New regulations governing cables used in buildings
The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) is a mandatory regulatory system that makes it possible to compare the properties of different products. All manufacturers and distributors that supply building products to European Economic Area fall under CPR and its requirements.
All manufacturers and distributors supplying cable products into Europe fall under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) requirements for ‘reaction to fire requirements’. This covers power, control and communications cables to be permanently incorporated in buildings and civil engineering works.
The aim is to unify products’ fire protection levels to better protect people in buildings from the effects of a fire in an emergency. Each EU member state has to define the minimum fire class required for the different applications, which means requirements can differ significantly throughout Europe. Numerous organizations have published recommendations of their own, sometimes significantly higher than the legal minimum requirement.
As of July 1, 2017, cables installed permanently in buildings must be tested and labelled to indicate their fire behaviour. This includes pre-assembled cabling links intended to remain in the building permanently. Data installation cables – both copper and FO – are particularly affected by the directive. Fire performance classes for copper and fibre cables have been defined in line with CPR. Different levels may be prescribed for different areas in relation to risk levels.
Mandatory compliance and Declaration of Performance
Only products which have been awarded European Classification under the new standard can be sold in the EU. Contractors and installers, consultants, architects, building owners, specifiers and other parties need to include the new regulations in their tender books and specifications.
Cabling manufacturers are required to use authorized bodies for fire testing and factory inspections. Once cables have been assessed and approved according to these systems, manufacturers may draw up a Declaration of Performance (DoP) indicating CPR compliance. This mandatory document is made publicly available. The DoP has to contain a unique reference number and cable type description, its Euroclass and s/a/d classifications according to EN 50575 and the ID number of the Notified Body responsible for testing. This information and the CE mark need to be visible on the drum or box containing the cable. It is also permitted, although not mandatory, to include CPR information on the cable sheath.
When specifying, for example, cabling systems for high-quality network infrastructures, it is essential to ensure these meet European and international safety, fire and health standards. Products for all fire protection classes are now available, making it possible to meet CPR requirements. Cables currently in stock that were produced before these regulations came into force may still be sold. There is no change to products with existing part numbers. It is advisable to ask suppliers whether their entire range meets European and international regulations for safety, fire and health. When it doubt, do not hesitate to consult an expert.
Fire behavior according to the CPR
The fire behavior of cables is classified as follows:
• Main criterion: Flame propagation and heat release (EN 60332-1, EN 50399)
• Additional criteria: Smoke production (EN 50399, EN 61034-2), corrosivity (EN 50267-2-3) and flaming droplets (EN 50399)
EN 13501-6 defines the combinations in which the above test criteria may occur. The harmonized standard EN 50575 ultimately defines how the CPR is to be implemented for cabling and specifies the new fire protection classes.
There are seven new Euro classes: Aca, B1ca, B2ca, Cca, Dca, Eca and Fca
Four of these are relevant to data cabling. B2ca, Cca, Dca, Eca
R&M has adjusted and extended its cabling range to meet European and international safety, fire and health standards at an early stage and offers products for all fire protection classes.
Discover more and download R&M’s CPR recommendation chart here.
Reichle & De-Massari UK Ltd
+44 (0) 203 693 7595
