Tests with full scale table trays show halogenated cables spread fire whereas PIN flame retardant cable do not. Four tests looked at spread between electrical cabinets, through the cabinet wall and via floor or ceiling trays of cables close to the cabinets. Poorly fire rated PVC cables (IEC/EN 60332-1-2) were compared to non-halogenated flame retardant cables (meeting IEC/EN 60332-3 -22, -23, -24 and also smoke density and acidity IEC/EN 61034-2 and IEC/EN 60752-2). Fire spread via the cable trays, leading to ignition of components in adjacent cabinets, occurred when the cables were halogenated with poor fire rating, but not when the cables were PIN FR, for cable trays both above and below the cabinets. Fire showed to also spread directly from one cabinet to another if temperatures in the second cabinet reached 600°C, despite metal cabinet walls separated by an airgap.
“spread between adjacent electrical cabinets connected by cable trays”, P. Zavaleta, S. Suard, Fire Safety Journal 140 (2023) 103872 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2023.103872