Fire Resistant and Fire Retardant cables are being used increasingly due to their usefulness in the event of fire.
However, though they both sound similar, they have vastly different uses and react differently in the event of a fire.
Heat Resistant: It will operate as normal at high temperatures, but may not operate as normal in the event of a fire.
Fire Retardant: It will not operate as normal within fire conditions, but will actively prevent the fire from spreading.
Fire Resistant: It can operate as normal within fire conditions.
Conclusion:
In brief, Fire retardant cables are designed to resist the spread of fire into a new area. It would not maintain circuit continuity for Work.
Fire resistant or fire rated cables are designed to maintain circuit integrity and continue to work, allowing power to be transferred through it under defined for a specified period of time and conditions.
The distinction between the two is crucial when it comes to maintaining critical circuits required for life safety or for a safe and immediate plant shutdown.
Fire resistant cables are used in critical electrical circuits, such as safety circuits and life support circuits which are required to function in the case of emergencies.
Flame retardant cables on the other hand are used in all other circuits so if there’s a fire, they can curb its spread. A flame resistant cable will be passed as per IEC 60331 and are encased in a red outer sheathes. Flame retardant cables behavior under fire is predefined as per passing the IEC 60332 and are encased in a grey or black outer sheathe.
Fire resistant (fire rated) cables Continues to operate in the presence of fire, hence their reference as Circuit Integrity cables.
Flame retardant cables Fire performance limited to not propagating fire.
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