1 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Objectives By end of this module you should able to: Know What Really

1 of 15Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved.

FIRE ALARM CABLE

Objectives

By end of this module you should able to:

• Know What Really Matters in Selecting the RIGHT Fire Alarm Cable…

• Identify the application.

• Know your cable ratings and where will the cable be installed.

• Fire alarm cable requirements – NEC Article 760

• Cable substitutions

• Understand the type of system - EMI & RFI sensitivity.

• Identify the CCI Fire Alarm Cable Needed• Plenum, Riser or General Purpose

• Shielded or Unshielded

• Determine the CCI part# for your application


FIRE ALARM CABLE

Identify the Application

• Fire Alarms

• Fire Detection & Alarm Notification

• Guard’s Tour

• Sprinkler Water Flow or Sprinkler Supervisory Systems


FIRE ALARM CABLE

Fire Alarm Cables

• NEC Article 760 (Fire Alarm Systems)• Applies to the installation of wiring & equipment of the fire alarm systems including all circuits controlled and power by the fire alarm system.

• Ratings• FPLP – (Plenum Rated) For use within buildings in ducts, plenums or other environmental air spaces.• FPLR – (Riser Rated) For use in within buildings in vertical shafts• FPL - General use in buildings

KNOW YOUR LOCAL AND NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODES!


FIRE ALARM CABLE

Article 760 Cable Substitutions

• Type CM – Communications wire & cable

• Type FPL – Power-limited fire alarm cable

• Cable A shall be permitted to

be used in place of B

• For example, a CMR cable can be substituted for a FPLR cable, but a FPLR cable can not be substituted for a CMR cable.

Cable Substitution Hierarchy


FIRE ALARM CABLE

Plenum vs. Riser

• Plenum • Plenum spaces are defined as any space used as a return passage for environmental air.• The wiring is not required to go through conduit – (unless Chicago or New York)• Fire resistant and low smoke producing characteristics• “Non-Plenum” does not necessarily mean “Riser,” some low-end products are also not riser.

Access Shaft

Floor

Structural Support

Air ReturnSuspended CeilingAir Supply Duct

Plenum Air Handling SpacePlenum Cables

Riser (or Plenum) Cable


FIRE ALARM CABLE

FPLP – Plenum Rated

• For use in Plenums, ducts, or other environmental spaces• Anywhere a building cavity is used as air return• The wiring is not required to go through conduit (unless Chicago/New York)

• Fire resistant, low smoke producing• Most preventative in spread of fire from floor to floor

• Must meet NEC Article 760• Must pass UL test 1424 and UL tunnel test 910

• Most commonly used in commercial installations• Low flame spread, low smoke producing characteristics

• FPLP rated cables can be used in general purpose, riser or plenum applications

• Using riser rated cables in plenum applications is prohibited


FIRE ALARM CABLE

Type of System

Is the system microprocessor based and therefore sensitive to EMI and RFI?

If EMI and RFI are not a concern…

• If the system is computer based, signal interference will be a concern…• SHIELDED cables will protect the circuits from this outside interference and keep the signal constant.

• UNSHIELDED cable are suitable.

***For compatibility verification of the cable type, refer to the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations.


FIRE ALARM CABLE

Shielded vs. Unshielded

• Unshielded Cables • Cost effective for areas where interference (EMI) is not a concern

• Shielded Cables • Offers excellent protection against RFI & EMI

• RFI – Radio Frequency Interference (such as cell phones, radio towers or garage door openers)• EMI – Electro Magnetic Interference (caused by electric motors, ballasts, & other high voltage currents)

• Shielded cables should be used when installing near dimmer panels, light switches, in parallel runs, near neon or fluorescent lights and near power cables


FIRE ALARM CABLE

Cabled vs. Straight Lay

• Cabled• Reduces crosstalk interference from other signals (inside or outside the cable)• Also referred to as “twisted” cables• Most commonly used in fire alarm systems• The majority of CCI products are cabled to cover a wide range of applications and prevent having to stock/manage duplicate sku’s

• Straight Lay• Cost effective for areas where interference is not a concern• Also referred to as “parallel” cables


FIRE ALARM CABLE

Stranded vs. Solid

• Stranded• More flexible • Reduces potential conductor breakage from repeated flexing

• Solid• Industry standard for most fire alarm cable• Easier to terminate• Easier to solder• Lower cost• Less attenuation / signal loss


FIRE ALARM CABLE

Distance & Capacitance

Distance cable will run• Voltage drop should be calculated or refer to equipment

manufacturer’s recommendations• Knowing the distance the cable will run also helps identify

the right gauge size cable to select.• Larger gauge for longer runs

Capacitance • The capacity of the insulation to hold an electric charge• Often, lower capacitance (Picofarrads/foot = pF/ft) translates to a

higher performance cable• May need to meet requirements for specific hardware systems.


FIRE ALARM CABLE

Fire Alarm Cable Requirements

All installations must follow guidelines established by the National Electric Code. Below are some basic practices to remember when installing power-limited fire alarm systems. For a more in-depth review of requirements and installation guidelines, refer to the NEC Code Book.

1. All cables must be listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Lab (UL, ETL, CSA, etc). Check all cables for the proper markings. Refer to NEC Article 760.

2. Comply with local wiring requirements.

3. Only use conductors made of copper.

4. Test wiring for grounds, short circuits, and open faults before the system is placed in operation.

5. Always use the proper gauge of wire to avoid signal loss.

6. Avoid interference when routing wire.

7. Installation shall be made to prevent the spread of fire from floor to floor.

8. A minimum of 6 inches of free conductor is required in each electrical box to facilitate termination.

9. All wiring must be terminated with listed devices.


FIRE ALARM CABLE

Fire Alarm Cable Construction

LEGEND These 4 must appear on all cables Nationally Recognized Testing Lab Standard

DRAIN WIRE

Included on all shielded constructions, used to

ground the shield.

JACKET• PVC• Plenum cables are constructed with low-smoke PVC • Tubed or Extruded Jacket

INSULATION

• PVC

• PolypropyleneSHIELDING

Aluminum Backed Mylar

Size

Conductors

Listing Agency

Mfg. ID NEC Rating Mfg DatePart#Footmarking Mfg.


FIRE ALARM CABLE

• Brand Recognition• Coleman Cable’s brand• Leader in Security, Sound and Fire industries for more than 20 years

• Manufacturing Capabilities• Coleman Cable’s Electronic Cables are produced in our ISO 9001:2000

Certified facilities

• Product Differentiation• Dual Rated• Polypropylene Insulation• Rip cord for ease of stripping• Sequential footage marking to eliminate guess work• Rabbit Pull – High Speed Dispensing System

• Market Position• Strength/Position with Electrical Contractors and Security Installers

Why Signal for Fire Alarm?


FIRE ALARM CABLE

Congratulations!

Congratulations! You should able to:

• Know what really matters in selecting the RIGHT fire alarm cable.

• Identify the CCI fire alarm cable needed

• Select the CCI part# needed for your application

Documents

1 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Objectives By end of this module you should able to: Know What Really