What type of cable is used in a fire alarm system?

Common cable types for fire alarm systems

1.Fire resistant cables:

Fire resistant cables can maintain the normal operation of the circuit in flames for a certain period of time (such as 90 minutes), and are suitable for critical circuits of fire alarm systems, such as power lines and control lines.

2.Flame retardant cable:

Flame retardant cables can limit the spread of flames and reduce the risk of fire during combustion. This type of cable is commonly used for signal transmission lines in fire alarm systems, such as alarm buses.

3.Low smoke and halogen-free cables:

Low smoke halogen-free cables generate less smoke and toxic gases during combustion, which is beneficial for the evacuation and rescue of personnel in the event of a fire. This type of cable is also receiving increasing attention in fire alarm systems.

4.Mineral insulated cables:

Mineral insulated cables use mineral compounds as insulation materials, which can withstand high temperatures, are not easily flammable, and do not produce toxic gases. It is suitable for fire alarm systems that require high fire resistance and safety.

Copper core cross-linked polyethylene insulated polyvinyl chloride sheathed flame-retardant cable:

This type of cable has good electrical and flame retardant properties and is suitable for various circuits of fire alarm systems.

5.Combustion performance level:

According to the requirements of the "Design Specification for Fire Automatic Alarm System" GB50116-2013 and the "General Specification for Fire Protection Facilities", the power supply line, fire linkage control line, alarm bus, fire emergency broadcast, and fire dedicated telephone transmission line of the fire automatic alarm system should use copper core wires and cables with combustion performance not less than B2 level.

Introduction to Fire Alarm Cable Structure

1.Rated voltage:

According to the usage scenario and safety requirements of the cable, the rated voltage of the fire alarm cable is generally not lower than AC 300/500V, or may reach a higher voltage level under specific circumstances.

2.Conductor material:

The conductor of fire alarm cables is usually made of high conductivity copper core to ensure smooth current flow and stable conduction efficiency. Conductors can be solid or multi stranded copper conductors, depending on the specifications and purpose of the cable.

3.Insulation and sheathing materials:

❶Insulation material: The insulation layer of the cable is made of materials with high insulation performance, such as cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), to effectively isolate current and prevent interference and short circuit problems between circuits.

❷Sheath material: The sheath layer protects the cable from external environmental damage, usually using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other similar materials with good flame retardant properties. These materials can maintain a certain fire resistance time in the event of a fire, ensuring that the cable can still function properly in the event of a fire.

4.Specific performance requirements:

❶Fire resistance performance: Fire alarm cables must have good fire resistance performance, be able to maintain the integrity and transmission capacity of the wires in the event of a fire, and ensure the normal operation of the fire alarm system.

❷High temperature resistance: The cable can work for a long time in a high temperature environment without causing wire aging or damage due to excessive temperature.

❸Flame resistance: The cable is not easily combustible or produces harmful gases in the event of a fire, to ensure personnel safety.

❹Anti interference performance: Fire alarm cables usually adopt a double shielding structure (such as copper tape shielding+copper wire braided double shielding) to improve their anti-interference performance and ensure stable and reliable signal transmission.

5.Specifications and models:

The specifications and models of fire alarm cables are diverse, depending on factors such as the number of cores and cross-sectional area of the cable. Common specifications include RVVB, RVVP, KVV, etc., while models may include more specific identifiers, such as ZRBPYJVP12R-TK.

6.Installation and wiring requirements:

The installation and wiring of fire alarm cables should strictly follow relevant standards and specifications to ensure the safety and reliability of the cables. For example, cables should be buried or protected by metal pipes, flexible (metal) electrical conduits, and mixed wiring with other lines should be avoided.

What are the usage scenarios of fire alarm cables?

1.Industrial production scenarios:

❶Oil and electricity transmission institutions: Among these institutions, the risk of fire is relatively high, and once a fire occurs, the consequences may be extremely serious. Temperature sensing cables are particularly suitable for such scenarios due to their ability to provide normal fire warning in humid, polluted, and dusty environments.

❷Large warehouses and freight yards: Large warehouses and freight yards typically store a large amount of flammable and explosive materials, and the environment may have poor ventilation and high levels of dust. The laying of temperature sensing cables can effectively prevent the rapid spread of single point fires, providing the possibility for timely detection and control of fires.

❸Subway and construction tunnel: The environment of subway and construction tunnel is dark and humid, with intricate pipelines. The laying of temperature sensing cables can timely detect potential fires caused by wire aging, short circuits, etc., ensuring personnel safety.

2.Fire safety system:

❶Fire protection equipment power supply: Fire protection cables can maintain normal operation in high-temperature environments, providing stable power support for fire protection equipment such as fire pumps, fire elevators, and fire monitoring, ensuring that these equipment can operate normally in the event of a fire.

❷Emergency lighting power supply: In the event of a fire, the normal power supply may be interrupted. Fireproof cables can provide power support for emergency lighting systems, ensuring necessary lighting for personnel during evacuation and rescue processes.

3.Power supply for important locations:

❶Data centers, telecommunications rooms: The equipment and systems in these places require continuous power supply to ensure normal operation. Fireproof cables can maintain normal operation in high-temperature environments, providing stable power support for these places.

❷Petrochemical and other places: These places usually contain flammable and explosive materials, with a high risk of fire. The laying of fire-resistant cables can ensure that critical equipment and systems can continue to operate in the event of a fire, providing possibilities for fire control and rescue.

4.High rise building power supply:

The height and scale of high-rise buildings are relatively large, and once a fire occurs, it is easy for the fire to spread rapidly. Fireproof cables can provide stable electrical support for firefighting equipment and emergency lighting in high-rise buildings, ensuring timely evacuation and escape of personnel in the event of a fire.

5.Other scenarios:

Fire alarm cables are often used in parking lots, shopping centers, scenic spots, and other places to ensure timely alarm and protect people's lives and property safety in the event of a fire.