Escape from the Flames: How Fire Survival Cables Can Save Your Life?

In a fire hazard waiting to happen society where life and property are threatened every day, the number one priority is fire safety. Fire can be an irrevocable loss: property lost, people hurt, or worse, killed. Fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and fire exit corridors are required, but a much more important but often under-emphasized aspect of fire safety is the electrical cabling system. Fire survival cables are amongst the best ways to strengthen fire resistance, to provide means to power emergency systems, and to provide safety. They have been discussed in detail in this post here.

Let us explain about fire survival cables here, their usage, application, benefit, and how they can turn out to be a life-saver in the event of a fire accident.

Understanding Fire Survival Cables

Fire Rated Flexible Cable, or fireproof or fire-resistant cables, are unique electric cables, well-designed and specially manufactured, which are heat-resistant to maintain their functions even in the event of fire. Fire survival cables are constructed using heat-resistant materials with the aim of eliminating any breakdown of power supply, short circuit, or electrical breakdown so that critical systems will keep functioning even in the event of emergencies.

Fire survival cables are unlike regular electric cables, which get burnt or destroyed in the event of fire exposure. They are made with less combustible insulating materials like mica tapes, glass-fibre braids, and ceramic compounds so that they can resist for a very long time even after fire exposure.

Why Fire Survival Cables Are Important?

1. Maintenance of Power Supply in Fire Accidents

One of the major advantages of fire survival cables is that they provide a permanent source of power to emergency equipment such as fire alarm systems, sprinklers, smoke extractors, emergency lighting, and communications. During a fire, there must be an uninterrupted power supply so that there is no loss of safe evacuation and firefighting operation.

2. Allowing Evacuation and Rescue Operations

Fire survival cables are a part of emergency lighting and sign operation. Heavy fire and smoke can isolate people from exits in the event of power loss. Fire-resistant cables will power equipment to evacuate in working order, lead people to safety, and assist rescues for firefighters as well.

3. Electrical Failure and Secondary Fires Minimization

Electric short circuit is among the major causes of building fires. Normal electrical wires, when heated to a very high temperature, will burn away and ignite nearby materials with sparks. Fire survival cables are designed to fail less, reduce secondary fire hazard, and reduce fire spread in a building.

4. Safety Standard Compliance

All nations possess stringent fire protection laws that call for the installation of fireproof cables in mission-critical buildings. Compliance with specifications protects the residents and spares companies lawsuits, fine penalties, and responsibility for fire risk.

Performance of Fire Survival Cables

Fire survival cables make three simple assumptions:

●       Fire-Resistant Insulation: The cables incorporate excellent fire-resistant insulation that will neither melt nor deteriorate.

●       Low Smoke and Zero Halogen (LSZH) Characteristics: They emit hardly any toxic smoke and fumes when they are burned, decreasing the hazard to the occupants in case of evacuation.

●       Circuit Integrity: They can be electrically conductive for a temporary period, e.g., 30, 60, or 120 minutes, to support emergency circuits.

Applications of Fire Survival Cables

Fire survival cables are an ordinary installation in most industries for fire protection. Some common uses are:

1. Commercial Buildings and Skyscrapers

High-rise buildings need fire-resistant cables for power transmission from standby sources, i.e., lifts, fire alarms, and emergency light facilities. Fire survival cables provide sufficient time for the residents to evacuate the building.

2. Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities

Hospitals are equipped with life-saving devices, and thus power needs to be distributed to these during a fire accident. Fire survival cables provide power for machinery in operating theatres, ventilators, and emergency lighting systems.

3. Industrial and Manufacturing Units

Industrial units, powerhouses, and chemical units deal with inflammable materials and heavy machines. Fireproof cables prevent electrical faults giving rise to fatal fires in such risky conditions.

4. Transport Terminals (Metro Stations, Airports, and Tunnels)

Metro stations and airports employ fire-resistant cables for immediate emergency communication and evacuation facilities. Fire survival cables are utilized in underground tunnels, where fire spreads very rapidly, so there will be no total electrical breakdown.

5. Oil and Gas Industry

Gas refineries and plants are very dangerous environments where fire would be disastrous. Fire survival cables provide power to safety devices unbroken, decreasing risk in such very hazardous conditions.

Top Advantages of Fire Survival Cables

1. Safety of Life

By providing energy to equipment in emergencies, fire survival cables decrease casualties through safe evacuation and response through emergency means.

2. Safety of Property

Fire spread limitation and power loss limitation save valuable infrastructure and assets and minimize economic loss.

3. Reliability and Durability

The cables are designed in a way that they can endure extreme temperatures and conditions and thus provide long-term and effective protection.

4. Environmental Conservation

Halogen-free and low-smoke insulation materials make fire survival cables environmentally friendly since they do not produce harmful toxic smoke during combustion.

5. Cost-Effectiveness

Though more expensive to install initially than traditional cables, fire survival cables are cost-effective in the long run with lower fire losses and insurance costs.

Selecting the Right Fire Survival Cables

Therefore, while selecting duly suitable fire survival cables, apply the following parameters:

●       Fire Resistance Rating: Select cables with a fire resistance rating according to international standards like BS 6387, IEC 60331, or UL 2196.

●       Material Composition: Select cables made with quality material that would not melt when they come into contact with heat.

●       Application-Specific Requirements: Select cables depending on their application, i.e., power supply, communication, or control systems.

●       Regulatory Compliance: Yes, ensure that the cables are compliant with local building and fire regulations.

●       Manufacturer Credibility: Use reputable and approved manufacturers in order to guarantee the quality and performance of the products.

Conclusion

They form an essential line of defence in the shape of a perpetual supply of power to emergency systems to avoid electrical failure and ensure evacuation plans. In factory structures, hospitals, offices, or transportation terminals, quality Fire Resistant Cables can mean the difference between life and death during a fire catastrophe. 

With the development of technology, innovation in still superior class fire survival cables will keep enhancing fire resistance and safety features, preserving human life and property for generations to come. By giving topmost priority to fire survival cables in our building, we're going in the right direction towards a safe future—where the danger of fires is tackled effectively and loss of human lives is significantly minimized. Therefore, the next time you are making decisions regarding fire safety, think that the correct cabling has the potential to save lives.

Also Read: Understanding the Importance of Wire Quality for Electrical Efficiency