Fire Resistance, Hammer And Spraying Test Machine For LSZH And MICC Cable

Product Introduce

BS 6387:2013 Cable Fire Resistance, Hammer and Spray Tester is a high-end test equipment designed according to the British Standards Institution (BSI) "Specification for Performance Requirements of Cables to Maintain Circuit Integrity under Fire Conditions" (published on December 31, 2013, replacing the 1994 version). It is used to evaluate the circuit integrity of cables with a rated voltage of ≤600/1000 V and a diameter of ≤20 mm (such as low-smoke halogen-free cables and mineral insulated cables) in fire. The equipment integrates three tests of CWZ: Category C (950°C±40°C flame, 3 hours fire resistance), Category W (650°C±40°C flame for 15 minutes + water spray for 15 minutes, 0.25-0.30 L/m²/s) and Category Z (950°C±40°C flame for 15 minutes + mechanical impact every 30 seconds, 25 mm steel rod). The all-in-one machine is equipped with a 500-610 mm propane burner, mechanical impact device, sprinkler system and PLC control (K-type thermocouple, touch screen, 0-600 V/0.1-3 A load), and tests 400-500 mm cable samples to ensure there is no short circuit/open circuit. It is widely used in the development and certification of fire protection system cables, in accordance with BS 5839, BS 5266, EU CPR regulations and CE marking requirements, and related standards include IEC 60331, EN 50200, SS 299:2021.

Standard

BS 6387:2013

Standard full name: Specification for performance requirements for cables required to maintain circuit integrity under fire conditions.

Scope of application:

Power cables or control cables with a rated voltage not exceeding 600/1000 V.
Cables with an overall diameter of ≤ 20 mm (cables with a diameter > 20 mm refer to BS 8491).
Including mineral insulated copper cables (MICC) that comply with BS 6207.

Objective: To evaluate the ability of cables to maintain circuit integrity under fire conditions (high temperature, mechanical impact, water spray), suitable for fire protection and emergency systems.

Test Protocol: BS 6387:2013 defines three test categories, all of which need to be passed by the cable to obtain a CWZ rating:

Category C (Fire Test):

Conditions: 950°C ± 40°C propane flame for 3 hours (180 minutes).

Requirements: Cable energized (rated voltage, 0.25 A per phase), no shorts or breaks, circuit integrity maintained.

Category W (Fire and Water Spray Test):

Conditions: 650°C ± 40°C propane flame for 15 minutes, followed by flame and water spray (0.25-0.30 L/m²/s) for 15 minutes, total 30 minutes.

Requirements: Cable energized, no shorts or breaks, simulating a fire sprinkler scenario.

Category Z (fire resistance plus mechanical shock test):

Conditions: 950°C ± 40°C propane flame for 15 minutes, mechanical shock every 30 ± 2 seconds (25 mm diameter steel rod, 60° angle free fall).

Requirements: Cable is energized, no short circuit or open circuit, simulating physical damage in fire.

CWZ grade: The cable passes the three tests C, W, and Z to prove its reliability under extreme fire conditions (high temperature, shock, spray).

IEC 60331 (International Electrotechnical Commission standard)

Full name: Tests for electric cables under fire conditions – Circuit integrity.

Sub-standards:

IEC 60331-1: Applicable to cables with rated voltage ≤ 0.6/1 kV, test equipment and procedures (flame temperature 830°C).

IEC 60331-2: Applicable to cables with diameter ≤ 20 mm, test flame temperature 750-830°C.

IEC 60331-3: Applicable to multi-core cables, test conditions are similar to IEC 60331-2.

EN 50200 (European standard)

Full name: Method of test for resistance to fire of unprotected small cables for use in emergency circuits.

Scope of application:

Unprotected small diameter cables with diameter ≤ 20 mm, used in emergency circuits (such as fire alarms, emergency lighting).

Rated voltage ≤ 300/500 V or 450/750 V.

Test conditions:

Flame temperature: 830°C ± 40°C (lower than 950°C of BS 6387).

Mechanical impacts are included (once every 5 minutes, with different impact rod mass and drop height).

Test duration: up to 120 minutes without water spray test according to PH level (such as PH15, PH30, PH60, PH120).

Application: Fire protection cables commonly found in the European market for EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR) certification.

BS 8491:2008 (British Standard)

Full name: Method for assessment of fire integrity of large diameter power cables for use as components for smoke and heat control systems and

certain other active fire safety systems.

Scope of application:

Power cables with diameter > 20 mm, suitable for smoke and heat control systems and other fire safety systems.

Rated voltage ≤ 0.6/1 kV.

Test conditions:

Flame temperature: 850°C ± 40°C (lower than 950°C of BS 6387).

Includes mechanical shock (once every 30 seconds, similar to BS 6387 Category Z).

Includes water jet (not water sprinkler of BS 6387), simulating high pressure fire water flow.

Test duration: 120 minutes or longer.

SS 299:2021 (Singapore Standard)

Full name: Fire resistant cables – Performance requirements for cables required to maintain circuit integrity under fire conditions.

