Often one of the best flame retardant cables are halogenated as a end result of each the insulation and outer Jacket are flame retardant but once we want Halogen Free cables we find it’s typically solely the outer jacket which is flame retardant and the inside insulation isn’t.
This has significance as a result of whereas cables with a flame retardant outer jacket will typically pass flame retardance tests with external flame, the identical cables when subjected to high overload or extended short circuits have proved in university checks to be extremely flammable and can even begin a fire. This effect is thought and published (8th International Conference on Insulated Power Cables (Jicable’11 – June 2011) held in Versailles, France) so it is maybe stunning that there are no frequent check protocols for this seemingly widespread occasion and one cited by both authorities and media as explanation for constructing fires.
Further, in Flame Retardant check methods such as IEC60332 parts 1 & three which make use of an external flame supply, the cable samples aren’t pre-conditioned to regular working temperature but tested at room temperature. This oversight is necessary particularly for energy circuits as a outcome of the temperature index of the cable (the temperature at which the cable materials will self-support combustion in regular air) shall be significantly affected by its beginning temperature i.e.: The hotter the cable is, the more easily it’s going to propagate fire.
It would seem that a want exists to re-evaluate current cable flame retardance check strategies as these are generally understood by consultants and shoppers alike to provide a dependable indication of a cables capacity to retard the propagation of fireside.
If we can’t belief the Standards what will we do?
In the USA many building requirements do not require halogen free cables. Certainly this is not because Americans usually are not properly knowledgeable of the risks; rather the approach taken is that: “It is healthier to have highly flame retardant cables which don’t propagate fire than minimally flame retardant cables which may unfold a fire” – (a small fireplace with some halogen could additionally be higher than a big fireplace with out halogens). One of one of the best methods to make a cable insulation and cable jacket highly flame retardant is through the use of halogens.
Europe and heaps of international locations all over the world adopt a unique mentality: Halogen Free and Flame Retardant. Whilst this is an admirable mandate the fact is quite completely different: Flame propagation checks for cables as adopted in UK and Europe can arguably be mentioned to be less stringent than some of the flame propagation checks for cables in USA leading to the conclusion that common exams in UK and Europe could simply be tests the cables can cross somewhat than exams the cables should move.
Conclusion
For most versatile polymeric cables the selection stays today between excessive flame propagation performance with halogens or reduced flame propagation performance without halogens.
Enclosing cables in metal conduit will scale back propagation at the level of fireplace but hydrocarbon based combustion gasses from decomposing polymers are likely propagate by way of the conduits to switchboards, distribution boards and junction packing containers in different parts of the building. Any spark such because the opening or closing of circuit breakers, or contactors is more likely to ignite the combustible gasses leading to explosion and spreading the fireplace to another location.
While MICC (Mineral Insulated Metal Sheathed) cables would supply a solution, there may be typically no singe excellent answer for each set up so designers need to evaluate the required performance on a “project-by-project” basis to determine which technology is perfect.
The main importance of fire load
Inside all buildings and initiatives electric cables provide the connectivity which keeps lights on, air-conditioning working and the lifts working. It powers computer systems, workplace tools and offers the connection for our phone and computers. Even our mobile phones need to attach with wi-fi or GSM antennas that are connected to the telecom community by fiber optic or copper cables. Cables ensure our security by connecting
fireplace alarms, emergency voice communication, CCTV, smoke shutters, air pressurization fans, emergency lighting, fireplace sprinkler pumps, smoke and heat detectors, and so many other features of a contemporary Building Management System.
Where public security is essential we frequently request cables to have added safety options similar to flame retardance to make sure the cables do not easily spread fire, circuit integrity during hearth in order that essential fire-fighting and life security tools hold working. Sometimes we might recognize that the combustion of electrical cables produces smoke and this could be toxic so we name for cables to be Low Smoke and Halogen Free. Logically and intuitively we predict that by requesting these special properties the cables we buy and set up will be safer
Because cables are put in by many various trades for different purposes and are mostly hidden or embedded in our constructions, what is usually not realized is that the many miles of cables and tons of plastic polymers which make up the cables can represent one of many biggest hearth masses within the building. This point is certainly price pondering extra about.
PVC, XLPE, EPR, CSP, LSOH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) and even HFFR (Halogen Free Flame Retardant) cable materials are mostly based mostly on hydrocarbon polymers. These base materials usually are not typically flame retardant and naturally have a excessive fireplace load. Cable manufacturers make them flame retardant by including compounds and chemical substances. Certainly this improves the volatility of burning however the fuel content of the base polymers stays.
Tables 1 and 2 above evaluate the fireplace load in MJ/Kg for common cable insulating materials in opposition to some widespread fuels. The Heat Release Rate and volatility in air for these supplies will differ but the gas added to a fire per kilogram and the consequential quantity of heat generated and oxygen consumed is relative.
