Come visit us at the NFPA 2026 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: June 22-24 Where: Las Vegas, NV For more information, please visit: nfpa.org
Radix Wire & Cable is excited to attend EPC 2026 (Energy Projects Conference & Expo)—a key event for the oil, gas, and energy industries! In this demanding sector, wire and cable must endure extreme temperatures, abrasion, impacts, and chemical exposure while meeting strict safety and performance standards. That’s why industry leaders trust Radix for high-temperature, … Read more
Radix Wire and Cable is excited to attend the Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo in Milwaukee! As the leading manufacturer of high-performance, extreme-temperature wire and cable, we’re looking forward to connecting with industry professionals, showcasing our innovative solutions, and discussing how our products—rated from 150°C to 1,000°C and up to 40kV—can meet your most demanding … Read more
Radix Wire and Cable is excited to attend AISTech 2026, steel’s premier technology event! In the demanding world of steel production, high temperatures, chemical exposure, and constant flexing put extreme stress on wire and cable. That’s why industry leaders trust Radix for high-quality, high-temperature solutions built for the harshest environments. Whether you’re responsible for plant … Read more
Come visit us at the 2022 Joint Northwestern/Southwestern Section Meeting.
Radix is heading to Data Center World, and we’re excited to connect with industry leaders and innovators shaping the future of critical infrastructure. From April 20–23, our team will be at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., showcasing the high-performance wire and cable solutions that power and protect mission-critical environments. With 80 … Read more
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
