The surge in demand for Category 3 Control fire performance cables used in critical situations can only help to meet safety compliance requirements, says pioneering cable supplier AEI Cables.
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.
Selection and installation of cables
AEI Cables has been highlighting the importance of 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 Code of Practice. These cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire.
Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “We are seeing quite an increase in demand for Category 3 Control cables and perhaps the information to use these cables for a specific safety reason is getting through to the supply chain."
Guidance for Category 3 Control fire performance
The guidance for Category 3 Control fire cables applies to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes
Dover added: “There can be no compromise when it comes to the selection of cables for these critical applications. We offer our comprehensive range of Category 3 Control backed up with our technical support and guidance for these specific uses.”
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 including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia.
AEI Cables’ products
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 organizations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and works to international standards around the world.
