AEI Cables – Risks of not using approved cabling

The cost of not using approved cabling in signal and control equipment for fire safety is being highlighted by cabling pioneer AEI Cables.

The company is bringing an industry-wide campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of not using approved cabling as specified under the revised version of BS8519, the Code of Practice for Category 3 fire performance cables.

Heat extraction systems
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.

The applications of Category 3 Control fire performance cables also apply 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.

Professional fire safety

Stuart Dover, General Manager of AEI Cables, said: “If these systems fail because the cable is not able to function properly then the consequences are apparent. Lives and property are at stake here. Category 3 Control fire performance cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire.”

“We have seen a lot of support for our message and our customers are seeing the peace of mind of installing approved cables which provide continuity of power for these systems.” The wider fire safety industry and professionals have also welcomed the message including the professional fire safety membership body the Institution of Fire Prevention Officers (IFPO).

Fire survival time
AEI Cables is the only supplier in the UK with independent approval from LPCB for BS8519 Category 3 Control fire performance cables with a fire survival time of up to 120 minutes. 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 organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail, and LUL and works to international standards around the world.

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