EuroWire November 2022

Corporate News

Building safety remains “on a knife edge” Wrexham Mineral Cables, a manufacturer of fire resistance cables, has again called for more stringent testing standards following a spate of fires in recent months, including one in Bradford, UK, where residents were evacuated from a block of apartments in the city centre following a blaze on the fifth floor of the building. resistant cables, which may not survive during a true fire scenario.

times can be extensive or hindered due to the sheer size of the building. Plus, with some buildings adopting the much criticised ‘stay put’ policy, circuits such as extraction systems must remain fully functional. “The tests which cables are subjected to need to be relevant and relied upon. It is extremely concerning that ‘enhanced fire resistant’ cables most commonly being used for critical emergency building services may not survive fire, water and direct impact. If this remains the case, building safety will remain on a knife edge for years to come.” Mr Williams said that Wrexham Mineral Cables remains committed to raising industry standards, and that the only way to achieve this is by introducing a standard test for all fire-resistant cables – such as BS 8519, currently only applicable to fire-resistant cables over 20mm. “Regardless of size or construction, if a cable is required to function in the event of a fire, each single cable sample must have to pass a true fire scenario test, helping identify those which can survive, rather than simply resist, fire,” said Mr Williams. ”Wrexham Mineral Cables have recently gained approval to BS8519 on cable measuring less than 8mm, proving it really is the only true fire survival cable.” WrexhamMineral Cables https://wrexhammineralcables.com

Wrexham Mineral Cables commercial manager Steve Williams says that testing needs to be strengthened for all fire resistant cables as part of the construction industry’s wider drive to improve building safety. He commented, “Fire-resistant cables play a fundamental role in ensuring that emergency and building critical systems are supported in the event of a fire. Not only do they provide early indication of a fire, but they also ensure critical circuits remain functional for longer periods. This is particularly critical in high-rise buildings where evacuation

The company believes this once again highlights the importance of keeping buildings and the people who occupy them safe, and that in too many cases the focus has remained largely on identified defects. Unidentified issues can include the installation of certain types of fire

WrexhamMineral Cables is highlighting the importance of testing fire-resistant cables

Pan Chemicals SpA Pan Chemicals is an Italian producer of drawing lubricants, coatings and chemicals for the wire industry. It sells worldwide, either directly or through its network of agents, distributors and branch companies. The company’s research and development department explores new products and concepts, to offer its customers improved performance and efficiency, while also keeping a focus on environmental sustainability. With this aim, Pan Chemicals has recently added to its portfolio new products such as ash-less lubricants for high quality surface after annealing; polymer-based pre-coating for cold forming applications; polymer pre-coat lubricants for heavy duty bar drawing; nanotechnology based protective coating for galvanised wires; and pre-coating for high-tensile galvanised steel wire drawing.

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It has also introduced special nano dispersion water-based lubricants for fine and extra-fine drawing of high tensile wires; new concept drawing technologies based on special diamond dies; and a new design of high-performance compact pressure dies. The company’s production programme includes Panlube S dry drawing lubricants – calcium, sodium, aluminium, zinc, lithium and combined products for low and high carbon steel and stainless steel; Panlube L wet drawing lubricants – oils, greases and pastes for wet drawing of low and high carbon, welding wire, stainless steel and non-ferrous wire; Pancover lubricant carriers – phosphates and non-reactive coatings; Panflux flux for galvanising – developed to improve the efficiency of the galvanising process by uniform control of the reaction between the two metals; and Panchem auxiliary

Pan supplies lubricants, coatings and chemicals for the wire industry

products – degreasing agents, pickling inhibitors, anti-rusting and protective products, activated charcoal, wiping pads and spiral brushes. Pan Chemicals SpA https://panchemicals.com

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November 2022