Scope of application:

Equivalent to BS 6387:2013, with exactly the same test conditions and requirements.

Cables with rated voltage ≤ 600/1000 V and diameter ≤ 20 mm.

Test conditions:

Directly using protocols C, W, Z of BS 6387:2013 (950°C Fire Resistant, 650°C Spray, 950°C Impact).

BS EN 50577:2015:

Full name: Electric cables – Fire resistance test for unprotected cables used in emergency circuits with intrinsic fire resistance.

BS 5839-1:2017:

Full name: Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings – Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of

systems in non-domestic premises.

BS 5266-1:2016:

Full name: Emergency lighting – Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises.

BS 8519:2020:

Full name: Selection and installation of fire-resistant power and control cable systems for life safety and fire-fighting applications – Code of

practice.

Product range tested

BS 6387 tests are for cables that need to maintain circuit integrity during fire, mainly including the following types and application scenarios:

Cable type:

Power cable and control cable:

Rated voltage: 300/500 V or 450/750 V (low voltage cable).

Overall diameter: ≤ 20 mm, single-core or multi-core (single-core cable must contain other metal components such as metal shielding or sheathing).

Mineral insulated cable (MICC):

Complies with BS 6207, uses copper conductor and magnesium oxide insulation, commonly used in fire protection systems.

Low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) cable:

With CWZ, CWA or CWA-S rating, it has low smoke emission in fire and is suitable for public places.

Special cables:

Such as fire-resistant shielded cables and armored cables, used in complex wiring environments.

Application scenarios:

Fire and emergency systems:

Fire alarm systems, smoke detectors, public broadcasting systems.

Emergency lighting, fire elevators, fire pump power supplies.

Buildings and infrastructure:

High-rise buildings, hospitals, schools, shopping malls.

Metro stations, tunnels, underground parking lots.

Transportation:

Railway systems (platforms, signal systems).

Ship (emergency circuits).

Airports (navigation and emergency lighting).

Main prameter

1 Fire resistance test:

1.1. Sample support device: The sample bracket has a total of 3 wire support rings. The inner diameter of the metal ring is about 150 mm and is made of a round steel bar with a diameter of (10 ± 2) mm. During the test, the sample is placed on the wire support ring. One end of the sample is fixed and clamped to prevent movement, and the other end is supported to allow the sample to move longitudinally due to thermal expansion.

1.2 Continuity check device:

1.2.1 During the test, the current used for continuity check passes through all the conductors of the cable. The current is provided by a three-phase star-connected transformer. The transformer has sufficient capacity to maintain the required test voltage when the maximum allowable leakage current is reached. At the other end of the sample, each conductor or each group of conductors is connected to an appropriate load and indicating device (such as a light bulb) to form a current (a stabilizing resistor can be added if necessary). Under the test voltage, the current passing through each conductor or each group of conductors is 0.25A.

1.2.2 Fuse: 2A fuse, in accordance with IEC 60269-3:2010 fuse A–D, model DII.

1.2.3 Test voltage (phase voltage): 0--1000V continuously adjustable.

1.3 Heat source: A ribbon-type propane gas torch with a nominal length of 610mm for the flame face with a venturi mixer. The flame face has a nominal width of 15mm, and there are three rows of staggered holes with a nominal diameter of 1.32mm and a center distance of 2mm on the flame face;

1.4 Temperature measurement: Measured using a K-type thermocouple with a Φ1.5mm mineral insulated stainless steel sheath (in accordance with BS EN 60584-1 standard); place the torch at a horizontal distance of about 45mm (x mm) from the thermocouple and a vertical downward distance of 75mm (y mm) from the center line of the thermocouple. Ignite the burner and adjust the gas and air supply until the flame temperature stabilizes at 950°C±40°C for at least 5 minutes. At this time, record the values ​​of gas and air flow and turn off the burner;

2 Water and fire resistance test:

1. Sample support device: The test is connected to a metal support consisting of two steel bars with a width of 25mm±1mm, a length of 1150mm±25mm and a thickness of 5.5mm±1mm through a copper clamp. The spacing between the clamps is 200mm±10mm. The assembly with the cable is supported in the test frame, and the frame is grounded.

2 Continuity check device:

2.1 During the test, the current used for continuity check passes through all the conductors of the cable. The current is provided by a three-phase star-connected transformer. The transformer has sufficient capacity to maintain the required test voltage when the maximum allowable leakage current is reached. At the other end of the sample, each conductor or each group of conductors is connected to an appropriate load and an indicating device (such as a light bulb) to form a current (a stabilizing resistor can be added if necessary). Under the test voltage, the current passing through each conductor or each group of conductors is 0.25A.

