Standard for Fire Test for Circuit Integrity of Fire-Resistive Power, Instrumentation, Control and Data Cables

Note: The standards development activity, scope and project need for this NOI (originally published on May 18, 2021) were updated by the responsible SDO on May 14, 2024.

1.1 The intent of this Standard is to evaluate the integrity of power, control, instrumentation, and data/communication cables (such as copper, coaxial, or optical-fiber) for their ability to maintain circuit integrity when subjected to standard fire test exposure and associated hose stream test.

1.2 The power, control, instrumentation, and data/communication cables covered by this Standard are intended to comply with the following requirements:

In Canada:

Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) and the National Building Code of Canada;

In the United States:

National Electrical Code (NEC), and/or the International Fire Code, and/or National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, and/or the Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems, and/or the Standard for Road Tunnels, Bridges, and Other Limited Access Highways, and/or the Standard for Emergency Services Communications, NFPA 1225.

1.3 Cables are subjected to the fire exposure in accordance with CAN/ULC-S101, Standard Methods of Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials, and UL 263, Standard for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials. Following the fire test, the assembly shall be subjected to a hose stream test.

1.4 During the fire test, cables other than optical-fiber cables are continuously energized at their maximum rated voltage or maximum utilization voltage and evaluated for circuit integrity. Insulation resistance measurements are also taken to quantify leakage current.

1.5 In addition, during the fire tests, the data/communication cables are evaluated to determine their ability to support the transmission of data or communication signals per manufacturer’s performance specifications.

1.6 The fire exposure and hose stream tests are not intended to be representative of all fire conditions and impact conditions, respectively. It is likely that conditions will vary with changes in the amount, nature, distribution of fire loading, ventilation, compartment size and configuration, and heat conducting and dissipating characteristics of the compartment in which the cables are installed. These requirements provide a relative measure of fire performance of comparable assemblies under these specified fire exposure conditions. It is possible that any variation from the construction or operating condition tested, such as size, method of assembly and materials, will substantially change the performance characteristics of the cables.

1.7 The standardized fire and hose stream exposures for comparing the performance of cables represents one factor in determining the acceptability of cables for use in specific applications.

1.8 The construction and operation of the furnace and the general test conditions are intended to be in accordance with the requirements in CAN/ULC S101, Standard Methods of Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials, and UL 263, Standard for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials.