Often the most effective flame retardant cables are halogenated as a end result of each the insulation and outer Jacket are flame retardant but after we need Halogen Free cables we discover it’s usually solely the outer jacket which is flame retardant and the inner insulation just isn’t.
This has significance as a result of whereas cables with a flame retardant outer jacket will typically pass flame retardance tests with exterior flame, the identical cables when subjected to excessive overload or extended brief circuits have proved in college exams to be highly flammable and may even start a hearth. This effect is known and printed (8th International Conference on Insulated Power Cables (Jicable’11 – June 2011) held in Versailles, France) so it’s perhaps stunning that there are not any common check protocols for this seemingly widespread event and one cited by each authorities and media as reason for constructing fires.
Further, in Flame Retardant test strategies similar to IEC60332 parts 1 & three which make use of an exterior flame source, the cable samples aren’t pre-conditioned to normal operating temperature however examined at room temperature. This oversight is essential especially for energy circuits as a outcome of the temperature index of the cable (the temperature at which the cable material will self-support combustion in normal air) will be significantly affected by its beginning temperature i.e.: The hotter the cable is, the extra simply it’ll propagate fire.
It would seem that a need exists to re-evaluate present cable flame retardance take a look at strategies as these are generally understood by consultants and customers alike to offer a dependable indication of a cables ability to retard the propagation of fire.
If we can’t belief the Standards what can we do?
In the USA many building requirements don’t require halogen free cables. Certainly this is not as a result of Americans usually are not properly informed of the risks; somewhat the strategy taken is that: “It is healthier to have extremely flame retardant cables which don’t propagate hearth than minimally flame retardant cables which can unfold a fire” – (a small fire with some halogen may be better than a big fireplace without halogens). One of the most effective methods to make a cable insulation and cable jacket highly flame retardant is by using halogens.
Europe and plenty of countries around the world adopt a special mentality: Halogen Free and Flame Retardant. Whilst this is an admirable mandate the truth is somewhat different: Flame propagation checks for cables as adopted in UK and Europe can arguably be said to be less stringent than a number of the flame propagation tests for cables in USA resulting in the conclusion that common tests in UK and Europe could simply be exams the cables can move rather than tests the cables ought to cross.
Conclusion
For most versatile polymeric cables the selection remains at present between high flame propagation performance with halogens or lowered flame propagation performance with out halogens.
Enclosing cables in steel conduit will reduce propagation on the point of fireplace but hydrocarbon based combustion gasses from decomposing polymers are doubtless propagate by way of the conduits to switchboards, distribution boards and junction bins in different parts of the constructing. Any spark such as the opening or closing of circuit breakers, or contactors is likely to ignite the combustible gasses leading to explosion and spreading the fireplace to a different location.
While เกจวัดแรงดันpressuregauge (Mineral Insulated Metal Sheathed) cables would supply a solution, there’s often no singe perfect answer for each installation so designers need to evaluate the required efficiency on a “project-by-project” foundation to determine which know-how is optimal.
The major importance of fireplace load
Inside all buildings and projects electric cables present the connectivity which keeps lights on, air-conditioning working and the lifts running. It powers computers, office gear and provides the connection for our telephone and computers. Even our mobile phones need to connect with wireless or GSM antennas which are linked to the telecom community by fiber optic or copper cables. Cables ensure our safety by connecting
fireplace alarms, emergency voice communication, CCTV, smoke shutters, air pressurization followers, emergency lighting, hearth sprinkler pumps, smoke and warmth detectors, and so many different features of a modern Building Management System.
Where public safety is important we regularly request cables to have added safety features similar to flame retardance to make sure the cables do not easily unfold hearth, circuit integrity throughout hearth in order that essential fire-fighting and life safety tools maintain working. Sometimes we could recognize that the combustion of electric cables produces smoke and this can be poisonous so we name for cables to be Low Smoke and Halogen Free. Logically and intuitively we expect that by requesting these particular properties the cables we buy and set up shall be safer
Because cables are installed by many alternative trades for different applications and are mostly hidden or embedded in our constructions, what is often not realized is that the many miles of cables and tons of plastic polymers which make up the cables can represent one of the largest hearth hundreds in the constructing. This level is definitely price considering extra about.
PVC, XLPE, EPR, CSP, LSOH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) and even HFFR (Halogen Free Flame Retardant) cable supplies are largely primarily based on hydrocarbon polymers. These base supplies are not typically flame retardant and naturally have a high hearth load. Cable manufacturers make them flame retardant by including compounds and chemicals. Certainly this improves the volatility of burning but the gasoline content of the base polymers remains.
Tables 1 and a pair of above compare the fire load in MJ/Kg for common cable insulating supplies towards some common fuels. The Heat Release Rate and volatility in air for these materials will differ but the fuel added to a fire per kilogram and the consequential quantity of heat generated and oxygen consumed is relative.