The quantity in kilometers and tons of cables installed in our buildings and the associated fire load of the insulations is appreciable. This is especially important in tasks with lengthy egress instances like excessive rise, public buildings, tunnels and underground environments, airports, hospitals and so on.
When contemplating hearth safety we must first understand crucial components. Fire specialists inform us most fireplace associated deaths in buildings are brought on by smoke inhalation, temperature rise and oxygen depletion or by trauma attributable to jumping in making an attempt to escape these results.
Smoke
The first and most essential side of smoke is how a lot smoke? Typically the bigger the fireplace the extra smoke is generated so anything we can do to minimize back the unfold of fireside may also correspondingly scale back the amount of smoke.
Smoke will comprise particulates of carbon, ash and other solids, liquids and gasses, many are toxic and combustible. In explicit, fires in confined areas like buildings, tunnels and underground environments cause oxygen levels to drop, this contributes to incomplete burning and smoldering which produces elevated amounts of smoke and poisonous byproducts including CO and CO2. Presence of halogenated supplies will release toxic Halides like Hydrogen Chloride along with many other toxic and flammable gasses in the smoke.
For this cause frequent smoke exams performed on cable insulation supplies in giant three meter3 chambers with loads of air can present misleading smoke figures as a end result of full burning will often release significantly less smoke than partial incomplete burning which is likely in follow. Simply specifying IEC 61034 with an outlined obscuration value then pondering it will present a low smoke setting throughout fire may sadly be little of help for the folks really concerned.
Halogens, Toxicity, Fuel Element, Oxygen Depletion and Temperature Rise
It is concerning that Europe and other countries undertake the idea of halogen free supplies with out correctly addressing the topic of toxicity. Halogens released throughout combustion are extraordinarily poisonous however so too is carbon monoxide and this isn’t a halogen fuel. It is widespread to call for halogen free cables and then permit using Polyethylene because it’s halogen free. Burning Polyethylene (which can be seen from the desk above has the very best MJ gasoline load per Kg of all insulations) will generate virtually 3 times extra warmth than an equivalent PVC cable. This means is that burning polyethylene is not going to only generate nearly 3 instances extra heat but also devour almost three instances extra oxygen and produce considerably more carbon monoxide. Given carbon monoxide is liable for most toxicity deaths in fires this example is at greatest alarming!
The fuel components proven in the table above indicate the quantity of heat which will be generated by burning 1kg of the common cable insulations tabled. Certainly this warmth will accelerate the burning of other adjoining supplies and may assist unfold the hearth in a building however importantly, so as to generate the heat power, oxygen needs to be consumed. The larger the heat of combustion the extra oxygen is required, so by choosing insulations with high fuel parts is adding significantly to at least 4 of the primary risks of fires: Temperature Rise, Oxygen Depletion, Flame Spread and Carbon Monoxide Release.
Perhaps it’s best to put in polymeric cables inside metallic conduits. This will certainly help flame unfold and decrease smoke as a end result of contained in the conduit oxygen is restricted; nevertheless this is not an answer. As said previously, many of the gasses from the decomposing polymeric insulations contained in the conduits are highly flammable and toxic. These gases will migrate along the conduits to junction bins, swap panels, distribution boards, motor control centers, lamps, switches, etc. On entering the gases can ignite or explode with any arcing such because the make/break of a circuit breaker, contactor, swap or relay causing the hearth to unfold to another location.
Conclusion
The popularity of “Halogen Free” whereas ignoring the opposite toxic parts of fire is a transparent admission we do not understand the topic properly nor can we simply define the risks of combined toxic parts or human physiological response to them. It is essential however, that we don’t continue to design with solely half an understanding of the issue. While no good resolution exists for organic based mostly cables, we will certainly decrease these critically necessary results of fire risk:
One possibility perhaps to determine on cable insulations and jacket supplies which are halogen free and have a low gasoline component, then install them in steel conduit or possibly the American approach is healthier: to use extremely halogenated insulations in order that in case of fireplace any flame spread is minimized.
For most power, management, communication and data circuits there’s one full answer available for all the problems raised on this paper. pressure gauge ลม is an answer which has been used reliably for over eighty years. MICC cables can provide a total and complete answer to all the problems associated with the fire safety of natural polymer cables.
The copper jacket, magnesium oxide insulation and copper conductors of MICC make certain the cable is successfully hearth proof. MICC cables don’t have any natural content so simply can not propagate flame or generate any smoke. The zero gasoline load ensures no heat is added and no oxygen is consumed.
Being inorganic MICC cables cannot generate any halogen or toxic gasses in any respect together with CO.
Unfortunately many frequent cable hearth test strategies used at present might inadvertently mislead individuals into believing the polymeric versatile cable merchandise they purchase and use will carry out as expected in all fireplace situations. As outlined in this paper, sadly this may not be correct.
For extra data, go to www.temperature-house.com
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