POWER-LIMITED FIRE ALARM CABLES CONTINUED Minneapolis MN

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 Minneapolis.

Local Companies

Adt Security Services Incorporated
(612) 871-6202
430 Oak Grove St
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis Locksmith Services
866-790-7217
154 S 5th St
minneapolis, MN
Guardian Angel Security
(952) 542-0716
6009 Wayzata Blvd Ste 221
Minneapolis, MN
Guardian Angel Security Systems Inc
(952) 542-0716
6005 Wayzata Blvd
Minneapolis, MN
C.E.U Custom Electronics & Upholstery
(612) 432-0071
407 Central Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN
Central Lock & Safe
(612) 788-9024
2000 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN
Alarm Products Distributors
651- 647-0234
2350 Territorial RD
St. Paul, MN
B-Safe Lock & Alarm
(612) 588-3270
4757 Lyndale Ave N
Minneapolis, MN
Wellington Security Systems
(612) 822-1191
4 E Diamond Lake RD
Minneapolis, MN
Legacy Security Technology
(763) 781-5945
PO Box 21023
Minneapolis, MN

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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

Adt Security Services Incorporated

(612) 871-6202
430 Oak Grove St
Minneapolis, MN