Reaction to fire test of CPR cables

CPR European regulations prescribe severe fire test in official laboratories to analyse their reaction to fire. Official results of these tests indicate the performance of these cables before the fire, reflected in class B2_ca, C_ca, D_ca or E_ca).

The regulation of  Construction Products Regulation (CPR), in force since July 1st, 2016, requires cable manufacturers, distributors, project managers, architects, builders and installers across Europe to provide cables with the correct CPR classification in construction buildings.

During the reaction to fire test, heat release and flame spread are constantly measured.

REACTION TO FIRE TEST PARAMETERS

With reference to the reaction of the cable on contact with flame according to CPR, the reaction to fire test carried out in the test laboratory follows the following parameters:

• Standard: EN 50399
• Fire Cabin
• Vertical cable ladder
• Gas analysers
• Fire burner 20 kW
• Heat release rate
• No flame spread
• Smoke production
• Particulate fallout

You can watch how the reaction to fire test works in this video.

NON-PROPAGATION FLAME

Among many other relevant aspects, B2_ca cables must not propagation flame more than 1.5 metres. C_ca cables should not propagation flame more than 2 metres. Therefore, the installation of B2_ca or C_ca cables prevents a localised fire from spreading to other areas through the cable network.

ADDITIONAL CLASSIFICATION LEVELS

In addition, the CPR provide three additional levels of classification:

1. The amount of smoke produced, indicated by the following rankings s1a, s1b, s3 or s2.
2. Combustible particles falling during the cable combustion, indicated by d0, d1 and d2.
3. The acidity level of the smoke produced during the combustion, classified as a1, a2 and a3.

These additional classifications are vital when it comes to safety in case of fire.

What CPR classification is required in all European countries?

National regulations prescribe specific classes based on the environment and installation rules.

In most European countries class C_ca is required in public places with high density if people and important equipment such as: offices, schools, hotels, hospitals and suchlike.

Top Cable provides a wide range of cables with the maximum CPR performance. For more information, contact with our sales team.