Keep Up to Code Fire Alarm Cable Types

Keep Up to Code: Fire Alarm Cable Types

One of the simplest components you’ll makeuse of during the install is the cabling thatstrings everything together, but you may besurprised that it is broken down into severaldifferent designations of cable types by theNFPA (National Fire Protection Association)and NEC (National Electric Code), with eachtype being useful for its own set of scenarios.Sound confusing? Well, here I’ll lay out themain types and go into some detail on thespecifics of Fire Alarm Cable.

The first thing you will want to considerbefore starting your project is whether or notyour setup will require the use of Non-PowerLimited cable, as all of the subtypes fall intoone of these two categories. The difference inwhich you use all depends on how high a loadthe cables will have to bear. This is where theregulations come in: the NEC defines anyapplication with a load in excess of 300 voltsto require the use of Non-Power Limitedcables. In practical terms, this means that onlylarger commercial alarm systems are likely tohave to make use of these, and the vastmajority of other cases will be fine with justPower Limited cable.

As mentioned above, there are three main ‘subtypes’ of alarm cable that are each held to their own set of NEC standards which define their safety thresholds and how and where they can be used. Plenum cable is held to the highest standard of the three, general purpose (also known as Non-Plenum) is the lowest, and riser is in the middle. Let’s look at what makes them different.Plenum cable is made to be used in areas of buildings called ‘plenum spaces.’ A plenum space is aspace - typically a duct or drop ceiling - where airflow is promoted for the purposes of heating,ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Due to the enclosed yet breathable nature of these spacesthey present a high risk for the spreading of fires, which is why plenum cabling is the most tightlyregulated of the three types. Per NFPA code, plenum cable must always be used in any plenumspace. However, it is also important to note that since plenum cable is the most fire-resistant of thethree, it can be used anywhere the other two types can, but not the other way around. The NECabbreviation for it is FPLP (Fire Power Limited Plenum) when Power Limited, and NFPLP whennot.

Riser cable, or FPLR as it is shortened to, is the next step down from plenum, and serves a fairly similar purpose. Like plenum, it is jacketed in a fire resistant jacket. Rather than be used in plenum spaces, though, riser cable is required for areas that run vertically between levels of a building, and are meant to help contain a fire to one floor.Lastly we have regular old general use cabling, or as it is usually known, Non-Plenum (FPL). Theleast strictly regulated of the three, it is still a type of fire alarm cable and therefore does have fireresistant capabilities. Non-plenum cable is suitable for use in any scenario that the other two aren’trequired for, which will mostly be surface cabling.

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