Archived 2016 Lapp Group International Catalog

Technical Tables T14 European Construction Product Regulation – Fire behaviour of cables

ÖLFLEX ® ACCESSORIES FLEXIMARK ® SILVYN ® SKINTOP ® EPIC ® HITRONIC ® ETHERLINE ® UNITRONIC ® APPENDIX

The European Construction Product Regulation (CPR) Requirements for fire behaviour of cables and their classification Cables in buildings Class

Table 1: Euro classes under EN 13501-6 respectively 2006/751/EG

Classification criteria

Additional Classification

Test method(s)

EN 50399 (20.5 kW burner) and

THR 1200s ≤ 70 MJ and Peak-HRR ≤ 400 kW and FIGRA ≤ 1300 Ws -1

Cables are used for different applications in buildings. In addition to energy supply, they are also used for signal and data transmission. The increasing number of electrically-powered equipments and the increase in networking (e. g. intelligent controls, Internet distribution etc.) result in a rise in the number of cables required. Therefore, their behaviour in case of fire is becoming increasingly important. The EU has responded to this situation by including cables in the new regulations for construction products. The Construction Product Regulation and its significance Regulation no. 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9th March 2011 laid down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and is known as the Construction Product Regulation (CPR). It has been in force since 1 Juli 2013 and replaces the previous construction products directive (no. 89/106/EEC) from 1988. Along with many other construction products, the regulation covers energy, control and data cables intended for permanent use (installa- tion) in buildings. The regulation defines basic requirements for buildings, e. g. fire prevention, but does not set out specific product properties or stipulate the use of particular construction products. Underlying standards – Euro classes The products intended for use must be classified using standardised rules (harmonised standards), which requires testing and certification by a notified body. The standards that define the fire behaviour requirements for cables (EN 50575) and describe the classification (EN 13501-6) had not yet been officially adopted at the time when CPR came into force. Meanwhile the standards are finished and were published in the Official Journal of the EU in July 2015. Since this time the notification of testing bodies is possible and the transitional period during which products with and without CE marking under CPR can be brought into circulation is expected to start at 1 July 2016 and ends at 1 July 2017.

Smoke production and Flaming droplets/particles and Acidity

D CA

EN 60332-1-2 EN 60332-1-2

H ≤ 425 mm H ≤ 425 mm

E CA F CA

No performance determined

PCS – Gross calorific potential FS - Flame Spread

THR – Total Heat Release HRR - Heat Release Rate FIGRA - Fire Growth Rate

Certificate of conformity The familiar procedure for cables covered by the Low Voltage Directive required the manufacturer to establish the conformity of their products with the directives or compliance with the corresponding standards and to certify this in an EU Declaration of Conformity. However, this is not sufficient for products affected by the Construction Products Regula- tion. Depending on the intended Euro class, a conformity assessment process will have to be completed, with the scope outlined in table 2. Except for Class F, a minimum of type testing by a notified body will be required. In association with the certificate of conformity, the manufac- turer will have to issue a performance declaration, providing details of the fire behaviour (Euro class A-F).

Table 2: Conformity certification system under EN50575

Conformity certification system

Euro class

Tasks of notified body

- Type testing - Regular plant auditing - Regular sampling from ongoing production

, B1 CA

,

A CA

1+

, C CA

B2 CA

D CA F CA

, E

3 4

Type testing

CA

none

This process for classifying products and obtaining the certificate of conformity will apply equally to all member states and is a response to the requirement to eliminate barriers to trade in the construction product sector and improve the free movement of goods for these prod- ucts in the internal market. Use of classified cables in buildings Incorporation of the corresponding cables into building regulations and assignment of fire classes to building types or areas within buildings is the responsibility of the relevant member states. For example, in Germany, the individual states will implement the stand- ards according to their own state building regulations, as building law is under state jurisdiction. Definitive assignments of classes to buildings were not set at the time of going to press, although a possible classification can be found in a white paper from the ZVEI (German association of electrical equipment manufacturers), which can be found in German at www.zvei.de. Classification/Certification of our products At the time of going to press we couldn’t issue any information about fire classes. The current status of our products can be found in our online catalogue at http://products.lappgroup.com/online-catalogue/appendix/ technical-tables.html.

Table 1: Euro classes under EN 13501-6 respectively 2006/751/EG

Classification criteria PCS ≤ 2.0 MJ/kg FS ≤ 1.75 m and

Additional Classification

Class

Test method(s)

EN ISO 1716

A CA

EN 50399 (30 kW burner) and

Smoke production and Flaming droplets/particles and Acidity Smoke production and Flaming droplets/particles and Acidity Smoke production and Flaming droplets/particles and Acidity

THR 1200s ≤ 10 MJ and Peak-HRR ≤ 20 kW and FIGRA ≤ 120 Ws -1

B1 CA

EN 60332-1-2

H ≤ 425 mm

FS ≤ 1.5 m and

EN 50399 (20.5 kW burner) and

THR 1200s ≤ 15 MJ and Peak-HRR ≤ 30 kW and FIGRA ≤ 150 Ws -1

B2 CA

EN 60332-1-2

H ≤ 425 mm

FS ≤ 2.0 m and

EN 50399 (20.5 kW burner) and

THR 1200s ≤ 30 MJ and Peak-HRR ≤ 60 kW and FIGRA ≤ 300 Ws -1

C CA

EN 60332-1-2

H ≤ 425 mm

For current information see: www.lappgroup.com

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