• • • CABLES • • •
NO COMPROMISE ON QUALITY AND SAFETY DESPITE CHALLENGES, SAYS AEI CABLES
the revised British Standard BS8519: 2020 Code of Practice.
BY STUART DOVER, VICE PRESIDENT, AEI CABLES
ncreasing legislative requirements, challenging trading conditions and skills shortages means the quality and safety of safe cabling could be compromised without all due diligence. Here, Stuart Dover looks at the challenges and why the quality of cabling cannot be compromised. There are a number of pressing issues facing the electrical supply chain. Not least the new legislation that has been introduced, the economic environment for trading and the worsening skills gap. However, we should not lose sight of the paramount importance of safety for everyone concerned including those moving about in these buildings and spaces.
I One particular issue is ensuring the use of
the correct cabling for each application. We are highlighting the need for the use of Category 3 fire performance cables at the upper end of requirements, even at this challenging time for the industry. These cables are designed to withstand heat and flames for up to 120 minutes, helping to protect equipment, property and even lives. Despite the challenges of cost, supply and installation, the safety these cables bring cannot be underestimated, supporting critical safety circuits in tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia. Within the range of fire performance cables, Category 3 Control fire performance cables are critical, not least because the systems powered by these cables assist fire services in firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life safety. We have seen the growth in the demand for these cables ever since the introduction of
The type of building where these cables must be used are those deemed higher risk under BS8519: 2020 that are at least 18 metres in height or seven storeys, also referenced under the Building Safety Act 2022.
Lives and property are at stake These regulations were brought in to add a further level of safety in the supply of power to applications such as evacuation alarms for care homes and smoke and heat extraction systems for other large spaces used by large numbers of people. Lives and property are at stake here. With the correct choice of cabling, people moving about in these buildings can rely on power supplies for firefighting should it be necessary.
Building managers and owners can be
assured that they have met all requirements to meet compliance of power supply in the event of a real fire. These cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire. To ensure electrical systems are not
compromised, including all its components and installation methods, it is essential to subject them to joint testing and certification and ensure that the whole system complies with the relevant Codes. The 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. Category 1 fire performance cables guarantee 30 minutes of defence against flames, making them ideal for emergency lighting, while Category 2 cables give 60 minutes of fire protection and are commonly used for alarm systems.
30 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • FEBRUARY 2026
Fire performance cables For firefighting, additional time is required and Category 3 cables are able to withstand up to 120 minutes of exposure to fire, providing enhanced emergency power to assist firefighters.
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. Under the Building Safety Act 2022,
residents in high-rise buildings will have more say in how their building is kept safe and will be able to raise building safety concerns directly to the owners and managers of their buildings, known as accountable persons. The accountable person(s) will have a duty to listen to them.
Dutyholders such as the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor will be required to manage building safety risks, with clear lines of responsibility during the design, construction and completion of all buildings. 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
https://www.aeicables.co.uk electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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