WCA November 2024

Industry News

London fires prompt call for enhanced building safety with fire survival cables UK cable manufacturer Wrexham

“This uncertainty can only be addressed when all fire-resistant cables, regardless of size or construction, are subjected to true fire scenario tests. At WMC, we are committed to educating the market about the advantages of specifying MICC fire survival cables.” Wrexham Mineral Cables www.wrexhammineralcables.com

“Fire survival cables are a vital component of building safety, yet they often remain an unrecognised hazard. “Due to the lack of understanding about the important role they play in keeping buildings safe, all too often inferior cables are frequently installed, which may prove inadequate in the event of a fire.

Mineral Cables (WMC) is calling for better building safety standards through the use of fire survival cables. A recent fire in a residential tower block in Dagenham, east London, required the evacuation of 80 people. The incident occurred weeks after a fire at the historic Somerset House, home to priceless artworks. WMC says these high-profile events underscore the urgent need for building designers and specifiers to identify and install appropriate cables that can survive – not just resist – real-life fire scenarios. Specifiers are currently presented with a choice between polymeric cables and mineral insulated copper clad (MICC) cables. Due to the existing testing regime, both cable types are classed as fire-resistant. However, WMC states that MICC cables have consistently demonstrated superior performance, and perform to higher safety standards in “real fire” scenarios. In 2023, WMC published a white paper outlining how cables – often an overlooked component of a building’s system – directly impact building safety. The paper advocates for the introduction of a higher classification of fire survival cable, which can continue to power critical circuits in the event of a fire. Colin Hughes, group manager at WMC, commented, “Last year, the UK Government introduced stricter building regulations in England as part of new secondary legislation to implement the Building Safety Act. Sadly, recent events in London remind us that buildings of all types remain at a high risk of fire, and we must take every measure to ensure their safety.

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WMC’s white paper, “Expecting the unexpected: specifying safety-critical circuit cables for fire survival”

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November 2024