FIRE RESISTANT - CIRCUIT INTEGRITY CABLES

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This White Paper has been developed following questions from members of the FIA concerning the performance of optical fibre cables which are advertised as being fire resistant. The principal issue is a lack of understanding of the conditions under which the specified transmission performance is delivered. For example, if a cable is advertised as being a fire resistant “Category OM3” cable, then when is OM3 performance delivered – before or during the fire? In almost all cases, it will only provide OM3 performance before the fire – and not during the fire.

The standards for testing of “fire resistant”, more correctly termed “circuit integrity”, cables allow a specified deterioration under certain fire conditions. Unfortunately some users do not realise this and expect the quoted transmission performance to be delivered under real fire scenarios. This can lead to contractual issues for FIA members supplying and installing such cables.

This White Paper seeks to clarify the situation, provide advice to members and is applicable to balanced as well as optical fibre cables.