Often one of the best flame retardant cables are halogenated because each the insulation and outer Jacket are flame retardant but when 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 because while cables with a flame retardant outer jacket will typically cross flame retardance checks with exterior flame, the same cables when subjected to high overload or prolonged brief circuits have proved in college exams to be extremely flammable and can 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 is maybe stunning that there aren’t any common test protocols for this seemingly common occasion and one cited by each authorities and media as cause of building fires.
Further, in Flame Retardant take a look at strategies corresponding to IEC60332 parts 1 & 3 which employ an exterior flame supply, the cable samples aren’t pre-conditioned to regular working temperature however examined at room temperature. This oversight is essential especially for energy circuits because 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 beginning temperature i.e.: The hotter the cable is, the more simply it’s going to propagate fire.
It would seem that a want exists to re-evaluate current cable flame retardance test strategies as these are commonly understood by consultants and consumers alike to supply a dependable indication of a cables ability to retard the propagation of fireplace.
If we can’t belief the Standards what do we do?
In the USA many constructing requirements do not require halogen free cables. Certainly this is not as a outcome of Americans are not correctly informed of the hazards; quite the approach taken is that: “It is healthier to have highly flame retardant cables which do not propagate fireplace than minimally flame retardant cables which may unfold a fire” – (a small fire with some halogen could also be higher than a big fire with out halogens). One of the most effective methods to make a cable insulation and cable jacket highly flame retardant is by using halogens.
Europe and many nations around the world undertake a special mentality: Halogen Free and Flame Retardant. Whilst this is an admirable mandate the truth is quite completely different: Flame propagation checks for cables as adopted in UK and Europe can arguably be stated to be less stringent than a few of the flame propagation exams for cables in USA leading to the conclusion that widespread checks in UK and Europe might simply be exams the cables can move quite than exams the cables should move.
Conclusion
For most versatile polymeric cables the choice remains right now between excessive flame propagation performance with halogens or lowered flame propagation efficiency with out halogens.
Enclosing cables in metal conduit will cut back propagation on the level of fireside however hydrocarbon based combustion gasses from decomposing polymers are likely propagate by way of the conduits to switchboards, distribution boards and junction bins in other elements of the constructing. Any spark such because the opening or closing of circuit breakers, or contactors is more likely to ignite the flamable gasses leading to explosion and spreading the fire to a different location.
While MICC (Mineral Insulated Metal Sheathed) cables would supply an answer, there’s usually no singe excellent answer for every set up so designers need to judge the required efficiency on a “project-by-project” foundation to decide which know-how is perfect.
The primary importance of fire load
Inside all buildings and projects electric cables provide the connectivity which keeps lights on, air-conditioning working and the lifts running. It powers computers, workplace gear and supplies the connection for our phone and computer systems. Even our mobile phones need to attach with wi-fi or GSM antennas that are connected 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, hearth sprinkler pumps, smoke and heat detectors, and so many different features of a contemporary Building Management System.
Where public safety is essential we often request cables to have added safety options such as flame retardance to ensure the cables don’t simply unfold fire, circuit integrity throughout fireplace in order that essential fire-fighting and life security equipment maintain working. Sometimes we might acknowledge 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 think that by requesting these special properties the cables we buy and install shall be safer
Because cables are put in by many various trades for different functions and are principally hidden or embedded in our constructions, what is usually not realized is that the various miles of cables and tons of plastic polymers which make up the cables can represent one of the largest fireplace loads in the building. This point is actually value considering extra about.
PVC, XLPE, EPR, CSP, LSOH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) and even HFFR (Halogen Free Flame Retardant) cable supplies are principally primarily based on hydrocarbon polymers. These base materials are not generally flame retardant and naturally have a high fireplace load. Cable producers make them flame retardant by adding compounds and chemical substances. Certainly this improves the volatility of burning however the gas content material of the bottom polymers remains.
Tables 1 and a pair of above examine the fireplace load in MJ/Kg for common cable insulating supplies towards some frequent fuels. The Heat Release Rate and volatility in air for these supplies will differ however the gas 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 put in in our buildings and the associated hearth load of the insulations is appreciable. This is particularly essential in initiatives with long egress times like excessive rise, public buildings, tunnels and underground environments, airports, hospitals and so forth.
When considering fireplace safety we should first understand crucial components. Fire consultants tell us most hearth associated deaths in buildings are caused by smoke inhalation, temperature rise and oxygen depletion or by trauma caused by leaping in making an attempt to flee these effects.
