New national application standards
The selection and use of classified cables should be incorporated in
national fire safety regulations and adapted to national safety level.
Now, however, consideration is given to a whole building, beyond pure
escape routes. The risks are also assessed according to type and use of
building. These are essentially as follows:
• Low occupancy and difficult evacuation, e.g. high-rise buildings
• High occupancy and simple evacuation, e.g. theatres, cinemas,
department stores
• High occupancy and difficult evacuation, e.g. hotels, hospitals, high-
rise buildings with public access
As until now requirements relating to the use of cables differed in
Member States, it is hardly surprising that so far suggestions for the
choice of main and additional classifications have also varied widely.
International Standard IEC 60364-4-42 specifies cables which are
non-flame propagating for escape routes in buildings with special
fire risks as well as for premises or places where irreplaceable goods
are endangered (e.g. museums, stations, data centres). This standard
further recommends halogen-free cables with minimum smoke
production (this means: with improved fire safety properties) for
premises or places in which irreplaceable cultural assets are present.
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