FIRE PROTECTION OF CABLES AND CABLE LINES

Cable penetrations are the most important paths for fire spread inside a building. According to approved regulatory documents and rules, requirements are established that ensure the fire protection of cable lines. If, during the routing of cable penetrations, the materials and installations used do not meet the requirements of state standards and codes, fire-protection measures for cables and cable lines must be carried out.

Why fire protection of cable penetrations is necessary

Fire protection of cable trays is carried out to ensure the implementation of a set of procedures to prevent fire spread along cable lines. The regulatory documents governing the fire protection of cable lines are RD 153-34.0-20.262-2002 "Rules for the application of fire-protective cable coatings at power enterprises" and Federal Law No. 123 "Technical regulation on fire-safety rules".

Types of cable fire protection

Cable lines laid along evacuation routes or passing through fire barriers are subject to fire protection.

The purpose of fire protection of cable penetrations is to preserve the operability of cable installations in the event of a fire in buildings. If certain requirements exist, installing transit cable penetrations without ensuring the required operability in the event of a fire is prohibited.

It can be concluded that the fire protection of cables and cable lines should be classified as protection of the utilities that ensure the resistance of the building's and structure's systems to fire and prevent its spread over the surface.

What happens to a protected cable in a fire

For fire protection of cable penetrations and cable lines, it is necessary to choose solutions that will remain effective even in aggressive environments. The material for fire-protective treatment of cables and cable penetrations must not contain aggressive or toxic components. Using fire-protective treatment for cables increases their ignition time in a fire, reduces or eliminates flame spread over the cable surface, and reduces smoke generation. In the event of a fire the cable must not ignite, thereby retaining its functional properties. Fire protection of cable penetrations can ensure the safety of communications or computer networks in an emergency.

Fire-protection methods

Today there are various ways to protect cable trays, among which the following can be identified:

• The use of fire-resistant cable trunking made of fire-protective boards. Thanks to them, cable penetrations are protected from fire in the event of a fire. This method of protecting cable trays is the most reliable.
• The second method of fire protection of cable penetrations is the use of special thin-layer fire-protective coatings for cable penetrations, applied to the lines after installation. This method of cable fire protection is considered the most effective and economical.