Cable Fire Protection

CharCoat Cable Coating

CharCoat CC Cable Coating has now become the most sought after Cable Fire Protection coating in the market today. Our CharCoat Cable Coating is “built for purpose” in Fire Rating electrical cables and cable systems in Hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon environments (currently up to 90 minutes).

For over 20 years CharCoat has been supplying the most up to date solutions to stop electrical cable fires. CharCoat CC, our FM Approved Intumescent Latex Cable Coating stops fire from spreading on the cable surface at the source and simultaneously increases the fire resistance of the Electrical Power, Control or Communication Cable (single, grouped or in tray) for:

• 90 minutes under IEC 60331-11/21 (1100°C)
• 90 minutes under IEC 60331-11/21 (750°C)

Without doubt, some of the most dangerous and highly flammable materials in a workplace are Electrical Cables (sheaths). Whether on HV, MV or LV Electrical Cables, fire will spread along the surface of the cable to other areas of the facility; not only spreading fire and destruction, but lethal toxic gases such as hydrochloric gas produced by the burning PVC cable. Couple this with water and you have Hydrochloric Acid, which will spread through a facility rendering all electronics obsolete.

The original function of cable coatings was to prevent flame propagation (spread of flame) and stop the loss of assets due to cable fires. There is no doubt that spread of flame coatings do stop fires, but the cable is lost to the fire, therefore replacement cable and downtime is required, this can amount to weeks, not days.

Spread of flame coatings are applied to stop flame propagation only (IEC 60332-3), they are not installed to save the cable. CharCoat CC on the other hand stops the flame spread and saves the cable. CharCoat CC is not only tested to IEC 60332-3 and FM3971, But also to IEC60331-11 and IEC60331-21 (750⁰C and 1100⁰C). This is a massive difference in protecting the asset and minimizing downtime and cost.

What Does This Mean?

Cables coated with CharCoat CC have continued integrity for up to 90 minutes in a Hydrocarbon based fire (1100°C). CharCoat CC can be applied in petrochemical facilities, offshore platforms, gas plants and chemical plants where hydrocarbons are present.

Notable Approvals:

• FM3971
• FM3971 – No Deration
• IEC 60331-11/21 – 750°C (HV)
• IEC 60331-11/21 – 1100°C
• IEC 60332-3 – Spread of flame
• IEEE-383 – Flammability Test
• ASTM E 84 – Flammability Test
• ASTM E162
• ASSTM D4256-83 – Nuclear Test
• ASTM D2565 – UV Stability Test
• 870C Radiant Temp Test

How Intumescent Coatings Function:

As an Intumescent Coating, CharCoat CC protects through Insulation, it expands under heat and form an insulating char (up to 800%) that continues to insulate and protect the cable under fire for a period of time. As CharCoat CC is an Intumescent Latex and 100% UV stable (tested and approved for exterior use), it can be applied to exterior cables (salt water exposure testing to FM3971 / UV stability test completed 2016), it is perfect for full exterior application.

As UV is one of the most damaging rays to electrical cable sheaths, applying the CharCoat CC on exterior cable, this will also extend the lifetime of any cable without failure. Lifetime extension of the cable is paramount in facilities where re-cabling costs are sometimes financially crippling, but required. In coating the cables with CharCoat CC, facilities protect the sheath from damaging UV rays and can in most instance extend the lifetime of the cable up to 15 years.