Cable & Wire | High quality and excellent service at reasonable prices.
info@zion-communication.com
Author: Luke Publish Time: 20-10-2025 Origin: Site
Standards for fire performance are the foundation of safety compliance for key infrastructure. These define the kinetics of cables during a fire event and help to ascertain whether a fire can continue its functionality, withstand fire, and keep the fire emission as low as possible.
The authoritative institutions, like British Standards Institution (BSI), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), set stringent guidelines for testing to ensure that a cable not only endures extreme temperatures but is still functional and operational when lives are on the line.
The BS 6387:2013 standard classifies fire-resistant cables into three test categories—each simulating a unique hazard environment:
Test Category | Condition | Description | Duration |
Cat. C | Fire resistance | Cables are exposed to flames at 950 °C for 3 hours to test electrical continuity. | 180 min |
Cat. W | Fire with water | After 15 min at 650 °C, the cable is sprayed with water to simulate fire-fighting conditions. | 30 min |
Cat. Z | Fire with mechanical shock | Cables are struck by a steel bar while burning at high temperature to test structural resilience. | 15 min |
A cable that passes all three tests earns the CWZ classification, the highest level of fire performance under BS 6387.
The EN 50200:2015 standard measures how long a cable can maintain circuit integrity during fire exposure and mechanical stress.
Cables are burned at 830–950 °C while subjected to impact every 5 minutes, simulating real-world structural collapse scenarios.
The result is expressed in PH (Performance Hours) classes:
Class | Duration | Application |
PH 15 / PH 30 | 15 – 30 min | Standard building evacuation systems |
PH 60 / PH 90 | 60 – 90 min | Fire alarm and voice evacuation |
PH 120 | 120 min | High-risk areas: tunnels, hospitals, control rooms |
Zion’s EN 50200 PH 120 flexible and solid cables are designed to maintain signal transmission for up to two hours in full fire conditions, exceeding standard requirements and providing an extra layer of safety.
These complementary standards give us additional requirements for fire alarms systems and systems for emergency lighting:
BS 8434-2:2003 +A2:2009. Tests under fire with mechanical shock and water spray (120 minutes) for quality classification of Enhanced Grade (per BS 5839-1 Clause 26.2 E).
BS 7629-1:2015 (standard 60). Rules of construction and testing for 60-minute standard fire cables, mostly used in small commercial or residential projects (Clause 26.2 D).
In practical terms:
Enhanced Grade cables (BS 8434-2) → for life-safety systems requiring extended operation.
Standard Grade cables (BS 7629-1) → for basic fire alarm or voice communication loops.
Beyond flame survival, modern safety codes also address air quality and visibility during fires.
IEC 60754-1 & 2 – Halogen Acid Gas Emission
Measures the amount of acidic and corrosive gases released when cable materials burn.
To pass, the gas solution must have:
pH ≥ 4.3
Conductivity ≤ 100 µS/cm
IEC 61034-2 – Smoke Density
Determines how much light can pass through smoke produced by burning cables.
The transmittance must be ≥ 60 %, ensuring better visibility and safer evacuation.
Fire-resistant cables often include code markings that indicate their certification and performance class:
Marking | Meaning | Fire Duration | Standard |
PH 30 / PH 60 / PH 120 | Circuit integrity for 30–120 min | 30–120 min | EN 50200 |
CWZ | Fire + Water + Shock resistance | Up to 180 min | BS 6387 |
E30 / E60 / E90 | Circuit integrity for 30–90 min | 30–90 min | DIN 4102-12 (VDE 0482) |
Standard 60 / Enhanced 120 | Standard or enhanced grade fire alarm cable | 60 / 120 min | BS 7629-1 / BS 8434-2 |
Understanding these labels helps engineers and installers choose the correct cable for specific environments and safety requirements.
Certification guarantees that the product has been tested independently and is consistent with applicable fire safety standards:
LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board) is the United Kingdom fire cable confidence level certification based on BS 6387 and EN 50200.
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is US standard for fire alarm cables rated for plenum and riser.
CPR (Construction Products Regulation 305/2011) is the European classification used for reaction-to-fire (C-class, s1b, d0, a1).
VDE / RoHS / NFPA – German and international safety and environmental compliance.
Zion Communication carries out all quality and control procedures in-house and through third-party certification companies:
Material verification will entail Insulation, sheath and conductor materials being tested for halogen chemicals and the temperature endurance.
Performance examination is required to also simulate flame, water, and shock under test conditions in BS 6387 CWZ and EN 50200 PH 120.
Electrical testing includes voltage readings and insulation resistance, testing that takes place before and after the fire tests.
This certification audit is given regular reassessment by LPCB, UL, and CPR authorities in order to ensure that the compliance is sustained.
Making efforts to understand fire safety standards, like BS 6387, EN 50200, and BS 8434-2, as well as others, permit one to design safe and compliant electric systems.
Considering their degree of deployment, CWZ, PH 120 or E90 are indeed the boundaries between safety, function, and reliability in any structure in a fire event.
Luke Han is a Product Manager and Director at Zion Communication,
Specializing in fire, security, and alarm solutions. With extensive industry experience,
Dedicated to delivering high-performance, reliable products that are tailored to customer needs.
luke@zion-communication.com
0086 19883212162
