Why FS Cable Fire Protection
FS cable coating systems protect against loss of life and loss of production. Our coatings prevent flame propagation and prevent escalation from a small fire to a major incident. FS cable fire protection minimizes impact from short circuits, removes cables as a source of combustion and prevents the release of toxic & poisonous gasses.
Even the smallest of fires from a short circuit or external source can easily cause an enormous loss of production. Industry standards dictate that a damaged cable that takes more than 6 hours to replace is classified as critical and should be fire technically upgraded.
Electrical cables are a natural pathway for a fire to spread rapidly. With FS cable coatings applied the possibility of a fire spreading through the cable routing is eliminated.
Testing cables in an oil fire with an impressive result: Inner cables remain fully intact.
Global insurance companies recognize FS Class and Type Approved cable coatings and even recommend the use of them to protect critical cable routings. This often results in a significant lowering in annual premiums.
Compared to costly installation and expensive maintenance programs of Active Fire Protection Systems, cable coating is a better and more cost-efficient alternative.
The high installation and maintenance cost is the main disadvantage of active systems. Add to this, they may not work properly when a fire occurs.
Active systems are not all designed to extinguish a fire but merely contain it at its early stage. Active systems are reliant on the correct mechanical configuration or manual triggering.
FS fire protected cables always work to ensure that cables remain in service during the first critical stage of a fire incident. This ensures circuit integrity continuity of emergency services and operational electrical components. Most importantly the cables do not need to be replaced after a fire incident.
Compared to both flame-retardant and fire-resistant cables, FS cable coating is a safer and more cost-efficient alternative. Typically, these cables are tested to 830° C for limited periods which in a normal fire scenario is insufficient and certainly so in a Hydrocarbon fire scenario. These cables will need to be replaced or at least repaired after a fire resulting in costly downtime and loss of production. FS coated cables have superior properties and will not need to be replaced if the fire is extinguished within a reasonable time.
Toxicity from burning flame-retardant and fire-resistant cables outer sheaths can mix with humidity in the air or water from active systems and create Hydrochloric Acid which can severely damage sensitive electrical components and systems as well as weakening steel and degrading the concrete. All resulting in loss of life and dramatic damages to critical components.
FS coated cables have excellent Mechanical Resistance and are strong enough to sustain physical abuse such as impact from falling objects and will remain effective protection for many years. Some of FS’s oldest clients have cables that are still in service twenty-five years after our initial application.
Read more: Cable fire protection at an industrial plant.
Passive fire protection vs active systems.
Cable Fire Protection and The Environment.
Active versus Passive Fire Protection.
FS systems reduce or eliminate the need for active fire suppression systems, which use millions of gallons of chemically treated water annually. During fires, this water is polluted further by fire by-products before it seeps into local watersheds. Protecting electrical cables with passive FS systems shields ecosystems from unnecessary damage. At FS, we are committed to continuing our efforts towards sustainability and reducing our own and our end-users’ impact on the environment.
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