Prysmian Group: BU Multimedia Solutions increases fire safety of its highly shielded Cat.7, Cat.7A and Cat8.2 S/FTP cables

44 percent of the approximately 4,000 people who die in fires each year are the result of toxic gases or smoke. This is mainly because fires cause life-threatening conditions within three minutes. Fifty years ago, this time span was more than 15 minutes. The reason for this dramatic acceleration is the increased use of plastics inside buildings. According to the "World Fire Statistics" report (2006), about 90 percent of all fires start in buildings. The danger of life and limb being damaged by fire is therefore particularly great there - especially as the time to escape is very short. In order to keep fire safety in buildings as high as possible, the nature of the products and materials installed there in terms of their fire behaviour is a decisive factor. Cables are also products in rooms that can burn. They are equally to be considered as smoke generators and ensuring a high fire protection class also plays an essential role for cables.

"We are continuously working on the further development of our copper cables in terms of fire protection without neglecting other important properties such as shielding," says Zoran Borcic, Product Manager Copper Cables, BU Multimedia Solutions, Prysmian Group. With the addition of the highly shielded Triple 1 Dca s1 d1 a1 S/FTP cables in Cat.7, Cat.7A and Cat8.2 categories to its portfolio, MMS combines optimal shielding with high fire protection, very low smoke emission and delayed heat release. "Above all, the new cables ensure the visibility of the escape route in burning buildings. This is an important aspect when you consider that the fire brigade only arrives after around eight minutes, but those fleeing only have three minutes to leave the burning building. Self-rescue is an essential part of today's fire protection concepts," Borcic continues.

Well shielded - completely protected

The new Triple 1 Draka installation and connection cables offer optimum shielding in separation class "d". They fulfill the criteria required in EN50174-2 with regard to distances or the use of separators in cable routes. In addition, they achieve the highest shielding class for coupling attenuation Type I and coupling resistance Grade 1. With these properties, the installation and connection cables ensure compliance with the statutory EMC regulations (EMC = electromagnetic compatibility) and guarantee consistent protection of the Draka cable and the installed system.

Please visit www.draka-cable.com for more information.