Raise the bar for fire performance, says AEI Cables
Using
fire performance cables which meet and exceed current standards and guidance
can only help to improve safety in critical fire safety situations, says
leading cable supplier AEI Cables.
AEI
Cables has been highlighting the importance of following the technical guidance
for the selection and installation of cables for Category 3 Control fire
performance cables under the revised British Standard BS8519: 2020 Code of
Practice.
The
guidance for Category 3 Control fire performance cables applies to evacuation
alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems
and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings including tall buildings, office
spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia.
Stuart
Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “We are seeing quite an increase in
demand for Category 3 Control cables and we can only stress that if they meet
and exceed all standards requirements this can only help in the interest of
safety of property and lives in these critical spaces.
“Meeting
standards is a minimum requirement but going above and beyond these standards
will help firefighters in a real-life fire situation.”
The
systems powered by these cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems –
assist fire services in firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life
safety. These cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the
event of a real fire.
AEI
Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to
BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control. The BS
Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for
power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30,
60 or 120 minutes.
All
AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals
from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB. It also holds approvals from
organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and works to
international standards around the world. For more information see the AEI
Cables website, tel 0191
410 3111 or email sales@aeicables.co.uk.