Often the best flame retardant cables are halogenated as a result of both the insulation and outer Jacket are flame retardant however once we need Halogen Free cables we find it is typically only the outer jacket which is flame retardant and the inside insulation is not.
This has significance as a end result of whereas cables with a flame retardant outer jacket will usually move flame retardance exams with exterior flame, the same cables when subjected to high overload or prolonged short circuits have proved in college tests to be extremely flammable and can even start a fireplace. This effect is thought and printed (8th International Conference on Insulated Power Cables (Jicable’11 – June 2011) held in Versailles, France) so it is maybe shocking that there are not any common test protocols for this seemingly widespread event and one cited by each authorities and media as explanation for constructing fires.
Further, in Flame Retardant check strategies such as IEC60332 parts 1 & 3 which make use of an exterior flame supply, the cable samples are not pre-conditioned to regular working temperature but examined at room temperature. This oversight is essential particularly for power circuits as a result of the temperature index of the cable (the temperature at which the cable material will self-support combustion in regular air) might be considerably affected by its beginning temperature i.e.: The hotter the cable is, the more easily it’s going to propagate fireplace.
It would appear that a need exists to re-evaluate present cable flame retardance check methods as these are commonly understood by consultants and customers alike to provide a reliable indication of a cables capability to retard the propagation of fireplace.
If we can’t trust the Standards what will we do?
In the USA many constructing standards don’t require halogen free cables. Certainly this isn’t as a result of Americans aren’t wisely informed of the hazards; somewhat the approach taken is that: “It is healthier to have extremely flame retardant cables which don’t propagate fire than minimally flame retardant cables which can unfold a fire” – (a small fireplace with some halogen could additionally be better than a large fire with out halogens). One of one of the best methods to make a cable insulation and cable jacket highly flame retardant is through the use of halogens.
เกจวัดไนโตรเจนราคา and lots of countries all over the world adopt a different mentality: Halogen Free and Flame Retardant. Whilst this is an admirable mandate the truth is somewhat 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 checks for cables in USA leading to the conclusion that widespread exams in UK and Europe might simply be checks the cables can pass quite than tests the cables ought to pass.
Conclusion
For most flexible polymeric cables the choice remains at present between excessive flame propagation performance with halogens or lowered flame propagation efficiency with out halogens.
Enclosing cables in metal conduit will scale back propagation at the point of fireplace however hydrocarbon based combustion gasses from decomposing polymers are doubtless propagate by way of the conduits to switchboards, distribution boards and junction bins in different parts of the constructing. Any spark such because the opening or closing of circuit breakers, or contactors is more likely to ignite the flamable gasses resulting in explosion and spreading the fireplace to another location.
While MICC (Mineral Insulated Metal Sheathed) cables would offer an answer, there is usually no singe perfect reply for every installation so designers need to evaluate the required performance on a “project-by-project” basis to resolve which technology is optimal.
The primary significance of fireside load
Inside all buildings and tasks electric cables provide the connectivity which keeps lights on, air-conditioning working and the lifts working. It powers computers, workplace equipment and offers the connection for our telephone and computers. Even our mobile phones need to attach with wireless or GSM antennas that are related to the telecom network by fiber optic or copper cables. Cables guarantee our security by connecting
fire alarms, emergency voice communication, CCTV, smoke shutters, air pressurization followers, emergency lighting, hearth sprinkler pumps, smoke and heat detectors, and so many different options of a contemporary Building Management System.
Where public security is necessary we often request cables to have added security features similar to flame retardance to make sure the cables don’t easily unfold fireplace, circuit integrity during fireplace so that essential fire-fighting and life safety tools keep working. Sometimes we might recognize that the combustion of electric cables produces smoke and this can be poisonous so we call for cables to be Low Smoke and Halogen Free. Logically and intuitively we expect that by requesting these special properties the cables we buy and install might be safer
Because cables are put in by many alternative trades for various purposes and are mostly hidden or embedded in our constructions, what is commonly 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 hundreds in the constructing. This level is certainly value considering more about.
PVC, XLPE, EPR, CSP, LSOH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) and even HFFR (Halogen Free Flame Retardant) cable supplies are principally based mostly on hydrocarbon polymers. These base supplies aren’t typically flame retardant and naturally have a high hearth load. Cable manufacturers make them flame retardant by adding compounds and chemical compounds. Certainly this improves the volatility of burning but the fuel content of the bottom polymers remains.
Tables 1 and 2 above compare the hearth load in MJ/Kg for widespread cable insulating supplies towards some frequent fuels. The Heat Release Rate and volatility in air for these materials will differ however the gas added to a fireplace per kilogram and the consequential volume of warmth generated and oxygen consumed is relative.
