DATA CENTRES & CABLE MANAGEMENT
The burning issue of fire rating for cable management
The fundamental issue of fire safety can get complicated when it comes to building design, in part because there is no single British standard that applies to cable management in relation to fire rating. In this article, Mark Williams, lead marketing manager at Legrand UK & Ireland, explores this issue and recommends ways that designers and engineers can take a proactive approach to fire safety in relation to cable management systems
T
he Grenfell disaster has been a catalyst for changes in the regulatory landscape since it occurred in 2017. As a result, Legrand’s cable management team is often asked about the fire rating of our products,
and it is increasingly clear that there is a need for those involved in building design and engineering to understand requirements regarding fire safety. Navigating building regulations and legal
requirements is rarely a straight-forward process. Fire safety regulations currently in place show the milestones on the county’s pathway towards fire safety, many of them marking a tragedy unlikely to be repeated thanks to changes that came in response. Progress in this area has been vital to safety though many in the industry would likely benefit from increased clarity. Because of the potential for confusion, it is necessary for building services professionals to have a proactive approach to fire safety and ensures that cable management systems are tested to as high a standard as possible. For those building service professionals involved in cable management systems, it is important to have a thorough understanding of fire safety and the implications that product selection can have on a construction project.
Proving performance
From a manufacturer’s perspective, it is of growing importance that we can prove the performance of our products in a fire situation, despite the lack of standards or legal obligations to cable management products. By manufacturers showing evidence of their products’ capabilities in a fire, it is easier to provide peace of mind to all stakeholders. Without a British Standard in place, it can be beneficial to look further afield for a benchmark against which products can be assessed. Looking to Germany, there is a standard for
testing circuit integrity cables that allows cable management manufacturers to fire test their products in a true to life installation. The DIN4102-12 standard used in Germany subjects cable management systems and other building components to a fire for in excess of 90 minutes and that reaches a temperature of up to 1,000°C by the test’s conclusion.
Examples of solutions that have been shown to withstand fire, having been tested under DIN 4102-12 test condition, includes Legrand’s Swifts cable trays and ladders, as well as Salamandre distribution trunking.
Assuming that the cable management pathway is being used in the UK, it is still of utmost importance to ensure that the methodology and directions of UK standards
are strictly followed. If a customer, facilities manager, or other interested party requires evidence that the cable management solution in place have been sufficiently fire tested, it can be beneficial to specify solutions that have been tested to the DIN 4102-12 standard for the additional peace of mind this extra testing allows. To fully explain the importance of fire rating, the testing methods, and the need to look outside the UK for a workable standard, it is important that building services professionals involved in electrical systems stay up to date with relevant training opportunities.
Staying ahead
In support of industry professionals, Legrand has created a host of resources, available for free, to encourage best practice. This includes its Creating Cable Pathways guide, which explains how to ensure cable management will not contribute to the spread of fire or premature collapse, and the Fire Safety and Cable Management white paper. There are also several CPDs on fire safety that further cover cable pathways, compliance and containment, which can all be completed for free through Legrand’s Training Academy. The recently launched Premature collapse and
fire rated containment seminar is also included in the available CPD portfolio and explores the current UK standards landscape that applies to cable management systems. The CPD can be undertaken virtually or at Legrand’s training facilities in London or Birmingham, and covers fire prevention, construction product regulations and wiring regulations. By undertaking CPDs such as these, electricians can establish a strong understanding of fire safety and what is needed to ensure risk is minimised. Regulation changes are often driven by tragedy. In order to avoid similar incidents in the future, the industry should shift away from working on a reactive basis and move towards proactively finding ways of safeguarding our buildings and their occupiers. It is crucial that building services professionals are forward thinking when it comes to fire safety and take the time needed to understand the solutions available, what standards they are tested to, and why. Engaging in training from specialists such as those at Legrand can put those involved in building services design and engineering in an advantageous position, better able to inform their customers, strengthening professional relationships, providing a higher quality of service, and – most importantly – keeping building inhabitants safe.
16 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER MARCH 2024 Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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