A fire can produce corrosive halogen gases, generated by burning PVC or chlorine containing material. HCI gas combines with the water in the eyes, mouth, throat, nose and lungs to form hydrochloric acid, which contributes to loss of co-ordination and orientation. This in turn can lead to a feeling

A fire can produce corrosive halogen gases, generated by burning PVC or chlorine containing material. HCI gas combines with the water in the eyes, mouth, throat, nose and lungs to form hydrochloric acid, which contributes to loss of co-ordination and orientation. This in turn can lead to a feeling of panic and inability to exit the building, thus increasing potential fatalities by inhalation of carbon monoxide and oxygen depletion.

Additional dangers exist in a fire situation. Chlorine, bromine or fluorine, found in building materials, can combine with the condensation on all metallic materials in the proximity of a fire thus resulting in high levels of corrosion which will damage computers and office machines. Structural ferrous metals can be so corroded that the building has to be demolished.

IEC 60754-2specifies a method in determining the degree of acidity of gases evolved during the combustion of materials taken from electric cables by measuring pH and conductivity. This standard requires the weighted pH value of not less than 4.3 when related to 1litre of water, and the weighted value of conductivity should not exceed 10μS/mm.

Construction

1. Conductor : Plain Annealed Copper

2. Fire Barrier : Mica Tape

3. Insulation : (a) XLPE Compound or

(b) XLEVA Compound

4. Bedding : LSZH Compound

5. Armouring : Aluminium Wire

6. Sheath : LSZH Compound

7. Colour : Insulation - Natural Sheath - Orange

Technical data

Reference Standard : IEC 60502 / BS 7211

Test Standard : IEC 60331 (Cat A, B, C): BS 6387 (C, W, Z), SS229 (C, W, Z): IEC 60332-3, BS 4066: IEC 60754, BS 6425: IEC 61034, BS 7622-Part 2

Voltage Uo/U : 600/1000V

Conductor Stranding : Class 2

Operating Temperature : (a) Max 90°C for XLPE (b) Max 110°C for XLEVA

Minimum Bending Radius : 8D for unarmoured cable 10D for armoured cable