POWER-LIMITED FIRE ALARM CABLES CONTINUED Buffalo NY

The following contains home security information you should know about power-limited fire alarm cables. Read on if you or a loved one is interested in home improvement and security in Buffalo.

Local Companies

Sos Systems
716-831-0151
3811 Harlem Rd
Buffalo, NY
Sonitrol Security Systems of Buffalo, Rochester & Metro Toronto
(716) 847-0900
195 Elm St.
Buffalo, NY
Security Integrations, div of SI Technologies, Inc.
(518) 452-3505
701 Seneca St.
Buffalo, NY
Doyle Security Systems
716-685-5700
81 Benbro Dr
Buffalo, NY
Buffalo & Suburban Alarm Co
716-835-1137
155 Windermere Blvd
Buffalo, NY
Mikeco Security Systems
716-634-1949
252 Zimmerman Blvd
Buffalo, NY
Omalleysk9 Services
716- 308-7075
Baraga St
Buffalo, NY
Alarmco Security System Wny Inc
716-674-1147
4063 Seneca St
Buffalo, NY
PRO Tecc Security Systems
716-675-4398
5647 Seneca St
Buffalo, NY
Netanium Network Security
(716) 803-8801
3260 Walden Ave.
Buffalo, NY

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DIGGING FOR AN ANSWER TO UNDERGROUND CABLE

Q As a follow up to last month's questions on Power-Limited Fire Alarm Cables (FPL), is there a requirement to use FPL in conduit that is installed underground from one building to another building? The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) says I always have to use "fire alarm cable."

A No. Type FPL is meant to be installed exposed in a building, and when following the rules from Article 760.15, Part B, conduit isn't necessary. To be given the FPL designation is to indicate that the conductor's insulation/jacket will be "resistant to the spread of fire," which is not a factor with buried cable.

Therefore, since FPL is not approved for "wet locations" and there is no such thing as "direct burial FPL cable," you are left with choosing one of three methods. Which method you choose will probably depend on how much you like to dig:

METHOD #1.METHOD #2.METHOD #3.
Use Direct Burial Cables or Conductors.Use Nonmetallic Raceways Listed for Direct Burial Without Concrete Encasement or Other Approved Raceways.Use Rigid Metal Conduit or Intermediate Metal Conduit.
Only copper conductors are permitted for fire alarm use (stranded or solid).Cables and insulated conductors installed in enclosures or raceways in underground installations shall be listed for use in wet locations.Cables and insulated conductors installed in enclosures or raceways in underground installations shall be listed for use in wet locations.
310.7 Direct burial cables or conductors. Conductors used for direct burial applications shall be of a type identified for such use.i.e. MTW, RHW, RHW-2, TW, THW, THW-2, THHW, THHW-2, THWN, THWN-2, XHHW, XHHW-2, ZW (or Direct Burial cables).i.e. MTW, RHW, RHW-2, TW, THW, THW-2, THHW, THHW-2, THWN, THWN-2, XHHW, XHHW-2, ZW (or Direct Burial cables).
Bury it at least 24 inches deep.Bury it at least 18 inches deep.Bury it at least 6 inches deep.

GREG KESSINGER, SET, CFPS, president of an alarm installing company since 1981, teaches NICET training classes to fire alarm system designers and installers and continuing education seminars for Ohio's fire alarm inspectors. You can reach him at 888-910-2272; e-mail: Greg@firealarm.org; or visit his website at www.FireAlarm.org.

author: By Greg Kessinger


Featured Local Company

Sos Systems

716-831-0151
3811 Harlem Rd
Buffalo, NY