Technical knowledge is critical to meeting new compliance
Choosing
the correct cabling for safety under the new regulatory regime is critical for
safety in the construction industry supply chain, says AEI Cables.
As
the new Building Safety Regulator starts to make enforcement for
non-compliance, AEI Cables is meeting requests from customers to ensure they
stay within the legal framework of the new Building Safety Act and its
requirements.
Stuart
Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “This is a difficult time for the
construction supply industry and those addressing the new legislation including
electrical cabling requirements.
“We
believe in using the correct and most relevant cabling to meet specific needs
for all reasons of safety. We are happy to answer queries with our technical
help as it may save a lot of time and effort and help our customers and others
keep within the legal limits of the act.”
The
company is highlighting the need for Category 3 fire performance cables where
relevant at the upper end of compliance which are designed to withstand heat and flames for up to
120 minutes, helping to protect equipment and
providing enhanced emergency power to assist firefighters.
These
cables support critical safety
circuits in tall
buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia.
The
systems powered by these cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems –
assist fire services in firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life
safety. These cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the
event of a real fire.
Category 1 fire performance cables guarantee 30 minutes of
defence against flames, making them ideal for emergency lighting, while
Category 2 cables give 60 minutes of fire protection and are commonly used for
alarm systems.
AEI
Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to
BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control. The BS
Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for
power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30,
60 or 120 minutes.
All
AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals
from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB. It also holds approvals from
organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and works to
international standards around the world. For more information tel 0191 410 3111 or email sales@aeicables.co.uk.