AEI Cables Ltd - Experts & Thought Leaders

Many of the new requirements under the new Building Safety Act 2022 are still not understood by those making critical decisions in the fire safety supply chain, says cable supplier - AEI Cables. The Act – introduced in October 2023 makes new requirements for higher-risk buildings, which are those deemed to be at least 18 meters in height or at least seven stories containing at least two residential units. safe evacuation The appeal for more easily understood information from the regulator comes following an earlier study from built environment specification experts - NBS showed that half of respondents were either unsure or had no idea of duty holder responsibilities for higher-risk buildings. The systems in these buildings powered by electrical cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – assist fire services in firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life safety. safety for electrical cables The Building Safety Regulator will oversee the safety and performance of all buildings Stuart Dover, General Manager of AEI Cables, said, "We are keen to share our guidance on safety for electrical cables, which provide power for many of the building safety systems in high-rise buildings, but any further clear guidance from the regulator in the application of the details would be welcomed by the supply chain." The Building Safety Regulator will oversee the safety and performance of all buildings, as well as having a special focus on high-rise buildings. It will promote competence and organizational capability within the sector including for building control professionals and tradespeople. Firetec Enhanced cabling Building owners should have their building safety regime in place and any occupied higher-risk buildings should be registered with the Building Safety Regulator. AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control. The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30, 60, or 120 minutes.

AEI Cables is issuing a reminder to the electrical cables supply chain to keep safety at the front of mind when it comes to Category 3 Control fire performance cables. The systems powered by these cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – assist fire services in firefighting and enabling safe evacuation in the case of life safety. Category 3 Control fire performance cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases, and flame spread in the event of a real fire. safety is the priority Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said, “We’re advising those in the supply chain to check the guidance on Category 3 Control fire performance cables and ensure safety is the priority. The latest guidance was issued in 2020 but is still entirely relevant for these important cables." “Indeed, these cables also help fire and rescue services to fight a fire and evacuate people in the event of an incident. By incorporating this guidance into the selection of cabling for these critical systems, those people using these striking new buildings can move about in the knowledge that they are safe.” new Code It is primarily intended for use in buildings which, due to their size, height, form, or use, require the installation The Code of Practice for Category 3 Control fire performance cables under BS 8519: 2020. which covers how to select and install fire-resistant power and control cable systems that, in the event of a fire, will maintain their circuit integrity for life safety and firefighting. The new Code is intended to inform and guide designers, contractors, fire engineers, regulators, and enforcers including building control bodies, fire authorities, Health and Safety inspectors, and equipment suppliers and manufacturers. It is primarily intended for use in buildings which, due to their size, height, form, or use, require the installation of life safety and fire-fighting systems, e.g. sprinkler pumps, wet riser pumps, smoke control systems, fire-fighting, and evacuation lifts or other systems as required by a fire engineering strategy. BS 8519:2020 BS 8519:2020 refers to the recommendations of BS 9999 and BS 9991, about the design and installation of the electrical distribution systems for life safety and fire-fighting equipment. The applications of Category 3 Control fire performance cables also apply to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems, and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls, and stadiums. Mineral Insulated Cabling (MIC) Using the very latest in technology and science, the Firetec Total Fire Solutions range offers Mineral Insulated Cabling (MIC), Firetec Enhanced fire performance cabling, accessories, and technical support from the AEI Cables distribution facility at Washington, Tyne and Wear. All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB. It also holds approvals from organizations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail, and LUL and works to international standards around the world.

