Classification of Flame spread for cables

Classification of Flame spread for cables August 2011

There are 4 classifications for flame and fire retardant cables in Sweden, F1-F4 according to the swedish standard SS 424 14 75. For the class F1 there are no requirements for firespread whereas for class F4 it means
that the cable cant spread the fire even though the cables are mounted together in a bunch.
Swedish
standard

European
standard

IECstandard

Description of test

F1

The wire/cable is not self-extinguishing and do spread fire.

Normally the wires and cables in this classification is only
intended for installation in ground or in water.

F2

EN 50265-2-1

IEC 60332-1

A single wire/cable is self-extinguishing and does not spread

fire. Vertical test where a test sample of 600 mm is ignited. The
flame is applied continuously for 1-8 minutes depending on the
outer diameter. The fire damages shall be limited and the fire
damages should not be greater then 50 mm from the lower
edge of the top support.

F3

HD 605-4.1.5

Single wire/cable or bunched cables which are self-extinguishing

and do not spread fire. The cables are harder to ignite and do
maintain fire less than F2. Vertical test where a test sample of
850 mm is placed in a vertical steel pipe with openings for
ventilation along the sides. A fluid is placed below the cable
and ignited. The flame is applied continuously for 3-9 minutes
depending on the outer diameter and cross-section. The fire
damages shall be limited and no external fire damages shall
exist on the part of the samples that are within 300 mm from
the top edge.

F4 General
information

EN 50266-2

IEC 60332-3

Cables bunched together which are self-extinguishing and do

not spread fire. The cables are harder to ignite and do maintain
fire less than F3. The test is carried out in a 4 meter high test
chamber on test samples that are mounted vertically on a ladder.
The samples must have a minimum length of 3,5 meters. The
fire damages shall be limited and the fire damages should not
have reached a height exceeding 2,5 meters above the bottom
edge of the burner.

F4A F/R

EN 50266-2-1

IEC60332-3-21

Cables are mounted on both sides (front and rear) of the ladder.
The total number of test pieces shall provide a nominal total
volume of non-metallic material of 7 liters per meter. The test
flame shall be applied for 40 minutes.

F4A

EN 50266-2-2

IEC 60332-3-22

Cables are mounted on the front of the ladder. The total

number of test pieces shall provide a nominal total volume of
non-metallic material of 7 liters per meter. The test flame shall
be applied for 40 minutes.

F4B

EN 50266-2-3

IEC 60332-3-23

Cables are mounted on the front of the ladder. The total

number of test pieces shall provide a nominal total volume of
non-metallic material of 3,5 liters per meter. The test flame shall
be applied for 40 minutes.

F4C

EN 50266-2-4

IEC 60332-3-24

Cables are mounted on the front of the ladder. The total

number of test pieces shall provide a nominal total volume of
non-metallic material of 1,5 liters per meter. The test flame shall
be applied for 20 minutes.

F4D

EN 50266-2-5

IEC 60332-3-25

Cables are mounted on the front of the ladder. The total

number of test pieces shall provide a nominal total volume of
non-metallic material of 0,5 liters per meter. The test flame
shall be applied for 20 minutes.

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