Stay focused on fire performance guidance, says AEI Cables
Cables
leader AEI Cables is warning the supply chain not to forget the important
implications in the guidance on Category 3 Control fire performance cables
amongst the range of new legislation being introduced in the interests of
safety.
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.
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. These cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in
the event of a real fire.
Stuart
Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “We are advising the supply chain
not to forget the process and check for selection of cables through this Code
of Practice to ensure they are compliant. There is a lot of new legislation
emerging currently and this is an important part of this step change to improve
governance around the selection of cables for these important applications.”
The new Code
is intended to inform and guide designers, contractors, fire engineers,
regulators and enforcers including building control bodies, fire authorities,
Health and Safety inspectors and equipment suppliers and manufacturers.
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.
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.