade, the marking may include symbols like "ZR-A," "ZR-B," or "ZR-C," representing different levels of flame retardancy.

Flame Resistant Cable

A flame resistant cable is designed to maintain normal operation for a certain period during a fire, i.e., it ensures the integrity of the circuit. It possesses high fire resistance, providing reliable power transmission for critical circuits such as fire safety equipment during a fire, ensuring that these circuits continue to function for a specific time to allow personnel evacuation and firefighting efforts. Flame resistant cable typically bears clear markings such as "NH" or "Fire Rated," along with relevant standard numbers and certification marks, indicating compliance with flame resistant cable standards.

Performance Differences

Flame Retardant Cable

Flame retardant cables maintain the electrical and physical properties of regular cables while having self-extinguishing capabilities. They are either non-combustible or will self-extinguish after being ignited by an external source of fire. The fire duration is short (within 60 minutes), or the flame propagation distance is minimal. Flame retardant cables stop working quickly during a fire. Their function is to resist ignition and prevent the fire from spreading, while not continuing to burn after being extinguished.

Flame Resistant Cable

Flame resistant cable can continue to operate (transmitting power and signals) during a fire, maintaining their functionality even at temperatures of 750-800°C for up to 180 minutes. Test results show that flame resistant cable can remain fully operational for up to 2 hours when exposed to flames between 800-900°C and remain undamaged and operational for 30 minutes at 1000°C. The normal working temperature of these cables is around 250°C, ensuring safe and reliable operation.

Key Differences Between Flame Resistant and Flame Retardant Cables

The primary distinction is that flame resistant cable can maintain power supply for a certain time during a fire, while flame retardant cables do not have this capability. This feature makes flame resistant cable crucial in modern urban and industrial buildings. In the event of a fire, circuits for control, monitoring, guiding, and alarm systems must remain operational. Therefore, flame resistant cable is commonly used for emergency power supply to fire protection equipment, fire alarm systems, ventilation and smoke exhaust systems, evacuation lights, emergency power outlets, emergency elevators, etc.

For fire propagation prevention → choose flame retardant cables.
For maintaining power supply during a fire → choose flame resistant cable.
For both requirements → choose a "flame retardant and flame resistant cable" (e.g., ZR-NH-YJV).

In practice, both types of cables may be used together (e.g., flame retardant cables are installed in riser shafts of high-rise buildings, while flame resistant cable is used for fire safety circuits). When purchasing, it's essential to verify product certification (such as CCC, UL) and specific standard parameters.