Smoke
The first and most necessary side of smoke is how much smoke? Typically the bigger the fireplace the extra smoke is generated so anything we can do to scale back the unfold of fireside may even correspondingly cut back the amount of smoke.
Smoke will comprise particulates of carbon, ash and other solids, liquids and gasses, many are poisonous and combustible. In particular, fires in confined areas like buildings, tunnels and underground environments cause oxygen ranges 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 release poisonous Halides like Hydrogen Chloride along with many other toxic and flammable gasses in the smoke.
For this purpose common smoke tests conducted on cable insulation materials in massive 3 meter3 chambers with plenty of air can provide misleading smoke figures because complete burning will usually release significantly less smoke than partial incomplete burning which is likely in practice. Simply specifying IEC 61034 with a defined obscuration value then thinking this will present a low smoke surroundings during hearth may unfortunately be little of help for the folks truly concerned.
Halogens, Toxicity, Fuel Element, Oxygen Depletion and Temperature Rise
It is concerning that Europe and different nations undertake the concept of halogen free materials without properly addressing the subject of toxicity. Halogens launched throughout combustion are extremely toxic but so too is carbon monoxide and this is not a halogen gas. It is frequent to call for halogen free cables after which enable using Polyethylene because it is halogen free. Burning Polyethylene (which can be seen from the desk above has the best MJ fuel load per Kg of all insulations) will generate nearly 3 times more warmth than an equivalent PVC cable. This means is that burning polyethylene is not going to only generate virtually three instances extra heat but in addition consume almost 3 instances extra oxygen and produce considerably more carbon monoxide. Given carbon monoxide is answerable for most toxicity deaths in fires this situation is at best alarming!
The gasoline elements proven within the table above indicate the amount of heat which might be generated by burning 1kg of the widespread cable insulations tabled. Certainly this heat will accelerate the burning of different adjacent materials and should assist spread the fire in a constructing however importantly, so as to generate the heat vitality, oxygen must be consumed. The greater the warmth of combustion the extra oxygen is needed, so by selecting insulations with excessive gas parts is adding considerably to a minimal of 4 of the first risks of fires: Temperature Rise, Oxygen Depletion, Flame Spread and Carbon Monoxide Release.
Perhaps it is best to put in polymeric cables inside steel conduits. เกจวัดแรงดันน้ำประปา will certainly help flame unfold and minimize smoke because contained in the conduit oxygen is restricted; nevertheless this is not a solution. As stated previously, many of the gasses from the decomposing polymeric insulations contained in the conduits are extremely flammable and poisonous. These gases will migrate along the conduits to junction packing containers, switch panels, distribution boards, motor control facilities, lamps, switches, etc. On coming into the gases can ignite or explode with any arcing such as the make/break of a circuit breaker, contactor, change or relay causing the hearth to unfold to another location.
Conclusion
The popularity of “Halogen Free” while ignoring the opposite toxic components of fire is a clear admission we don’t understand the topic nicely nor can we simply define the dangers of mixed toxic components or human physiological response to them. It is essential nonetheless, that we do not continue to design with only half an understanding of the problem. While no perfect resolution exists for natural based cables, we can definitely minimize these critically important results of fire risk:
One choice perhaps to choose cable insulations and jacket materials which are halogen free and have a low fuel component, then install them in steel conduit or perhaps the American strategy is healthier: to make use of highly halogenated insulations so that in case of fire any flame spread is minimized.
For most power, management, communication and information circuits there’s one complete resolution obtainable for all the problems raised on this paper. It is an answer which has been used reliably for over eighty years. MICC cables can present a complete and full answer to all the problems associated with the hearth safety of organic polymer cables.
The copper jacket, magnesium oxide insulation and copper conductors of MICC make certain the cable is successfully fire proof. MICC cables don’t have any natural content material so merely can’t propagate flame or generate any smoke. The zero fuel load ensures no heat is added and no oxygen is consumed.
Being inorganic MICC cables can’t generate any halogen or toxic gasses in any respect together with CO.
Unfortunately many widespread cable hearth check strategies used right now might inadvertently mislead individuals into believing the polymeric flexible cable merchandise they buy and use will carry out as anticipated in all fire conditions. As outlined on this paper, sadly this will not be correct.
For extra info, go to www.temperature-house.com
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