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Wire & Cable ASIA – September/October 2007
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Decision of 27
th
October 2006 amending
Decision 2000/147/EC implementing
Council Directive 89/106/EC as regards
the classification of the reaction-to-fire
performance of construction products. It
defines the test methods “FIPEC
20
Scen
2” and “FIPEC
20
Scen 1” given in the
Commission Decision.
The essential requirements of the
Commission Decision are given in
Figure 4
.
Although the prEN50399 test equip-
ment is based upon the pre-existing
IEC60332-3 series, results from the
two procedures are not comparable
because the prEN50399 procedure
is based upon a standardised “worse
case” cable mounting as adopted in the
Decision, whereas the IEC procedure
is based upon an “as installed” cable mounting. Smoke
production is measured in the dynamic prEN50399 test
but the resolution is such that the test is not capable
of measuring the low levels of smoke associated with
state-of-the-art low smoke cables for metro applications
and the like. The IEC(EN)61034-2 method is therefore
included to assess the highest class. Acidity is assessed
using the existing EN50267-2-3 method which is
technically equivalent to IEC60754-2.
With the publication of the Commission Decision, the
question as to the availability of classified cables becomes
relevant. Although all the test methods required are
available, at least in draft form, there can be no cables
CE marked under the CPD for their reaction to fire
performance on the market until all the standards required
to support such marking are available.
In order to enable Notified Bodies to issue certification of
product conformity, it is necessary to prepare European
Harmonised Product Standards (ENs) and other
supporting standards under Mandate of the European
Commission.
CENELEC has to develop and publish these standards and
until the time of publication of these Mandated standards,
it is not possible to officially issue any Certification for
CE Marking under the CPD for reaction to fire performance
of cables.
The Mandate (M/443)
(17)
for cables concerning standardi-
sation work for harmonised standards was given to CEN/
CENELEC in June 2009 with a scope covering power,
control and communication, and optical fibre cables for
use in buildings and other civil engineering works subject
to regulation (all voltages included).
For performance characteristics, the scope covers
reaction to fire, resistance to fire and dangerous sub-
stances. CENELEC had accepted the Mandate in principle
and was expected to submit a detailed response with a
work programme within 2009. The first phase of the work
was focused on those documents needed to support
marking for reaction to fire, but it is unlikely that these will
be completed before late 2011.
The Harmonised Product standard is the key to CE
marking under the CPD but development of such a
standard presents a difficult problem as there being
many diverse cable types and the CPD only applies to
their reaction to fire, resistance to fire and dangerous
substances, with other safety parameters are covered
under the LVD. A solution of a performance based
standard that can be applied to any cable type and
specifically covering aspects under the CPD is under
consideration.
The classification standard is an important administrative
document that links test results to a classification and
includes information on the tests to be carried out, the
number of tests for classification, the assessment of
results and the classification criteria. It has been agreed
in principle by CEN and CENELEC that cables will be
included as an amendment to the existing EN 13501-1
so that all products under the CPD are included in
one document.
The test method standard (EN 50399) has to ensure that
the data necessary for classification can be obtained. The
final draft standard is ready for formal vote in CENELEC.
As part of the development of the test method, more than
20 laboratories have taken part in a proving round robin
and repeatability and reproducibility were found to be
comparable with other large scale tests such as the SBI.
Considerable experience (more than 200 tests on cables
representing generic constructions widely used in Europe)
has also been obtained with the test method during the
CEMAC II project which has brought together cable
manufacturers, research and testing laboratories and
research establishments in the implementation process in
order to create the technical background.
A specific objective of the CEMAC II project was to
develop rules and procedures for extended application
of test results (EXAP) that define which constructions
should be tested in order to obtain classification for a
defined family of cable constructions. The final report was
expected before the end of 2009.
Definitive documented rules for extended application
(EXAP) are necessary in order to prevent a situation
where every individual cable design has to be tested for
classification. It is necessary to establish which cables
need to be tested to gain approval for a product range
through rules which enable tests on defined products
within a family to be extrapolated to other similar
constructions within the family.
FEC max = 2.47 at 420 sec
FEC = 0.3 at 7.5 sec
FED max = 0.23 at 1200sec
no FED = 0.3
Time (s)
❍
❍
Figure 5
: Typical output of toxic gas production in an EN50399 test