Come visit us at the SFPE 2024 Annual Fire Safety Conference & Expo. The DuraLife team will be on hand to answer any questions about our growing DuraLife 2-Hour Fire Rated Cable product line. When: October 6-8Where: Louisville, KY For more information, please visit: sfpeatlanta.org
Come visit us at the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) 2024 Convention and Trade Show. The DuraLife team will be on hand to answer any questions about our growing DuraLife 2-Hour Fire Rated Cable product line. When: September 28-October 1 Where: San Diego, CA
Radix Wire’s DuraLife® brand cables are UL 2196 / CAN-ULC S139 two-hour certified and meet the mandatory NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code pathway survivability circuit requirements.
This week we will be exploring some of the uses of circuit integrity solutions for use in accordance with NFPA 502: Standard for Road Tunnels, Bridges, and Other Limited Access Highways. According to section 12.1.2 in the new 2017 edition, emergency circuits installed in a road tunnel shall remain functional for a period of one … Read more
This week we will be exploring some of the uses of circuit integrity solutions for critical operations facilities (COPS). The electrical installation requirements for these facilities are covered in Article 708 of the National Electrical Code. The Article covers all aspects of electrical installation requirements for these facility types, but the section that pertains to … Read more
Last week we began a three-part series covering some of the most commonly asked questions we encounter in the field regarding our electrical circuit integrity systems. DuraLife-W (wet-rated) and DuraLife FPL (dry-rated) (dry-rated) 2-hour fire-resistive cables are UL 2196 certified and they meet the pathway survivability circuit requirements found in the NFPA 72. However, as indicated in last week’s … Read more
While meeting with electrical contractors and fire-alarm vendors during my travels, great discussion surrounds electrical circuit integrity systems and meeting and maintaining UL 2196 & NFPA 72 code compliance. Radix Wire’s DuraLife 2-Hour fire-resistive cables are certified for 2-hour circuit integrity, which means they meet the pathway survivability circuit requirements in the NFPA 72, but the hardware … Read more
Radix Wire’s DuraLifeTM FPL Cables are part of a complete electrical circuit integrity system tested and certified compliant under the UL 2196 standard for fire-resistive cables. Circuit Integrity reliability in a fire event depends not only on our superior 2-Hour Fire-Rated cables, but the usage of certified hardware components and materials as well. Once we’ve successfully tested our … Read more
Where are 2-hour fire-rated electrical circuit integrity systems typically located? “These systems are primarily installed in mixed occupancy high-rise buildings, and in tunnels, bridges, and other commercial infrastructures. In many circumstances, the referenced systems exist in conjunction with other fire mitigation system options, which are not in question. Within a building or structure, the locations … Read more
As a fire-alarm systems integrator or electrical contractor, even with years of experience in the field, understanding newly-certified 2-hour fire-rated electrical circuit integrity systems can be challenging. Frankly, Radix Wire understands. We are relentless in our efforts to simplify the installation process; we provide user-friendly data sheets, clear and concise installation guides, and explain the … Read more
“Areas of Refuge” or “Areas of Rescue Assistance” are designated locations in a building that act as shelters from danger or distress to occupants who are unable to traverse the stairs without assistance. Individuals may assemble in such a location awaiting assistance or instructions from first responders. Requirements for these areas are addressed by multiple … Read more
Previously, we discussed the National Fire Protection Code (NFPA 72) fire alarm survivability circuit requirements. As a fire-alarm system integrator or electrical contractor, when installing a life-safety system in a building that is 75 feet or taller or houses 1,000 occupants or more, in order to remain code compliant you must satisfy this mandatory specification. However, … Read more
As an integrator or electrical contractor bidding on a contract for a fire-alarm system in an existing structure, for instance a commercial or residential high-rise building, Radix Wire’s DuraLifeTM FPL cables are the ideal solution for meeting the mandatory fire alarm survivability circuit requirements in the National Fire Protection Code (NFPA 72). There are multiple ways to satisfy … Read more
The National Fire Protection Code, NFPA 130, specifies fire-protection and life-safety requirements for underground, surface, and elevated fixed guideway transit and passenger rail systems, including stations, train ways, emergency ventilation systems, and communications and control systems. The wire and cable requirements in chapter 12 state that fire-resistive cables shall be certified or listed as having … Read more
Radix Wire’s DuraLife FPL Cables are ideal for vertical-riser applications in commercial and residential buildings. Our industry leading fire-resistive cables are not only the lowest-cost UL 2196 solution available, they’re also the most flexible and easy to install. What truly distinguishes our electrical circuit integrity system from all others though, are our incredible EMT fill rates. Under … Read more
For many years there was no choice – when your project required a 2-hour rated UL 2196 certified fire-resistive cable, mineral insulated cables were the only product available. Today, there is a much better solution! Radix Wire’s DuraLife FPL Cables feature a low-smoke, zero halogen FRPE (fire-resistant polyethylene) outer jacket, and oxygen-free bare copper conductors surrounded by … Read more
In order to remain UL 2196 / ULC-S139 (fire only) compliant when installing Radix Wire’s DuraLifeTM FPL Cables in an electrical circuit integrity system, contractors and system designers must abide by the UL-published System No. 28A (FHIT.28A) and System No. 28B (FHIT.28B). Certified hardware components must be utilized and system guidelines and limitations should be closely followed. But … Read more
Let’s talk about critical life-safety systems. When fire breaks out in a high-rise, occupants and first responders rely on the building’s Emergency Communication System (ECS) and fire alarms for fast evacuation and instant firefighting information. The safety of the occupants is the top priority for first responders, and Radix Wire’s DuraLifeTM FPL UL 2196 certified 2-hour rated circuit … Read more
Let’s talk about pathway survivability. What on Earth is that, you say? Keep reading and we’ll cover that and more! We receive a lot of calls from contractors who are installing fire alarm circuit integrity cables only they weren’t aware that our system exists, much less that they needed a UL 2196 certified 2-hour rated … Read more
VW-1 Flame Testing: What it is and Why It’s Important for Fire Resistive Cable and Electrical Wire To ensure the safety of the individuals inside your high rise building, your office and especially your home, you do everything you can. That includes using fire resistive alarm cable so that you know these individuals will be … Read more
Perhaps you’ve been using mineral insulated (MI) cable to meet fire alarm electrical code because you thought there was nothing else available. That is no longer true. There is now an alternative solution to MI cables the fully meet the 2 hour fire resistive circuit integrity requirement for high rises and critical facilities. Silicone based … Read more
Short for fluorinated ethylene propylene, FEP cable has many applications, and there are several advantages associated with using FEP cable over other types of cable. Let’s take a look at some of these uses and benefits in further detail, specifically examining why FEP may be equivalent, or even superior, to Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Advantage #1 of … Read more