The volume in kilometers and tons of cables installed in our buildings and the related hearth load of the insulations is appreciable. This is particularly essential in projects with lengthy egress occasions like high rise, public buildings, tunnels and underground environments, airports, hospitals and so forth.
When contemplating hearth security we should first understand the most important factors. Fire experts tell us most hearth associated deaths in buildings are attributable to smoke inhalation, temperature rise and oxygen depletion or by trauma brought on by jumping in attempting to flee these effects.
Smoke
The first and most important facet of smoke is how a lot smoke? Typically the larger the hearth the extra smoke is generated so anything we are ready to do to reduce the unfold of fireplace will also correspondingly cut back the quantity of smoke.
Smoke will comprise particulates of carbon, ash and other solids, liquids and gasses, many are poisonous and flamable. In particular, fires in confined areas like buildings, tunnels and underground environments trigger oxygen levels to drop, this contributes to incomplete burning and smoldering which produces elevated amounts of smoke and poisonous byproducts together with CO and CO2. Presence of halogenated materials will release toxic Halides like Hydrogen Chloride along with many other poisonous and flammable gasses within the smoke.
For this purpose widespread smoke checks performed on cable insulation supplies in giant three meter3 chambers with loads of air can provide misleading smoke figures as a outcome of complete burning will often launch considerably much less smoke than partial incomplete burning which is likely in apply. Simply specifying IEC 61034 with an outlined obscuration value then thinking it will provide a low smoke environment throughout fireplace might unfortunately be little of help for the people really concerned.
Halogens, Toxicity, Fuel Element, Oxygen Depletion and Temperature Rise
It is concerning that Europe and other nations undertake the concept of halogen free materials with out correctly addressing the topic of toxicity. Halogens launched during combustion are extraordinarily toxic however so too is carbon monoxide and this isn’t a halogen fuel. It is widespread to name for halogen free cables and then enable using Polyethylene because it’s halogen free. Burning Polyethylene (which could be seen from the desk above has the highest MJ fuel load per Kg of all insulations) will generate nearly 3 times extra heat than an equivalent PVC cable. This means is that burning polyethylene will not solely generate almost three times extra heat but additionally consume virtually 3 occasions extra oxygen and produce significantly extra carbon monoxide. Given carbon monoxide is liable for most toxicity deaths in fires this example is at finest alarming!
The gas parts proven in the table above indicate the quantity of heat which shall be generated by burning 1kg of the widespread cable insulations tabled. Certainly this warmth will speed up the burning of different adjoining materials and should assist spread the hearth in a building but importantly, so as to generate the heat vitality, oxygen needs to be consumed. The larger the heat of combustion the more oxygen is needed, so by selecting insulations with excessive gas parts is adding considerably to no much less than four of the primary dangers of fires: Temperature Rise, Oxygen Depletion, Flame Spread and Carbon Monoxide Release.
Perhaps it is best to install polymeric cables inside metallic conduits. This will certainly assist flame unfold and reduce smoke as a end result of inside the conduit oxygen is restricted; however this isn’t an answer. As stated beforehand, lots of the gasses from the decomposing polymeric insulations inside the conduits are highly flammable and poisonous. These gases will migrate alongside the conduits to junction bins, change panels, distribution boards, motor management facilities, lamps, switches, and so on. On getting into the gases can ignite or explode with any arcing such because the make/break of a circuit breaker, contactor, change or relay inflicting the hearth to spread to a different location.
Conclusion
The recognition of “Halogen Free” while ignoring the other poisonous components of fire is a transparent admission we don’t understand the topic properly nor can we simply outline the risks of mixed toxic elements or human physiological response to them. It is necessary however, that we don’t continue to design with solely half an understanding of the issue. While no perfect solution exists for organic based cables, we are in a position to definitely minimize these critically essential effects of fireside danger:
One choice maybe to decide on cable insulations and jacket materials that are halogen free and have a low fuel element, then install them in metal conduit or perhaps the American strategy is best: to make use of highly halogenated insulations in order that in case of fireside any flame spread is minimized.
For most energy, management, communication and knowledge circuits there could be one complete resolution obtainable for all the problems raised in this paper. It is a solution which has been used reliably for over 80 years. MICC cables can present a complete and complete reply to all the issues related to the fireplace security of organic polymer cables.
The copper jacket, magnesium oxide insulation and copper conductors of MICC make positive the cable is successfully hearth proof. MICC cables haven’t any natural content material so simply can not propagate flame or generate any smoke. The zero gas load ensures no warmth is added and no oxygen is consumed.
Being inorganic MICC cables can not generate any halogen or toxic gasses at all together with CO.
Unfortunately many frequent cable fire check strategies used today could inadvertently mislead folks into believing the polymeric versatile cable merchandise they buy and use will perform as anticipated in all fire situations. As outlined in this paper, sadly this will not be right.
For extra info, go to www.temperature-house.com
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