fire alarm 230v supply

[robtroop]

does anybody know where I can find the regulation which states that you have to wire the main supply to the fire alarm panel in min 2.5mm fp200 cable?

 

[telectrix]

probably in BS5839 if anywhere.

 

[Jay Sparks]

does anybody know where I can find the regulation which states that you have to wire the main supply to the fire alarm panel in min 2.5mm fp200 cable?

Yes, you do have to wire the supply to the panel in fire rated cable and in some circumstances, enhanced fire rated cable. I dont know the reg no. but as tel says, it is in the BS5839.

 

[telectrix]

and it does not have to be FP200. you can also use MICC.

 

[Brightspark2]

and it does not have to be FP200. you can also use MICC.

Or FP400...

 

[telectrix]

or red string

 

[Deleted member 72666]

or red string

Only if it's wet tel!

 

[D Skelton]

Don't get why the supply to the fire panel has to be fire rated when the fire panel itsef is fire rated with battery backup??? The most likely point in a property for a fire is the main distribution point (DB) which won't be fire rated, nor will the MCB protecting the fire rated supply cable???

I have a working knowledge of, but steer well clear of installing or maintaining fire systems, still, it makes no sense why it would be a regulation to use fire rated cable to supply the main fire panel. Can anyone quote a specific reg no? I'm happy to eat humble pie if wrong, but I highly suspect that this is another one of those myths!

 

[Phil L]

Clause 26 of bs5839
All cables for critical path signals and mains supply should resist the effects of fire shock and water spray

 

[telectrix]

Don't get why the supply to the fire panel has to be fire rated when the fire panel itsef is fire rated with battery backup??? The most likely point in a property for a fire is the main distribution point (DB) which won't be fire rated, nor will the MCB protecting the fire rated supply cable???

I have a working knowledge of, but steer well clear of installing or maintaining fire systems, still, it makes no sense why it would be a regulation to use fire rated cable to supply the main fire panel. Can anyone quote a specific reg no? I'm happy to eat humble pie if wrong, but I highly suspect that this is another one of those myths!

a fire can start anywhere in the property. doesn't even have to be electrical. think the reg. for using fire rated mains feed only came in a few years ago. also, back in the 80's it was allowed to use T/E for the detector circuits, as long as they were monitored.

 

[Brightspark2]

or red string

Wrong!

You should only be installing the EU harmonized BROWN string now...

 

[Phil L]

Clause 26 has been applicable since the 2002 update

 

[D Skelton]

Hmm, still seems a bit silly to me

 

[Jay Sparks]

Don't get why the supply to the fire panel has to be fire rated when the fire panel itsef is fire rated with battery backup??? The most likely point in a property for a fire is the main distribution point (DB) which won't be fire rated, nor will the MCB protecting the fire rated supply cable???

I have a working knowledge of, but steer well clear of installing or maintaining fire systems, still, it makes no sense why it would be a regulation to use fire rated cable to supply the main fire panel. Can anyone quote a specific reg no? I'm happy to eat humble pie if wrong, but I highly suspect that this is another one of those myths!

The only reason I mentioned the use of fire rated cable as mains, is because I did a quick search on here and this is what the more learned guys that work on fire panels day in day out said. They also said the reg no. but I couldnt remember it. I have never even seen the regs book for fire installs but if the OP had of done a quick search like I did, he would of found his answer and saved time. I also dont do much with fire panels, although I have done bits and bats whilst subbying and I was always told to install FP for the supply to the panel.

 

[D Skelton]

I think the point I'm trying to make is that if there was a fire in the intake room, that fire rated cable to the panel counts for diddly squat. Silly reg IMHO.