Cable Fire Performance Testing BS 8491

BS 8491, 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 Standard- BS 8491:2008(R2015) describes a method for assessment of the fire integrity of large diameter power cable for use as components for smoke and heat control systems as given in BS 7346-6, and certain other active fire safety systems. It is applicable to cables of rated voltage not exceeding 600/1000V and of overall diameter greater than 20mm

When cables burn, they may produce significant volumes of heat, smoke, toxic or corrosive fumes and falling flaming materials, known as burning droplets.

They need some tests, for example:

Reaction to fire tests – Measuring how a cable reacts when exposed to fire

• IEC 60332-3 – Vertical flame spread on bunched cables

• IEC 60332-1 – Vertical flame propagation on a single cable or insulated wire

• IEC 60754-1&-2 –the halogen acid gas content and acidity (by pH measurement) and conductivity on cable

Fire resistance tests – Evaluating cables’ circuit integrity during a fire

• Demonstrate various real-life scenarios by including tests for fire alone, fire with water, fire with mechanical shock and fire with both mechanical shock and water.

• For example, fire alarm cables need to be fire-resistant. If a fire alarm specifies an unsuitable cable for installation, the unsuitable product may burn and degrade.

We provide cable fire resistance test equipment with various test standards. If you are intereted, welcome to contact us!