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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