• • • CABLING & CABLE MANAGEMENT • • •
Decision makers puzzled by Category 3 Control fire performance cables
A range of customers in the supply chain are often confused when it comes to the selection of the correct cabling for many critical applications, says Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables
T
he company has been communicating the dangers of not 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. We are getting a consistent stream of queries about the selection of these cables from those responsible for the selection and installation of these cables. We are happy to provide technical guidance and advice.
The issue of the correct selection of these cables has been an ongoing issue for those in the supply chain for some time. We can’t emphasise enough how important it is to get the selection of cables right for these applications. If these systems fail because the cable is not able to function properly then the consequences are apparent. Lives and property are at stake here. Category 3 Control fire performance cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire.
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. Category 3 Control fire performance cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire. To date, the awareness campaign by AEI Cables has received support from MP Sharon Hodgson and industry bodies including Electrical Safety First and fire safety membership body The Institution of Fire Prevention Officers (IFPO).
The applications of 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.
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. 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.
Use only approved cables to meet the new Building Safety Act
AEI Cables has sent a message to those making decisions about fire safety cabling under the new Building Safety Act 2022, which comes into force in October. From October 2023, buildings of at least 18 metres in height or with at least seven storeys containing at least two residential units will be deemed ‘high risk buildings’ and must be registered with the newly established Building Safety Regulator.
The registration must be made by the organisation or person who owns or has responsibility for the building referred to as the Principal Accountable Person.
Principal Accountable Persons could include housing associations, property management companies or individual managers or asset owners. A Principal Accountable Person who fails to register an occupied higher-risk building without a ‘reasonable excuse’ will be liable to either a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
Mr Dover said: “Those who are deemed to be
the Principal Accountable Person should recognise their responsibilities. There can be no compromise when it comes to the selection of cables for fire safety and they should always
meet the legal requirement. If in doubt, they should always check the relevant level of performance required. “Ultimately, we are talking about the threat to lives and property if the products installed in these tall buildings are not fit for purpose.” The Principal Accountable Person must have assessed all building safety risks and taken all reasonable steps to control them, give the safety case report to the Regulator on request and apply for a building assessment certificate.
14 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • SEPTEMBER 2023
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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