Fireproof cables are essential to the safety of any installation in the event of a fire.
Besides all the essential characteristics they need to have to minimise standard risks during operation, it is also very important for them to react appropriately if a fire breaks out so they can slow the spread of flames and ensure that emergency systems remain in operation.
The insulation of fireproof cables is key to achieving these results but is not the only factor that should be considered. These cables need to offer numerous other highly important characteristics.
The Characteristics of Fireproof Cables
A cable is considered fireproof when its composition is capable of stopping the spread of fire. To be more precise, cables are included in this category when flames cannot spread along them.
The type of insulation used is paramount in achieving this resistance, which is why such materials as PVC, polyolefin, silicone or XLPE are chosen for these cables.
One of the difficulties in designing a fireproof cable lies in the fact that smoke with high concentrations of hydrochloric acid, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide is produced when a fire burns a cable. This smoke is highly toxic for anyone in the vicinity.
To overcome this obstacle and avoid posing a health risk, fireproof cables are designed with no halogens so as to minimise the production of this smoke and its concentration of toxic gases.
If a cable produces hydrogen halide gas and that gas reacts with any moisture in the air, hydrogen halide acid is produced capable of affecting all sorts of equipment and instruments. It is therefore important to reduce cable corrosiveness in the event of a fire.
The design of minimally corrosive cables helps to keep all the connected equipment safe in the event of a fire.
The high safety cables (AS) from Sumcab offer these properties, meaning that their installation also guarantees protection from the aforementioned factors. Nonetheless, the manufacturing and installation of fireproof cables is not always undertaken in the same way. Differences will exist depending on the number of cables, the location where they are installed and even the conditions in the workspace where they will exist.
For installations that require fewer cables, opting to add a fireproof sheath to existing cables is a perfectly acceptable option, as is the installation of fireproof tubing to house the cables.
If the installation requires a larger number of cables, a fire-resistant channelling conduit is a good option.
In places with high temperatures or hazardous materials, cables with non-combustible mineral insulation tend to be used.
Fire-resistant Cables
For fire protection, you might also consider the use of cables that are as fire-resistant as possible.
When talking about fire-resistant cables, we refer to those that can continue to operate for a time even when being impacted by flames.
Power supply lines or emergency installation control lines use this type of cable to ensure continued operation even in the event of a fire.
The problem lies in that a standard fireproof cable is not initially designed for this purpose. This type of cables is mainly intended to minimise the spread of flames as much as possible. To achieve that fire resistance, the cable must therefore include certain materials in its composition and offer some very specific characteristics, which are defined in UNE 211025 standards.
At Sumcab, we offer this type of fire-resistant cables and include them in our AS+ cable range. These cables have the same characteristics as our AS cables but with the additional property of resistance in the event of a fire.
The Importance of Fireproof Cables
The installation of fireproof cables has a somewhat higher cost than conventional cables given that their special characteristics require more insulation or coating material to ensure those fire-resistant advantages.
However, they are essential elements for the safety of any installation, whether that be in a private home, at a company or in any infrastructure where people gather.
It should be noted that fireproof cables not only help to slow the spread of flames and, by extension, the fire itself, but are also important in ensuring that anyone in the building or space has more time to evacuate.d
These cables are halogen-free, offer low corrosiveness and even reduced smoke opacity. Besides helping people evacuate the area, they greatly facilitate the work undertaken by emergency teams when tackling a fire.
Besides the protection that fire-resistant cables need to provide, it is important they can continue operating so that certain emergency systems remain active in any situation.
Cables from Sumcab for Protection against Fire
At Sumcab, we have special fireproof cables for protection against fire. The following can be found in the Sumline range:
These are flexible shielded cables that have been especially designed for firefighting and alarm systems. The AS+ cable offers the additional advantage of resistance to fire, thereby ensuring the integrity of essential services.
Other Fire Protection Cables from Sumcab
Besides the fireproof cables in the Sumline range, we also have a number of models in the Sumsave range:
Which fireproof cable is best for me? We highly recommend getting some specialised advice like that which we can offer at Sumcab. We can study the project and installation site to offer you the right solution to suit your needs. Get in touch with us and our professionals will be glad to help you.
