- Author
-
Barnes, M. A.
|
Matheson, A. F.
- Title
- Technical Evaluation of Fire Related Characteristics of Vinyl Based and Non Halogenated Cable Materials.
- Coporate
- EVC Compounds Ltd., Helsby, UK
Hydro Polymers Ltd., Aycliffe, UK
- Keywords
-
cables
|
vinyl
|
mechanical properties
|
electrical properties
|
fire spread
|
emissions
|
fire behavior
|
halogens
|
fire retardant materials
|
insulation
|
fire severity
|
heat release
- Identifiers
- cabling materials; cable fire performance; non halogenated; halomaterials of performance; material test results; insulated wiring test results; cable testing; scale-up; smoke obscuration; toxic fumes; corrosivity; European Vinyls Corporation (EVC); Hydro Polymers (HPL); Halomaterial Fire Performance (HFP)
- Abstract
- In recent years unretarded PVC, the dominant material used for making electrical cables, has been criticised for its poor fire performance in terms of fire spread, smoke and acid emission in large fires. This project has confirmed that conventional PVC while frequently acceptable in small fires i.e., low intensity ignition sources and single cable (low fuel loading) it is often inappropriate for severe fire scenarios. Two major companies in the European PVC industry, European Vinyls Corporation (EVC) and Hydro Polymers (HPL), the UK arm of the Petrochemical Division of Norsk Hydro, participated in an inter-industry project, the Halomaterial Fire Performance (HFP) project which ran between 1985 and 1992. It was set up to measure real data from which to draw balanced conclusions. EVC and HPL have decided to make available the data and findings relating to the performance of 4 material classes examined during the HFP project. [1] Conventional unretarded and halogenated cable PVC (PVC); [2] Conventional unretarded cable polyethylene (PE); [3] Retarded and halogenated Vinyls (RV); [4] Filled, Retarded Polyolefins (FRP). In these 4 categories the effect of both retarding and the presence of chlorine (a member of the halogen group) were assessed in a wide range of fire tests and also some mechanical and electrical tests. The 7 year program examined materials (Phase 1), simple products insulated wiring (Phase 2) and composite cables (Phase 3). The purpose of this report is to provide a complete data base of test information together with a balanced interpretation of the results. It is intended as an authoritative document which can be referenced when required.