The quantity in kilometers and tons of cables put in in our buildings and the related fire load of the insulations is appreciable. This is especially necessary in projects with lengthy egress occasions like excessive rise, public buildings, tunnels and underground environments, airports, hospitals etc.
When considering hearth security we should first perceive the most important elements. Fire experts tell us most fire associated deaths in buildings are brought on by smoke inhalation, temperature rise and oxygen depletion or by trauma caused by jumping in making an attempt to escape these effects.
Smoke
The first and most important facet of smoke is how a lot smoke? Typically the larger the fireplace the more smoke is generated so anything we are in a position to do to reduce back the unfold of fireplace may even correspondingly scale back the amount of smoke.
Smoke will include 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 levels to drop, this contributes to incomplete burning and smoldering which produces elevated amounts of smoke and toxic byproducts together with CO and CO2. Presence of halogenated supplies will launch toxic Halides like Hydrogen Chloride together with many other poisonous and flammable gasses within the smoke.
For this purpose common smoke tests performed on cable insulation materials in massive 3 meter3 chambers with loads of air can provide deceptive smoke figures as a result of complete burning will typically release significantly less smoke than partial incomplete burning which is most likely going in practice. Simply specifying IEC 61034 with an outlined obscuration worth then pondering this will provide a low smoke environment throughout hearth may unfortunately be little of help for the folks actually concerned.
Halogens, Toxicity, Fuel Element, Oxygen Depletion and Temperature Rise
It is concerning that Europe and other nations undertake the concept of halogen free materials without properly addressing the subject of toxicity. Halogens launched during combustion are extremely poisonous however so too is carbon monoxide and this is not a halogen fuel. It is widespread to name for halogen free cables after which enable using Polyethylene because it’s halogen free. Burning Polyethylene (which may be seen from the table above has the highest MJ fuel load per Kg of all insulations) will generate almost three times extra heat than an equivalent PVC cable. This means is that burning polyethylene won’t solely generate nearly three occasions extra warmth but also eat nearly three instances extra oxygen and produce considerably extra carbon monoxide. Given carbon monoxide is responsible for most toxicity deaths in fires this situation is at finest alarming!
The fuel components shown in the table above point out the quantity of heat which will be generated by burning 1kg of the common cable insulations tabled. Certainly this warmth will speed up the burning of other adjoining materials and will assist spread the fire in a building however importantly, to have the ability to generate the warmth energy, oxygen must be consumed. The greater the heat of combustion the extra oxygen is needed, so by selecting insulations with high fuel elements is including considerably to at least four of the primary risks of fires: Temperature Rise, Oxygen Depletion, Flame Spread and Carbon Monoxide Release.
Perhaps it’s best to put in polymeric cables inside steel conduits. This will definitely help flame unfold and reduce smoke because inside the conduit oxygen is proscribed; nonetheless this isn’t a solution. As said previously, most of the gasses from the decomposing polymeric insulations inside the conduits are highly flammable and toxic. These gases will migrate alongside the conduits to junction bins, change panels, distribution boards, motor management facilities, 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, swap or relay inflicting the fire to unfold to another location.
Conclusion
The reputation of “Halogen Free” whereas ignoring the opposite toxic parts of fireside is a clear admission we don’t perceive the topic nicely nor can we easily outline the risks of mixed poisonous components or human physiological response to them. It is essential nonetheless, that we don’t continue to design with solely half an understanding of the problem. While no perfect resolution exists for natural based cables, we can actually reduce these critically important results of fireside threat:
One choice possibly to decide on cable insulations and jacket supplies that are halogen free and have a low gasoline factor, then install them in metal conduit or possibly the American method is better: to make use of extremely halogenated insulations so that in case of fire any flame unfold is minimized.
For most power, control, communication and information circuits there is one full answer available for all the problems raised in this paper. It is an answer which has been used reliably for over 80 years. MICC cables can provide a total and full reply to all the issues associated with the fire safety of natural polymer cables.
The copper jacket, magnesium oxide insulation and copper conductors of MICC make sure the cable is effectively fireplace proof. MICC cables don’t have any organic content so simply cannot propagate flame or generate any smoke. The zero gasoline load ensures no warmth is added and no oxygen is consumed.
Being inorganic MICC cables can’t generate any halogen or poisonous gasses in any respect together with CO.
Unfortunately many frequent cable fire check strategies used right now may inadvertently mislead folks into believing the polymeric flexible cable merchandise they buy and use will carry out as expected in all fire conditions. As outlined in this paper, sadly this may not be right.
For extra info, go to www.temperature-house.com
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