POWER-LIMITED FIRE ALARM CABLES CONTINUED West Lafayette IN

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 West Lafayette.

Local Companies

B & R Fire Protection Inc
(765) 743-4240
West Lafayette, IN
A B K Alarms
(812) 473-5232
1201 N Weinbach Ave
Evansville, IN
Adt
(219) 465-4000
Valparaiso, IN
Koorsen Fire & Security
(812) 279-1538
Bedford, IN
Cellular Works
(812) 941-9890
2736 Charlestown Rd
New Albany, IN
Nelson Alarm Inc
(317) 255-2125
2602 E 55th St
Indianapolis, IN
McLntire Alarm Company
(812) 445-3025
8218 N US Highway 31
Seymour, IN
ABC Fire & Burglar Alarm Co
(219) 981-4085
Gary, IN
Martin Security System
(219) 464-4364
Valparaiso, IN
Able Alarm & Electronic Protection Inc
(812) 265-2527
Madison, IN

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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


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