T
hese fire engineered solutions are becoming
increasingly commonplace globally, requiring
a secure power supply that will retain its
integrity in the event of fire. This is particularly so
in the UK, following the introduction of the Regu-
latory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. Additionally,
Clause 5.38 of the new Approved Document B
(Fire safety) 2006 of the Building Regulations for
England and Wales recognises that it is essential
that the power circuits continue to function. It
requires "sufficiently robust cables" to be used
"where it is critical for electrical circuits to be able
to continue to function during a fire". This impacts
on fire safety systems including: automatic fire
suppression installations; fire detection and alarm
systems; fire compartmentation; smoke control
and ventilation; sprinklers and wet risers; ventila-
tion and shutters; and firefighting lifts.
Draka's new Firetuf Powerplus provides this
enhanced circuit integrity performance and meets
the demanding requirements of BS 7346-6:2005
[Components for smoke and heat control systems:
specifications for cable systems]. It utilises high-
performance materials to achieve the maximum
120-minute rating when subjected to integrated
testing involving flame irradiation exposure, direct
impact and high-pressure water spray. These tests
were originally part of BS 7346. Recently though
they have been published as a stand-alone stan-
dard, as BS 8491:2008 [Method for assessment of
fire integrity of large diameter power cables for
use as components for smoke and heat control
systems and certain other active fire safety
systems].
The enhanced circuit integrity of the new
cable preserves the handling and installation
characteristics of the wire armoured design. It is a
development of Draka's Firetuf Power cable
that was introduced to meet the requirements of
BS 7846:2000 [Electric cables: 600/1000 V
armoured fire-resistant cables having thermosetting
insulation and low emission of smoke and corrosive
gases when affected by fire]. Firetuf Powerplus is
LPCB [Loss Prevention Certification Board] third-
party approved and is available in two, three and
four-core options with nominal conductor areas
spanning from 10mm2 to 400mm2.
Firetuf Powerplus is ideal for what Approved
Document B describes as: "large or complex build-
ings where there may be fire protection systems
that need to operate for an extended period dur-
ing a fire". Further guidance on the selection of
cable for such systems is given in: BS 5839-1:2002
[Fire detection and fire alarm systems for
buildings. Code of practice for system design,
installation, commissioning and maintenance];
BS 5266-1:2005 [Emergency lighting. Code of
practice for the emergency lighting of premises];
and BS 7346-6:2005.
In the past, this requirement for a higher perfor-
mance standard was met using mineral insulated
cables that incorporate insulation of highly-com-
pressed Magnesium Oxide. While certainly a
robust and durable solution, the cables' high
material cost and the difficulty and expense of
forming cable terminations has seen a decline in
their use. While there are at least two options
to mineral insulated cable now available on the
market capable of satisfying this demand,
currently Draka's Firetuf Powerplus is believed to
be the only one that is third-party approved.
The importance of this third-party accreditation
by such organisations as BASEC [British Approvals
Service for Cables] or LPCB is that it is the only
way in which specifiers and installers can be sure
that the cable being supplied is to the standard
being claimed for it. A cable marked with just a BS
or EU number should be treated with extreme
caution, as it is quite possible that no-one has inde-
pendently verified the manufacturer's claim. IFP
10 INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
PROFILE
Draka unveils
new armoured
power cable
Draka has unveiled a new 600/1000V SWA [Steel Wired Armoured] enhanced-
performance power cable. It provides the superior characteristics required by
today's sophisticated fire engineering solutions and the more widespread
utilisation of fire engineering principles and techniques that call for greater
reliance on complex life and property protection systems and protocols.
Full details on Draka's Firetuf
Powerplus are available by
telephone on +44 (0) 1332
345431, by fax on +44 (0)
1332 331237, and via email
at firetuf@draka.com. The
company's website can be
found at www.drakauk.com

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