Often the most effective flame retardant cables are halogenated as a end result of both the insulation and outer Jacket are flame retardant however after we need Halogen Free cables we discover it is typically only the outer jacket which is flame retardant and the inner insulation is not.
This has significance as a result of whereas cables with a flame retardant outer jacket will typically cross flame retardance exams with external flame, the same cables when subjected to high overload or extended short circuits have proved in university exams to be highly flammable and might even start a hearth. This impact is known and printed (8th International Conference on Insulated Power Cables (Jicable’11 – June 2011) held in Versailles, France) so it’s maybe surprising that there are no common check protocols for this seemingly frequent occasion and one cited by both authorities and media as cause of constructing fires.
Further, in Flame Retardant test methods corresponding to IEC60332 components 1 & three which make use of an exterior flame supply, the cable samples are not pre-conditioned to regular operating temperature however examined at room temperature. This oversight is necessary especially for power circuits as a outcome of the temperature index of the cable (the temperature at which the cable materials will self-support combustion in normal air) will be considerably affected by its starting temperature i.e.: The hotter the cable is, the extra easily it’s going to propagate fire.
It would seem that a need exists to re-evaluate current cable flame retardance take a look at strategies as these are commonly understood by consultants and shoppers alike to provide a dependable indication of a cables capability to retard the propagation of fireplace.
If we can’t belief the Standards what will we do?
In the USA many building requirements don’t require halogen free cables. Certainly this isn’t as a result of Americans aren’t wisely knowledgeable of the risks; quite the method taken is that: “It is best to have highly flame retardant cables which don’t propagate hearth than minimally flame retardant cables which can unfold a fire” – (a small fire with some halogen could also be higher than a big hearth with out halogens). One of the best methods to make a cable insulation and cable jacket highly flame retardant is by utilizing halogens.
Europe and a lot of countries around the world undertake a special mentality: Halogen Free and Flame Retardant. เกจวัดแรงดันลม that is an admirable mandate the fact is rather different: Flame propagation tests for cables as adopted in UK and Europe can arguably be mentioned to be less stringent than a number of the flame propagation checks for cables in USA leading to the conclusion that common checks in UK and Europe could merely be tests the cables can move somewhat than tests the cables should pass.
Conclusion
For most flexible polymeric cables the selection remains today between excessive flame propagation performance with halogens or decreased flame propagation performance with out halogens.
Enclosing cables in steel conduit will cut back propagation on the level of fire but hydrocarbon based mostly combustion gasses from decomposing polymers are likely propagate via the conduits to switchboards, distribution boards and junction bins in other components of the building. Any spark such as the opening or closing of circuit breakers, or contactors is prone to ignite the combustible gasses resulting in explosion and spreading the fireplace to another location.
While MICC (Mineral Insulated Metal Sheathed) cables would offer an answer, there could be often no singe good reply for every set up so designers need to judge the required efficiency on a “project-by-project” foundation to determine which expertise is optimal.
The major significance of fireside load
Inside all buildings and projects electrical cables present the connectivity which keeps lights on, air-conditioning working and the lifts operating. It powers computers, office tools and provides the connection for our phone and computer systems. Even our mobile phones need to connect with wi-fi or GSM antennas that are related to the telecom network 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, fire sprinkler pumps, smoke and warmth detectors, and so many other options of a contemporary Building Management System.
Where public security is necessary we often request cables to have added safety options corresponding to flame retardance to ensure the cables do not simply unfold fireplace, circuit integrity throughout hearth in order that important fire-fighting and life safety equipment maintain working. Sometimes we may acknowledge that the combustion of electric cables produces smoke and this can be toxic so we name for cables to be Low Smoke and Halogen Free. Logically and intuitively we expect that by requesting these special properties the cables we purchase and set up will be safer
Because cables are installed by many alternative trades for different applications and are mostly hidden or embedded in our constructions, what is usually not realized is that the numerous miles of cables and tons of plastic polymers which make up the cables can characterize one of the largest fire loads in the constructing. This point is actually worth thinking extra about.
PVC, XLPE, EPR, CSP, LSOH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) and even HFFR (Halogen Free Flame Retardant) cable supplies are mostly based on hydrocarbon polymers. These base materials are not generally flame retardant and naturally have a high hearth load. Cable producers make them flame retardant by including compounds and chemicals. Certainly this improves the volatility of burning however the fuel content material of the bottom polymers stays.
Tables 1 and a pair of above evaluate the hearth load in MJ/Kg for frequent cable insulating materials against some frequent fuels. The Heat Release Rate and volatility in air for these supplies will differ however the fuel added to a fire per kilogram and the consequential quantity of warmth generated and oxygen consumed is relative.
