Understanding Fire Alarm Cables
Fire alarm cables are a specific group of cables for fire alarm systems that protect a building from emergencies linked to fire by issuing a warning. There are several subtypes of fire alarm cables on the market. This guide by a wire and cable marketplace platform Nassau National Cable overviews the main distinctions between these types. Fire alarm cables are commonly installed in buildings where fire alarm systems are prevalent, such as apartment buildings, commercial buildings, offices, schools, universities, and hospitals.
Groups Of Fire Alarm Cables: Power-Limited vs. Non-Power Limited
The two groups of fire alarm cables on the market are power-limited fire alarm cables and non-power limited alarm cables. The difference between the two is that they comply with the different regulations found in the National Electrical Code. Non-power limited cables correspond with the articles 760–21 and 760–23 of NEC, whereas the applications of power-limited fire alarm cables are found in sections 760–41. Basically, this indicates that power-limited fire alarm cables are used in the circuits that are specified as power-limited. In contrast, non-power limited cables are used for all other circuits.
Types of Power-Limited Fire Alarm Cables
Here are the common types of power-limited fire alarm cables:
FPL is a general fire alarm cable. This is a non-plenum cable, which means that it is installed in areas that are not air-circulating, such as surface wiring. It is not meant for risers or ducts unless installed in conduit. Like all fire alarm cables, these are flame-retardant, but their fire-resistant properties are less pronounced than plenum and riser cables. The UL standards that correspond to this particular type of cable are UL 1424 and UL 1581.
FPLR is a riser-rated fire alarm cable. This means that it could be vertically installed in floor-to-floor installations in the building. This cable has superior fire resistance because its goal is to prevent fire spread between multiple floors in a building. The cables can be shielded and unshielded, with the former preventing electromagnetic interference. These cables pass UL 1244 and 1666 standards of fire spread prevention.
FPLP is a plenum power-limited fire-alarm cable. This means that it could be safely installed in the plenum parts of the building where air circulation occurs. It is a low-smoke zero-halogen cable that has the highest rate of flame-retardancy among all fire-alarm cables. For this reason, this is also the most expensive fire alarm cable. These cables also come in shielded and unshielded varieties. Moreover, these cables also pass UL 1244 and 1666 standards of fire spread prevention.
Types of Non-Power-Limited Fire Alarm Cables
NPLF is a non-plenum non-power limited cable used for general applications not related to floor-to-floor and air circulation applications. The corresponding flame tests are UL 1424 and UL 1581.
NPLFP is a plenum non-power limited cables for plenums and ducts. Just like its power-limited counterpart, this is a cable that is the most flame-retardant one. The flame tests met by these variations of the cable are UL 1424 and UL 910.
While the name of the cable indicates its flame-retardant and smoke-preventive properties, the final result can be predicted only by judging the specific properties of the cable listed by the manufacturer. The essential characteristics of fire alarm cables are their flame-retardancy, ability to resist fire, and ability to withstand and prevent smoke.
Decided on which fire alarm cable is the best for your application? Nassau National Cable carries a collection of high-quality fire alarm cables of all types from the best manufacturers at some of the best prices in the wire and cable industry.