Cables pioneer - AEI Cables is warning the supply chain not to forget the important implications in the guidance on Category 3 Control fire performance cables among the range of new legislation being introduced in the interests of safety. The systems powered by these cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – assist fire services in firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life safety. Guidance for the selection These cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire AEI Cables has been highlighting the importance of following the technical guidance for the selection and installation of cables for Category 3 Control fire performance cables under the revised British Standard BS8519: 2020 Code of Practice. These cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire. Stuart Dover, General Manager of AEI Cables, said: “We are advising the supply chain not to forget the process and check for selection of cables through this Code of Practice to ensure they are compliant. There is a lot of new legislation emerging currently and this is an important part of this step change to improve governance around the selection of cables for these important applications.” Category 3 Control fire performance The new Code is intended to inform and guide designers, contractors, fire engineers, regulators and enforcers, including building control bodies, fire authorities, health and safety inspectors and equipment suppliers and manufacturers. The guidance for Category 3 Control fire performance cables applies to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings, including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia. BS Code of Practice AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control. The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30, 60, or 120 minutes. All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies, including BASEC and LPCB. It also holds approvals from organizations, including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail, and LUL and works to international standards around the world.

The importance of understanding the revised Code of Practice for Category 3 Control fire performance cables which reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases, and flame spread in the event of a real fire cannot be stressed enough. approved cabling These cables maintain the circuit integrity of a building providing power for essential services and fire-fighting systems for fire and rescue services to carry out a safe evacuation in the case of life safety. AEI Cables has won widespread support for our initiative highlighting the need for only using approved cabling for the range of critical applications of Category 3 Control fire performance cables. applications of Category 3 cables The applications apply to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems Sharon Hodgson, Labour MP for Washington and Sunderland West, is supporting the initiative while other industry organizations have also expressed support including Electrical Safety First and national fire safety membership body The Institution of Fire Prevention Officers (IFPO). The applications of Category 3 Control fire performance cables apply to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems, and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls, and stadia. Circuit integrity The revised Code of Practice for Category 3 Control fire performance cables under BS 8519: 2020 which covers how to select and install fire-resistant power and control cable systems makes various amendments and requires a complete understanding for those in the supply chain. The standard clearly references and clarifies the products and levels of performance that should be used. The new Code is intended to inform and guide designers, contractors, fire engineers, regulators, and enforcers including building control bodies, fire authorities, Health and Safety inspectors, and equipment suppliers and manufacturers. BS 8519:2020 standard BS 8519:2020 makes reference to three categories of circuits required to maintain their circuit integrity It is worth examining the standard itself. Indeed, BS 8519:2020 makes reference to the recommendations of BS 9999 and BS 9991, with regard to the design and installation of the electrical distribution systems for life safety and fire-fighting equipment. It also makes reference to three categories of circuits required to maintain their circuit integrity under defined fire conditions for varying fire survival times of 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 120 minutes. Appropriate cable tests are identified for each cable category derived from applicable British Standards, assessing cable performance under fire conditions that might be expected in a real fire incident. Critical systems BS 8519:2020 also aims to ensure that the level of circuit fire integrity is not compromised by other components of the whole electrical distribution system, including cable glands, terminations, joints, and cable support systems. The revised standard supersedes BS 8519:2010 and includes added recognition of other critical systems, other than life safety or fire-fighting applications; added information on uninterruptable power supplies, and further detailed recommendations for the design and selection of the cable enclosure support systems. Use in buildings  It is for use in buildings that, due to their size, height, form, or use, require the installation of life safety systems There are also recommendations for internal and external fire stopping to maintain the switch room fire compartmentation and the need to cater to the thermal expansion of the cable protective enclosure. It is primarily intended for use in buildings that, due to their size, height, form, or use, require the installation of life safety and fire-fighting systems, for example, sprinkler pumps, wet riser pumps, smoke control systems, fire-fighting, and evacuation lifts or other systems as required by a fire engineering strategy. International standards AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control. The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30, 60, or 120 minutes. Using the very latest in technology and science, the Firetec Total Fire Solutions range offers Mineral Insulated Cabling (MIC), Firetec Enhanced fire performance cabling, accessories, and technical support from the AEI Cables distribution facility at Washington, Tyne and Wear. Approvals  All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB. It also holds licenses from organizations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail, and LUL and works to international standards around the world. By incorporating this guidance into the selection of cabling for these critical systems, those people using these striking new buildings can move about safely in the knowledge that they are safe.

