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Evolving fire retardant material issues: A cable manufacturer's perspective

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Abstract

Material compositions for both copper and optical fiber building cables are currently being reevaluated in view of increasing domestic and international concerns regarding combustion with respect to smoke emission, corrosive combustion gases, and material chemical composition. The rationale and driving force behind an increasing desire for data and telecommunications cables with unique chemical or combustion characteristics vary among the global community. Several specific differences between the domestic and international emphasis with respect to fire hazard assessment testing procedures are discussed. For applications which are suitable for particular combustion characteristics, a balance of a multitude of combustion and cable performance parameters is suggested as being the most beneficial.

A study designed and coordinated by AT&T Bell Laboratories was conducted to investigate the combustion properties of a wide range of highly flame retardant cable materials. A total of 39 commercial and developmental materials were tested. There were 24 materials classified as nonhalogen and 15 materials containing halogens beyond contamination levels. The cone calorimeter and a combustion gas exposure system were used to examine combustion parameters such as heat release and smoke release while also exploring the corrosivity of combustion gases. Copper metal loss corrosion was determined by resistance changes in circuit probes exposed to combustion gases of each material.

The data indicated that a significant distribution overlap exists between the halogenated and the nonhalogenated classifications with respect to both heat release and smoke release. Several halogenated compounds produced significantly less total heat and smoke at the end of the test duration than nonhalogenated materials. In general, the combustion of halogenated materials resulted in significantly more corrosion than the combustion of most nonhalogenated materials. Evidence for some degree of overlap, however, was obtained. In addition, there was a considerable range of metal loss results within both the halogenated and the nonhalogenated classifications.

Based on the data presented, assessment of fire hazard parameters such as heat release, smoke release, or combustion gas corrosivity should be built on performance-based tests rather than assumed relationships for broad material classifications.

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  1. AT&T Bell Laboratories, 2000 NE Expressway, 30071-2992, Norcross, Georgia

    Paul R. Dickinson

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Dickinson, P.R. Evolving fire retardant material issues: A cable manufacturer's perspective. Fire Technol 28, 345–368 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01873402

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