1 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Objectives By end of this module you should able to: Know What Really Matters in Selecting the RIGHT Fire Alarm Cable… Identify the application. Know your cable ratings and where will the cable be installed. Fire alarm cable requirements – NEC Article 760 Cable substitutions Understand the type of system - EMI & RFI sensitivity. Identify the CCI Fire Alarm Cable Needed Plenum, Riser or General Purpose Shielded or Unshielded Determine the CCI part# for your application

2 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Identify the Application Fire Alarms Fire Detection & Alarm Notification Guard’s Tour Sprinkler Water Flow or Sprinkler Supervisory Systems

3 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Fire Alarm Cables NEC Article 760 (Fire Alarm Systems) Applies to the installation of wiring & equipment of the fire alarm systems including all circuits controlled and power by the fire alarm system. Ratings FPLP – (Plenum Rated) For use within buildings in ducts, plenums or other environmental air spaces. FPLR – (Riser Rated) For use in within buildings in vertical shafts FPL - General use in buildings KNOW YOUR LOCAL AND NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODES!

4 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Article 760 Cable Substitutions Type CM – Communications wire & cable Type FPL – Power-limited fire alarm cable Cable A shall be permitted to be used in place of B For example, a CMR cable can be substituted for a FPLR cable, but a FPLR cable can not be substituted for a CMR cable. Cable Substitution Hierarchy

5 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Plenum vs. Riser Plenum Plenum spaces are defined as any space used as a return passage for environmental air. The wiring is not required to go through conduit – (unless Chicago or New York) Fire resistant and low smoke producing characteristics “Non-Plenum” does not necessarily mean “Riser,” some low-end products are also not riser. Access Shaft Floor Structural Support Air Return Suspended Ceiling Air Supply Duct Plenum Air Handling Space Plenum Cables Riser (or Plenum) Cable

6 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE FPLP – Plenum Rated For use in Plenums, ducts, or other environmental spaces Anywhere a building cavity is used as air return The wiring is not required to go through conduit (unless Chicago/New York) Fire resistant, low smoke producing Most preventative in spread of fire from floor to floor Must meet NEC Article 760 Must pass UL test 1424 and UL tunnel test 910 Most commonly used in commercial installations Low flame spread, low smoke producing characteristics FPLP rated cables can be used in general purpose, riser or plenum applications Using riser rated cables in plenum applications is prohibited

7 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Type of System Is the system microprocessor based and therefore sensitive to EMI and RFI? If EMI and RFI are not a concern… If the system is computer based, signal interference will be a concern… SHIELDED cables will protect the circuits from this outside interference and keep the signal constant. UNSHIELDED cable are suitable. ***For compatibility verification of the cable type, refer to the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations.

8 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Shielded vs. Unshielded Unshielded Cables Cost effective for areas where interference (EMI) is not a concern Shielded Cables Offers excellent protection against RFI & EMI RFI – Radio Frequency Interference (such as cell phones, radio towers or garage door openers) EMI – Electro Magnetic Interference (caused by electric motors, ballasts, & other high voltage currents) Shielded cables should be used when installing near dimmer panels, light switches, in parallel runs, near neon or fluorescent lights and near power cables

9 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Cabled vs. Straight Lay Cabled Reduces crosstalk interference from other signals (inside or outside the cable) Also referred to as “twisted” cables Most commonly used in fire alarm systems The majority of CCI products are cabled to cover a wide range of applications and prevent having to stock/manage duplicate sku’s Straight Lay Cost effective for areas where interference is not a concern Also referred to as “parallel” cables

10 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Stranded vs. Solid Stranded More flexible Reduces potential conductor breakage from repeated flexing Solid Industry standard for most fire alarm cable Easier to terminate Easier to solder Lower cost Less attenuation / signal loss

11 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Distance & Capacitance Distance cable will run Voltage drop should be calculated or refer to equipment manufacturer’s recommendations Knowing the distance the cable will run also helps identify the right gauge size cable to select. Larger gauge for longer runs Capacitance The capacity of the insulation to hold an electric charge Often, lower capacitance (Picofarrads/foot = pF/ft) translates to a higher performance cable May need to meet requirements for specific hardware systems.

12 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Fire Alarm Cable Requirements All installations must follow guidelines established by the National Electric Code. Below are some basic practices to remember when installing power-limited fire alarm systems. For a more in-depth review of requirements and installation guidelines, refer to the NEC Code Book. 1.All cables must be listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Lab (UL, ETL, CSA, etc). Check all cables for the proper markings. Refer to NEC Article Comply with local wiring requirements. 3. Only use conductors made of copper. 4. Test wiring for grounds, short circuits, and open faults before the system is placed in operation. 5. Always use the proper gauge of wire to avoid signal loss. 6. Avoid interference when routing wire. 7. Installation shall be made to prevent the spread of fire from floor to floor. 8. A minimum of 6 inches of free conductor is required in each electrical box to facilitate termination. 9. All wiring must be terminated with listed devices.

13 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Fire Alarm Cable Construction LEGEND These 4 must appear on all cables Nationally Recognized Testing Lab Standard DRAIN WIRE Included on all shielded constructions, used to ground the shield. JACKET PVC Plenum cables are constructed with low-smoke PVC Tubed or Extruded Jacket INSULATION PVC Polypropylene SHIELDING Aluminum Backed Mylar Size Conductors Listing Agency Mfg. ID NEC Rating Mfg Date Part# Footmarking Mfg.

14 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Brand Recognition Coleman Cable’s brand Leader in Security, Sound and Fire industries for more than 20 years Manufacturing Capabilities Coleman Cable’s Electronic Cables are produced in our ISO 9001:2000 Certified facilities Product Differentiation Dual Rated Polypropylene Insulation Rip cord for ease of stripping Sequential footage marking to eliminate guess work Rabbit Pull – High Speed Dispensing System Market Position Strength/Position with Electrical Contractors and Security Installers Why Signal for Fire Alarm?

15 of 15 Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved. FIRE ALARM CABLE Congratulations! Congratulations! You should able to: Know what really matters in selecting the RIGHT fire alarm cable. Identify the CCI fire alarm cable needed Select the CCI part# needed for your application