What is FP500?

FP500

FP500

The Ultimate control cable for Category 3 Control cable for BS8519-2020

What is FP500?

 

Prysmian FP fire-resistant cables have been produced in the UK for nearly 50 years. FP500 is the latest addition to the Prysmian fire performance cable range. It is fire-resistant and plays a crucial role in ensuring life safety and fire-fighting systems function during emergencies in accordance with BS8519:2020 requirements.

BS8519:2020 and Mechanical Protection
 

BS 8519:2020 emphasizes the importance of mechanically protected Category 3 control cables. But what exactly does this mean?

 

BS 8519:2020 refers to these fire tests:

 

  1.  BS EN 50200:2015: Method of test for resistance to fire of unprotected small cables for use in emergency circuits.

  2.  BS 8434-2: Methods of test for assessment of the fire integrity of electric cables – Part 2: Test for unprotected small cables for use in emergency circuits. BS EN 50200 with 930° flame and with water spray.

     

These are examples of the fire tests used and referenced in BS 8519:2020 for Category 1 & 2 control cables. Prysmian recommends FP200 Gold (Cat 1) and FP PLUS (Cat 2) against these standards as they meet the construction specification BS 7629-1 and are therefore unprotected. For Category 3 applications, Prysmian recommends FP500, which has the required mechanical protection, built in.

 

Note: A British Standard construction specification has not been developed that includes FP500 so its selection can be supported by implementing Annex J (informative) Variation from the recommendations of BS 8519:2020 page 38.

Mechanical Protection Requirements
 

BS 8519:2020 refers to mechanically protecting unprotected Category 3 control cables as follows:

  •  Clause 9: Category 3 fire-resistant control cables should be installed from each ATS to the generator to provide the start signal and status indication in the event of the loss of supply to an individual ATS. Unprotected fire-resistant control cables should be further protected in areas where mechanical damage is likely (e.g., armoured cable or cable tray with lid).
  •  Clause 11: When a Category 3 control cable is used as a single-phase small power cable, then a mechanically protected (e.g., armoured) cable should be used, or additional mechanical protection should be provided.

Cost Comparison
 

A BS 7629-1, Category 3 cable needing additional mechanical protection will have a total installed cost of ‘£X’

 

That is: cable / cable tray with lid + fixings / labour = ‘£X’

 

FP500 has the mechanical protection built in and will have a different total installed cost of ‘£Y’

 

That is:  cable / cable tray / labour = ‘£Y

Key Features of FP500
 

  1. Design Purpose:

    FP500 is designed to satisfy cat 3 control cable requirements for BS 8519 in life safety and fire-fighting systems. It serves as part of the control circuitry for life safety and fire-fighting systems that must operate in the event of fire.

     

  2. Applications include:

    LV life safety control panel supplies (single phase) including fire-fighting applications, typical examples of systems include:

    - Wet mist systems (control valves and panels)

    - Fire mains and sprinkler (control valves and panels)

    - Automatic transfer switches 

    - Generator signals and status monitoring 

    - LV panels-Single phase supplies, power supply status

    - Normal lighting in fire fighter's stairs and control centre

     

  3. Protection: 

    FP500 features galvanised steel wire armour (SWA) for robust mechanical protection. Unlike unarmoured Cat 3 control cables, FP500 eliminates the need for additional mechanical protection.

     

  4. British Standards Compliance:

    FP500 undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it continues to work in the event of fire and it meets the requirements of the three British Standard fire tests for category 3 control cables in BS8519:2020:

    A) BS EN 50200: Tests resistance to fire and mechanical impact for small cables with a 120-minute duration.

    B) BS 8434-2: Assesses circuit integrity when exposed to direct flame, mechanical shock, and water spray for 120 minutes.

    C) BS 8519:2020 Annex D: Assesses circuit integrity with 115 minutes of direct flame and shock followed by 5 minutes of water spray.

Conclusion
 

FP500 is a mechanically protected Category 3 fire-resistant control cable designed to meet the needs of BS8519-2020. It provides excellent mechanical protection, ensuring durability even in harsh conditions, without the need for additional mechanical safeguards. 

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