WCA November 2022

Industry 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.

“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 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

The company believes this once again highlights the impor- tance 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-resistant cables, which may not survive during a true fire scenario. 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 emer- gency and building critical systems are sup- ported in the event of a fire.

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

Cables for prestige Hong Kong hospital project AEI Cables has been awarded a contract to supply fire performance and low voltage cables for the major expansion of a hospital in Hong Kong. them throughout the project. I believe the UCH project will create opportunities for us to supply to similar projects of this scale in the Hong Kong market.”

building monitoring and security systems can continue to operate in the event of a fire. All AEI Cables products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB. The company also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyd’s, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL, and works to international standards around the world. AEI Cables www.aeicables.co.uk

The new hospital block will provide spe cialist outpatient services, including psychiatric and day hospital, electro diagnostic, multi-speciality day services, renal dialysis, diabetes, oncology and pa thology. The design of the block adopts a twin-tower approach, to help with the function and flexibility of the building and to maintain major view corridors and breezeways at the upper levels, while enhancing the visual aesthet ic of the design. A further wing will provide endoscopy, perioperative and inpatient services. AEI Cables’ Firetec Total Fire Solu- tions range offers enhanced fire performance cabling, accessories and technical support from the company’s distribution facility in Washington, Tyne and Wear, UK. Applications for Firetec include residential and commercial build- ings, shopping malls, airports and protected buildings, ensuring that fire alarms, sprinkler systems,

Working in partnership with its long-term Hong Kong distributor, Fordex Electric Company Limited, the company will supply its range of products for power, control and fire performance to the new extension of the United Christian Hospital (UCH) project. Stuart Dover of AEI Cables commented, “There is a need for the highest levels of quality cabling in a building such as this, where medical care relies on continuity of power supply and with such large numbers of people moving about, many of them vulnerable. We are proud to be chosen to supply the cables for such an iconic project.” Kevin Siu, business development director of Fordex Electric Co, Ltd, said, “We are pleased to be awarded an important project like this and also proud to work alongside our partner AEI Cables. We are happy to have earned the trust and confidence from our client knowing Fordex Electric is here to fully support

The twin-tower design of the United Christian Hospital

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November 2022