BS_6387_2013.pdf

BS6387:2013BSI Standards PublicationTest method for resistanceto fire of cables required tomaintain circuit integrityunder fire conditionsbsi.making excellence a habit.BRITISH STANDARDB56387:2013ContentsForeword ii1Scope 12Normative references 13Terms and definitions14Categorization of cables 1Test chamber 26Protocol C for resistance to fire alone 2Protocol W for resistance to fire with water 58Protocol Z for resistance to fire with mechanical shock 10Bibliography 15List of figuresFigure 1-Cable supporting arrangement for test for fire resistance alone 3Figure 2-Circuit diagram 4Figure 3-Method of supporting cable for test of resistance to fire withwater 5Figure 4-Example of supporting frame for test for resistance to fire withwater 6Figure 5-End elevation of supporting frame for test for resistance to fire withwater 7Figure 6-Burner face for test 8Figure 7-Example of sprinkler head for test for resistance to fire with water 9Figure 8-Rig for test for resistance to fire with mechanical shock 11Figure 9-Typical rubber bush for fastening board for test for resistance to firewith mechanical shock 12Figure 10-Cable mounting for test for resistance to fire with mechanicalshock 13Summary of pagesThis document comprises a front cover,an inside front cover,pages i to iv,pages 1 to 16,an inside back cover and a back cover.The British Standards Institution2013iB56387:2013BRITISH STANDARDForewordPublishing informationThis British Standard is published by BSI Standards Limited,under licence fromThe British Standards Institution,and came into effect on 31 December 2013.Itwas prepared by Subcommittee GEL/20/18,Fire testing,under the authority ofTechnical Committee GEL/20,Electric cables.A list of organizations representedon these committees can be obtained on request to their secretary.SupersessionThis British Standard supersedes BS 6387:1994,which is withdrawn.Information about this documentThis is a full revision of the standard,which now gives only a test method forfire resistance characteristics of cables.Physical and electrical tests and theirrelevant requirements are now given in the appropriate product standards.Other test methods for the fire resistance of cables have been developed sincethe previous revision of BS 6387.These include BS 8434 and BS 8491,cateringfor specific applications,installations and end-user markets.The test method given in this British Standard consists of three componentprotocols,designated C,W and Z.These are technically unchanged from theprevious edition.Previous editions of BS 6387 have included categories based onother protocols(A,B,S,X and Y).These are now regarded as obsolete.When separate test pieces from the same sample of cable are tested to each ofthese three protocols,these together comprise the full test.When therequirements of each one of the protocols are met,the cable may be designatedas category CWZ.In detail:a)Protocol C subjects the cable under test to a flame via direct impingementcorresponding to a temperature attack of 950C+40 C.b)Protocol W subjects the cable under test to a flame via direct impingementcorresponding to a temperature attack of 650 C+40C with directapplication of water simulating a sprinkler system.c)Protocol Z subjects the cable under test to a flame via direct impingementcorresponding to a temperature attack of 950 C t40C with indirectapplication of mechanical shock.Product standards might refer to only one of the protocols C or W or Z in,respectively,Clauses 6,7 or 8 but,in such cases,may not use the designationCategory CWZ.It is emphasized that fire tests do not assess a fire hazard,nor can the results offire tests alone guarantee safety.They only provide information to assist in theassessment of the suitability of a cable for a given application.Hazard warningsWARNING.This British Standard calls for the use of substances and/orprocedures that can be injurious to health if adequate precautions are nottaken.It refers only to technical suitability and does not absolve the userfrom legal obligations relating to health and safety at any stage.The test methods given in this British Standard might involve the use ofdangerous voltages and temperatures.Suitable precautions should be takenagainst the risks of shock,burning,fire and explosion that might be involved,and against any noxious fumes that might be produced.iThe British Standards Institution2013