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The challenges presented by new legislation in the electrical supply chains can be overcome when the various parties collaborate early in the process, according to AEI Cables.

A number of additional pieces of legislation have been introduced recently which make new demands on electrical and fire safety including the Building Safety Act 2022. The Act makes new stringent requirements for higher-risk buildings which are those deemed to be of at least 18 metres in height or at least seven storeys containing at least two residential units.

Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “When the various parties get together early in the process there is often an agreement on roles and how the project’s legislative requirements can be achieved.

“The shared responsibility is important and helps everyone when we are ultimately dealing with the safety of people moving about in large buildings and spaces.”

Amongst the new legislation under the Building Safety Act is the Golden Thread which requires a comprehensive record to be kept of all safety-related information throughout the lifecycle of a building, emphasising the need for clear communication between all parties.

AEI Cables has also been highlighting the importance of collaboration to help meet the demand for Category 3 Control fire performance cables which are identified under the revised British Standard BS8519: 2020 Code of Practice. These cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire.

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.

The guidance for Category 3 Control fire performance cables applies to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia.

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.