Construction Products Regulations apply to all power, data, and communications cables that are part of permanent installations as of July 1, 2017. (CPR). This wiring regulation became effective and contained numerous major revisions to fire safety requirements.
When tested to the applicable range of tests (for the classification sought) with regards to the product’s reaction to fire, one of the requirements is that cable products must comply with and meet the boundary levels to achieve a fire performance classification. CPR applies to all cable makers, importers, and distributors providing European markets with any cable product designed to be permanently installed in a building’s structure, such as power distribution, final circuit wiring, control and instrumentation, and data communications connections (copper and optical).
New requirements for applications are evolving as cable technology evolves. As a result, specialised compounds used in cable products must undergo a variety of tests to determine how they will perform in situations where stressors, such as excessive temperatures, may impair their operation.
What are the points to consider when choosing a flexible power cable?
Specifiers should exercise caution when choosing items to reduce potential risks. It is critical to keep in mind the materials used in the overall construction of the project, as well as the individual cable products to be placed in the construction of a public building or residence. Because cable systems are the optimum vehicle for fast transporting fire across a building once it has been ignited, particular consideration must be given to cable systems during the specification stages of any given project.
Insist on choosing cable items that have a high fire resistance rating.
Specifiers should double-check that the cable used in their projects will provide suitable fire protection. Some cable products may be advertised as having excellent fire resistance, however they may not function well in enclosed settings, such as those found in many public buildings. When comparing Low Smoke and Fume (LSF) and Low Smoke Halogen Free (LSHF) cable products, this requirement is especially essential because they behave differently when burned. When burned, LSHF wire products are engineered to emit minimal smoke and smells. When compared to LSF cable goods, which emit harmful fumes when burned due to the use of PVC compounds in their fabrication.
Specify Fire Cable products that meet or exceed regulatory criteria.
To guarantee that hazards are minimised, every effort should be taken to use high-quality cable goods. Even when cable products comply with regulations, the standard’s relevancy is critical; just stating a test for a cable product does not guarantee that it will be adequate for the intended purpose. This is especially true in the case of CPR, where a cable’s classification is determined by how well it functions in a fire. The Fca classification is determined by the product’s resistance to a single flame. Specificing cable products that meet or exceed the minimum pass standards, attaining higher classes than the minimum, ensuring that the materials used will give superior levels of protection.
Request fire cable products that have been rigorously tested and approved by a third-party
certification body. Requesting cable products that have been rigorously tested and approved by a third-party certification body, ensures that they meet recognised industry standards and provide the highest levels of product quality and safety. Because cable goods may be suitable for use in some settings but not others, they should always be checked for performance using a variety of tests.
A cable, for example, may have enough fire resistance yet is prone to bending or breaking when stretched. Because damage to the cable as a result of an exposed or broken conductor could result in a subsequent fire, the second characteristic provides just as much of a safety risk as the first. Secondary fires can occur as a result of an electrical spark, or the cable could simply stop working in a critical situation, preventing fire alarms and equipment from working once the fire has begun.
A greater understanding of how flexible power cable products behave in the event of a fire.
Increasing public awareness of cable fire performance guarantees that the quality and safety of cable products installed in public buildings are taken into account during the specification process. Because cable quality is often taken for granted, raising awareness of the potential dangers of cable products in the case of a fire guarantees that more people are aware of the dangers. Individuals and organisations can then demand that classified and conforming products be used in order to ensure optimal safety. Not only does this provide assurance of quality to end users and others involved in the project’s delivery, but it also gives residents piece of mind that the cable products put in their homes satisfy the highest levels of quality and safety, as well as industry requirements.
Encourage manufacturers, distributors, specifiers, consultants, architects, buyers, and installers to communicate with one another.
Specification decisions are far too easy to make in isolation. Encouraging communication among all members of the project delivery team guarantees that technical knowledge is easily shared and that the whole supply chain is aware of the consequences. Prioritizing this communication can help you save time during the construction process by allowing you to specify the cable items you’ll need before you start building. This enables for debates and concerns to be raised before they arise, and product changes can be made through the supplier or manufacturer to guarantee that the proper product, for the right application, arrives on time and building can begin.
Verifying the quality of construction materials
It’s one thing to declare that cable goods fulfil industry requirements; it’s quite another to demonstrate their quality and give the end-to-end supply chain confidence that the products will be safe to use and function as intended.
Znergy cables verify that authorised cables are fully compliant with all applicable standards, as well as being safe, dependable, and suitable for purpose. Australian cable manufacturers demonstrates full support for safe and compliant electrical installations in any industry application by providing a dedicated and state-of-the-art large-scale vertical ladder fire test facility to deliver fire testing in compliance with CPR and all vertical ladder tests relating to IEC 60332-3-21/25.
znergy cables check their levels of quality and safety by assessing their procurement and handling processes involved in the sourcing and sale of cable products. Testing cable at the manufacturing source, as part of Australian cable manufacturers traditional certification scheme, which is designed to deliver a 3-year programme of auditing and product testing in order to obtain product specific approvals, combined with testing at the point of sale, ensures tighter end-to-end compliance with industry standards. Testing items before they reach the end user market makes it easier to maintain product quality and monitor them in the market.
How do I choose the right Flexible Power Cable and fire cable?
The quality of all materials used in the construction of a building has an impact on the safety of residents. Quality cable products must be installed throughout a building to guarantee that cable exhibits effective fire resistance and that any risk to life posed by cable products is minimised. Poor-quality cable products pose a larger danger because non-authorized products can behave differently than allowed products, causing fires to spread quicker and generate more smoke, gas, or heat, all of which can exacerbate the effects of a fire.
However, specifying high-quality cable goods is not a simple answer for ensuring safety. The Grenfell Tower tragedy was largely caused by ignorance, indifference, and a lack of regulation in the overall construction of the building. As a result, educating the construction industry is just as critical as ensuring that any fire danger to building occupants is minimised.
Znergy Cable goods should be specified to ensure trust in the performance of the cable products chosen and installed in residential structures. Only when cable goods have been carefully tested to fulfil the required industry recognised criteria is the seal of independently authorised quality and safety issued. End customers can rest easy knowing that the goods they’ve installed are safe and compliant. A complete testing schedule for electrical, mechanical, material, chemical, fire, and smoke performance parameters is included in Australian Cable Manufacturers approval.