Food & Drink Process & Packaging Issue 15 2017 | Page 11

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. FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 11