Fire Survival Cables Explained

 


Most high-risk infrastructures, including hospitals, schools, power plants, and other industrial facilities, incorporate fire survival cables (FS cables) to ensure the electrical power supply continues when a fire event occurs.

This is necessary as FS cables allow functioning of critical equipment such as fire alarms, evacuation systems, and emergency lighting.

Let's explore the basics of fire survival cables.

What Are Fire Survival Cables?

  • Definition: Fire survival cables are made of materials that are highly resistant to heat and flames. Such cable design helps them maintain electrical integrity when exposed to extreme temperatures.
  • Primary purpose: To curb the failure of electrical systems that can result in severe consequences, helping in both damage control as well as safe evacuation.
  • Construction: FS cables are constructed with special mineral insulation or ceramic compounds. These materials provide them high resistance to fire/heat. Moreover, FS cables also come with a coating of fire-retardant material to stop the spread of flames.

Generic Design of a FS cable

Conductor: The conductor is the core part of the cable, typically made from copper or aluminum. For FS cables, copper is used because it has a higher melting point (1085°C) compared to aluminum.

Two layers of mica tape:

  • The first layer is wrapped around the conductor in one direction, adding extra insulation and fire resistance with its ability to withstand temperatures between 1200°C and 1300°C.
  • The second layer of mica tape is wrapped in the opposite direction, creating a crisscross pattern. This cross-hatching helps prevent the conductor from cracking or breaking under pressure.
  • Insulation: This insulation layer, known as inner sheath, typically made of poly vinyl chloride provides thermal protection and heat resistance.
  • Armor layer: This layer mechanically protects the cable. It is made of metal, primarily galvanized steel wire or strip.
  • Sheathing layer: This layer is the outermost layer of the cable. It is composed of fire resistant low smoke zero halogen poly vinyl chloride which helps in slowing down the spread of fire.

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