2.2 Fuse: 2A fuse, in accordance with IEC 60269-3:2010 fuse A–D, model DII.

2.3 Test voltage: 0--1000V continuously adjustable (line voltage 1000V, phase voltage 600V).

3 Heat source: A ribbon-type propane gas torch with a flame face nominal length of 500mm with a venturi mixer. The flame face has a nominal

width of 10mm, and there are three rows of staggered holes with a nominal diameter of 1.32mm and a center distance of 2mm on the flame face;

4 Temperature measurement: Measured by a K-type thermocouple (in accordance with BS EN 60584-1 standard) with a Φ1.5mm mineral insulated stainless steel sheath; during the test, the thermocouple is placed at the lower surface of the cable sample. Ignite the burner and adjust the gas and air supply until the flame temperature stabilizes at 650°C±40°C and is recorded for at least 5 minutes. At this time, record the values ​​of gas and air flow and turn off the burner;

5 Water spray: The sprinkler head is fixed to the test frame and centered on the burner assembly, spraying water at a rate between 0.25L/m2/s and 0.30L/m2/s. The measured rate is collected and measured using a collection tray 400mm±5mm long and 100 mm±5 mm wide. The tray should be placed in the center of the sample with the long axis along the cable axis.

Mechanical vibration and fire resistance test:

1 Mechanical vibration device: The cable is fixed to a vertical wall and fixed to the steel plate with heat-resistant non-combustible material.

2 Wall and its installation: The wall is made of heat-resistant and flame-retardant material and fixed to two horizontal steel beams, one on the upper part of the plate and the other on the bottom of the plate. This plate is about 900mm long, 300mm wide and 9mm thick, and the total weight of the wall (i.e. plate plus supporting frame) is 10 ± 2 kg. Each steel beam is a square steel tube of about 1m long and 25mm. If ballast is required, it needs to be placed inside the steel beam. The upper steel beam must be fixed to the plate so that its upper surface is flush with the upper edge of the plate. Each steel beam and the outer edge of the plate have a horizontal hole, the exact position of which is determined by the requirements of the specific support pads and supporting frame. The wall is bonded to the frame by 4 rubber bushings, the bushings are about 32mm in diameter and 20mm thick.

3 Impact generating device: The impact generating device consists of a low-carbon steel round bar with a diameter of (25±0.1MM) and a length of (600±5MM). The round bar rotates freely around an axis parallel to the test ladder and is located in the same horizontal plane (200±5MM) from the upper edge of the test ladder. The axis divides the round bar into two unequal lengths, namely (400±5MM) and approximately 200MM, and the longer part hits the test ladder. The round bar falls to the middle of the wall every 30 s ±2 s from an angle of 60° to the horizontal plane with its own weight.

4 Continuity check device:

4.1 During the test, the current used for continuity check passes through all the conductors of the cable. The current is provided by a three-phase star-connected transformer. The transformer has sufficient capacity to maintain the required test voltage when the maximum allowable leakage current is reached. At the other end of the specimen, each conductor or each group of conductors is connected to an appropriate load and an indicating device (such as a light bulb) to form a current (a stabilizing resistor can be added if necessary). Under the test face voltage, the current through each conductor or each group of conductors is 0.25A.

4.2 Fuse: 2A fuse, in accordance with IEC 60269-3:2010 fuse A–D, model DII.

4.3 Test voltage (phase voltage): 0--1000V continuously adjustable.

5 Heat source: A ribbon-type propane gas torch with a nominal length of 500mm for the flame face with a venturi mixer. The flame face has a nominal width of 10mm, and there are three rows of staggered holes with a nominal diameter of 1.32mm and a center distance of 2mm on the flame face;

6 Temperature measurement: Measured by a K-type thermocouple (in accordance with BS EN 60584-1 standard) with a Φ1.5mm mineral insulated stainless steel sheath; the thermocouple is installed on a non-combustible plate to measure the burner flame temperature, and the thermocouple passes through the plate so that the tip of the thermocouple is exposed by 8 mm to 10 mm. Light the burner and adjust the gas and air supply until the flame temperature stabilizes at 950°C ± 40°C for at least 5 minutes. At this point record the values ​​of gas and air flow and turn off the burner;

Control system:

1 Computer control;

2 The equipment has the following safety protection devices: power overload, short circuit protection, control circuit overload protection. It has power off, short circuit, alarm, and indication of burnout current: 3A (automatic alarm cuts off the power supply and gas supply system after the sample breaks down).

3 All high-quality components are used to ensure the high quality and high-speed operation of the system, which is advanced. The test adopts fully automatic control mode to realize automatic detection control and automatic completion of detection work. The friendly display interface makes the detection work faster and more accurate. It can automatically generate temperature control curves and report output. Data collection and printing of test results.

Environmental conditions:

1 The ground is flat, well ventilated, and does not contain flammable, explosive, corrosive gases and dust.

2 There is no strong electromagnetic radiation source nearby.

3 There is appropriate maintenance space around the equipment.

4 Temperature: 5℃～30℃.

5 Air pressure: 86～106kpa.

6 AC380V/50HZ.

7 Allowable voltage fluctuation range: 380V±10%.

8 Allowable frequency fluctuation range: 50Hz±1%.

9 The user is required to configure air and power switches of corresponding capacity for the equipment at the installation site, and this switch must be independent and dedicated to this equipment.

10 When the equipment is not working, the ambient temperature should be kept within +0～45℃, and the vibration combustion device should be installed and placed in the combustion box.