The hidden element

It can often be an intensive and time consuming task to identify good products from the potentially not so good. In the case of cable, a good compliant product doesn't appear, on the surface, to be fundamentally different from a dangerous substandard one. However, the differences in product performance could have serious implications. Substandard power cable could overheat and cause a fire, or in a fire situation could easily burn, propagating the fire as well as producing dangerous toxic fumes. And if the cable is part of a fire detection system, failure could prevent the raising of the alarm.

In defining standards and systems for fire prevention the quality dimension in the specification of power and datacoms cable is being given a higher priority.

But what device can cable specifiers and buyers rely on to enable them to distinguish a dependable, conforming product from the potentially unreliable? The answer is the BASEC certification mark.

As all the economic indicators are pointing to the UK cable market continuing to be a target for cheap, and potentially inferior product, so the requirement for an independent, third party quality certification is more important today than ever.

Two of the most important facts for cable specifiers and buyers to keep in mind are: cable manufacturers are allowed, themselves, to declare their product's conformance with the relevant BS specification; and they are not obliged to have this claim confirmed by an independent third party.

In contrast, it is a precondition of BASEC product certification that manufacturers must operate a management system where the production and manufacturing processes meet the requirements of BASEC specification BA2250 Parts 1 and 2. BA2250 is a management system specification issued by BASEC, based on the principles of ISO 9000, but specifically relating to manufacturers of cable.

In addition, the manufacturer must possess all the necessary test facilities and satisfactorily implement the testing regimes required in the individual product specification eg BS 6004, BS 6500, as well as enjoying continued success in random, detailed testing of product samples taken by BASEC from the production line.

Once the management system and production processes have been approved, BASEC auditors make regular visits to factories to make sure that systems and manufacturing processes are kept up to scratch. Any deviations from the standards are noted, the manufacturer informed and given time to complete corrective actions. If the deviation might have resulted in defective production, then BASEC will insist on the recall of all suspect products from the marketplace.

When BASEC conducts an audit, all manufacturing processes are assessed in detail and product testing methods are evaluated and verified. In addition, the plant and equipment used both in production and sample testing is evaluated. The purpose here is to confirm that plant employed is capable of making the product correctly, and that testing equipment is suitable, correctly calibrated and can perform its tasks accurately.

One of the latest legislative developments in the UK is the imminent incorporation of structured cabling infrastructures into the EU Construction Products Directive (CPD).

This would set rules and regulations to ensure that cables conform to new fire and safety performance legislation. Under the directive all cables in buildings would be required to have an independent, third party certification of compliance.

While energy cable installations, up to the outlet socket, would be included in the Directive, there would also be a considerable focus on data cabling, the installed volume of which has grown rapidly over recent years.

The main concern of the CPD is the reaction of cabling in a fire situation. How long does an individual cable take to ignite? What happens to it when it does set fire? How much heat is generated? Does it produce noxious fumes?

All these questions need to be addressed in a product testing process, as they have different impacts on the ability of personnel to safely evacuate a building, and on the effectiveness and safety of fire fighting crews. The potential to spread fire and the generation of smoke and harmful fumes are the most important cable related issues. Cables are a relatively small element in the total of combustible products within a building, however, because they reach into every area of the building's fabric, they could easily be the means to propagate the fire.

Under the CPD all formally certified or verified cable products would be placed into a newly agreed grading scheme that 'bands' cables by their fire performance. Fire regulators would then decide which grade of cable is required in a building, or particular part of a building, and specifiers would be required to install only cable of that type, bearing an independent certificate of compliance. Quality would be assured and a large amount of uncertainty and doubt would be removed.