We at AEI Cables have sent out a message to the supply chain highlighting the need to use only approved cabling in critical signal and control equipment following the announcement of a revized version of the Code of Practice covering these areas of performance. In an open letter to customers, industry bodies and organizations, we are highlighting how the systems powered by these cables –including smoke and heat extraction systems–are critical in assisting fire services in the case of fire fighting and a safe evacuation. BS8519 Category 3 Control Cable AEI is the only supplier in the UK with independent approval from LPCB for BS8519 Category 3 Control fire performance cables with a fire survival time of up to 120 minutes. We feel strongly about this issue as a matter of safety and compliance. Using inferior types of cable for these applications is dangerous and poses a major risk. Some of these systems will simply not survive in a fire if a sub-standard cable is installed. Category 3 Control fire performance cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a fire. evacuation alarms The application of Category 3 Control fire performance cables also applies to evacuation alarms for the disabled Indeed, these cables also help fire and rescue services fighting a fire and evacuating people. The standard references and clarifies the products and levels of performance that should be used for all parts of the supply chain from specifiers to contractors and installers. The application of Category 3 Control fire performance cables also applies to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, care homes, shopping malls and stadia. AEI Cables’ FiretecEnhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control.The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes. Mineral Insulated Cabling The Firetec Total Fire Solutions range offers Mineral Insulated Cabling (MIC), FiretecEnhanced fire performance cabling, accessories and technical support from the AEI Cables distribution facility at Washington, Tyne and Wear. All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB. It also holds approvals from organizations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and works to international standards around the world.

Only approved cabling should be used in critical signal and control equipment in the event of a real fire - and the announcement of a revized version of the Code of Practice covering these areas of performance clarifies the detail. The equipment served by these cables - including smoke and heat extraction systems - assists fire services in the case of firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life safety. fire performance cables As the only supplier in the UK with independent approval from LPCB for BS8519 Category 3 Control fire performance cables with a fire survival time of up to 120 minutes, AEI Cables is highlighting the reference in the new revized version of the standard. The standard clearly references and clarifies the products and levels of performance that should be used for all parts of the supply chain from specifiers to contractors and installers.Anything inferior installed is dangerous and could lead to systems simply not surviving in a fire Anything inferior installed is dangerous and could lead to some of these systems simply not surviving in a fire with the dangers that brings. These cables reduce the risk to life through the reduction of harmful smoke, toxic gases, and reduced flame spread. We should all strive to achieve the highest performance possible. Safe evacuation There are many cases of cable failure where the products will simply not perform as specified and are not fit for the intended purpose. If in doubt, specifiers and installers should check with their supplier for advice. Fire and rescue services depend on these systems to help fighting a fire and the safe evacuation of those who may be in the building – installing the wrong products can be catastrophic. Quality of cabling is crucial From care homes to offices The applications of Category 3 Control fire performance cables also applies to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, care homes, shopping malls and stadia.The government has committed to progressing new legislation following the Grenfell disaster Meanwhile, the government has committed to progressing new legislation following the Grenfell disaster and outlined the concept of duty holders having clear responsibility throughout design, construction and occupation of buildings and enforcement. The proposed system will be underpinned by ‘strengthened enforcement and sanctions to deter non-compliance with the new regime. Fire Safety Bill The Fire Safety Bill, which was introduced to Parliament in April, will also empower fire and rescue services to take enforcement action and hold building owners to account if they do not comply with the law. The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes. Using the very latest in technology and science, the Firetec Total Fire Solutions range offers Mineral Insulated Cabling (MIC), Firetec Enhanced fire performance cabling, accessories and technical support from the AEI Cables distribution facility at Washington, Tyne and Wear. Technology and science AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control. The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB. It also holds approvals from organizations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and works to international standards around the world. Using the very latest in technology and science, the Firetec Total Fire Solutions range offers Mineral Insulated Cabling (MIC), Firetec Enhanced fire performance cabling, accessories and technical support from the AEI Cables distribution facility at Washington, Tyne and Wear. All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB. It also holds approvals from organizations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and works to international standards around the world.