Fire Alarm Cable

[mariner]

can anyone give me the reason of installing MICC cable in premises (apart from heritage requirements) to other different types of fire alarm cable, our premisis currently has MICC through-out but cost is being questioned in regards to this- any help appreciated.

[CWEENG]

In order to ensure good performance of cables in a fire situation, cables with Fire Rating are required for all aspects of the installation, MICC is only one of these, there are others which are considerable cheaper in cost and easier to install.

The two types of fire resistant cable are “standard” and “enhanced”, the type used depends on the type of building and fire alarm system installed. The use of “enhanced cables” is recommended for systems, in particular building in which cables might need to operate correctly during a fire for longer periods in excess of the norm.

If MICC cable is being specified for the installation then there is normally a reason for this and it should be justifiable by your designer / installer of the system.

With more info RE the building and the install I could point you in the right direction.

[AnthonyB]

Are you talking about MICC in your existing installation or a new one?

If it's existing and over a certain age then the MICC will have been used as soft skin fire resistant cables weren't widely available at at one time didn't exist!

If it's new, or an extension of existing using MICC then as stated there should be usually a specific reason for it related to it's enhanced properties.

[Fishy]

Higher resistance to mechanical damage (in areas prone to this), & resistance to rodent attack are other reasons, but you can put the soft-skin cables in steel conduit in the vulnerable areas to deal with these issues.

[mariner]

In order to ensure good performance of cables in a fire situation, cables with Fire Rating are required for all aspects of the installation, MICC is only one of these, there are others which are considerable cheaper in cost and easier to install.

The two types of fire resistant cable are “standard” and “enhanced”, the type used depends on the type of building and fire alarm system installed. The use of “enhanced cables” is recommended for systems, in particular building in which cables might need to operate correctly during a fire for longer periods in excess of the norm.

If MICC cable is being specified for the installation then there is normally a reason for this and it should be justifiable by your designer / installer of the system.

With more info RE the building and the install I could point you in the right direction.

Its a very old building in London however with newer buildings joined on,

[CWEENG]

Has the justification for the use of MICC been given.
Or the question asked to the installer /designer?

[Graeme]

I usually find micc cable specified by consultants who know of no other alternatives and still quote 1988 standards.

[David Rooney]

I usually find micc cable specified by consultants who know of no other alternatives and still quote 1988 standards.

Bllimey ,,,,, that universal spec must be doing the rounds .....

[Graeme]

Passed down from the generations Dave.

I now get the L2 with mo smoke alarms to 5839-6 analogue addressable thrown in for some light hearted reading.