The volume in kilometers and tons of cables installed in our buildings and the associated fireplace load of the insulations is appreciable. This is particularly essential in initiatives with long egress times like high rise, public buildings, tunnels and underground environments, airports, hospitals and so forth.
When contemplating hearth safety we must first understand the most important factors. Fire specialists tell us most fire associated deaths in buildings are attributable to smoke inhalation, temperature rise and oxygen depletion or by trauma attributable to leaping in making an attempt to escape these effects.
Smoke
The first and most necessary facet of smoke is how a lot smoke? Typically the larger the hearth the extra smoke is generated so something we can do to reduce the unfold of fire will also correspondingly cut back the amount of smoke.
Smoke will include particulates of carbon, ash and different solids, liquids and gasses, many are toxic and combustible. In particular, fires in confined areas like buildings, tunnels and underground environments cause oxygen levels to drop, this contributes to incomplete burning and smoldering which produces increased quantities of smoke and toxic byproducts together with CO and CO2. Presence of halogenated materials will launch toxic Halides like Hydrogen Chloride along with many different toxic and flammable gasses in the smoke.
For this cause common smoke checks carried out on cable insulation materials in large 3 meter3 chambers with plenty of air can present deceptive smoke figures as a outcome of complete burning will usually launch considerably much less smoke than partial incomplete burning which is likely in practice. Simply specifying IEC 61034 with an outlined obscuration value then considering this will provide a low smoke setting throughout fireplace might sadly be little of help for the people truly concerned.
Halogens, Toxicity, Fuel Element, Oxygen Depletion and Temperature Rise
It is regarding that Europe and different nations adopt the concept of halogen free supplies with out properly addressing the subject of toxicity. Halogens released during combustion are extraordinarily poisonous but so too is carbon monoxide and this is not a halogen gas. It is common to name for halogen free cables after which allow the usage of Polyethylene as a result of it’s halogen free. Burning Polyethylene (which could be seen from the desk above has the best MJ gasoline load per Kg of all insulations) will generate nearly 3 occasions more warmth than an equal PVC cable. This means is that burning polyethylene won’t solely generate nearly 3 occasions extra heat but also consume nearly 3 times more oxygen and produce considerably extra carbon monoxide. Given carbon monoxide is liable for most toxicity deaths in fires this example is at finest alarming!
The fuel elements proven within the table above point out the quantity of heat which might be generated by burning 1kg of the common cable insulations tabled. Certainly this warmth will speed up the burning of other adjoining supplies and will assist unfold the fire in a constructing but importantly, so as to generate the heat power, oxygen needs to be consumed. The greater the heat of combustion the extra oxygen is required, so by choosing insulations with excessive gas parts is adding considerably to a minimum of four of the primary risks of fires: Temperature Rise, Oxygen Depletion, Flame Spread and Carbon Monoxide Release.
Perhaps it is best to put in polymeric cables inside metallic conduits. This will certainly assist flame spread and decrease smoke because inside the conduit oxygen is restricted; nonetheless this isn’t an answer. As stated beforehand, many of the gasses from the decomposing polymeric insulations inside the conduits are extremely flammable and poisonous. These gases will migrate along the conduits to junction packing containers, swap panels, distribution boards, motor control centers, lamps, switches, and so forth. On entering 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” whereas ignoring the other poisonous elements of fireside is a clear admission we don’t understand the topic well nor can we easily outline the risks of combined poisonous parts or human physiological response to them. It is essential however, that we do not proceed to design with solely half an understanding of the problem. While no good answer exists for organic based cables, we can actually minimize these critically necessary results of fire threat:
One choice possibly to choose on cable insulations and jacket materials which are halogen free and have a low gas factor, then install them in metal conduit or perhaps the American approach is healthier: to use extremely halogenated insulations so that in case of fire any flame spread is minimized.
For most energy, management, communication and information circuits there’s one complete answer available for all the issues raised on this paper. It is an answer which has been used reliably for over eighty years. MICC cables can provide a total and complete reply to all the problems related to the hearth security of natural polymer cables.
The copper jacket, magnesium oxide insulation and copper conductors of MICC make sure the cable is successfully fire proof. MICC cables haven’t any natural content material so simply can not propagate flame or generate any smoke. The zero fuel load ensures no warmth is added and no oxygen is consumed.
Being inorganic MICC cables can not generate any halogen or poisonous gasses in any respect together with CO.
Unfortunately many widespread cable fireplace check methods used right now may inadvertently mislead individuals into believing the polymeric flexible cable merchandise they purchase and use will carry out as anticipated in all hearth conditions. As outlined in this paper, sadly this may not be appropriate.
For extra information, go to www.temperature-house.com
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