Standard for Fire Safety in Cable runs

Safety Standard
Document no: SS/ELEC-09
Version: 4.0, Issue Date: 10th February 2016

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Name Umesh Prasad Anurag Saxena

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liHead EHV, Chief, Steel Making Electrical

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Designation Maintenance Expert Group Maintenance

Prepared by Authorized by

CONFIDENTIALITY
The information contained in this document is confidential to Tata Steel. Accordingly, copyright of
this document is retained with Tata Steel and no copying in any format of this document is permitted
without the written permission from the approver of this document.
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Change Authorization
Document Number SS/ELEC-09
Apex Safety Standard Sub-committee,
Overall Process Owner
Tata Steel.
Process Change Authorization Standard Owner - TSL
To be Reviewed By Standard Owner – TSL

Periodicity of Review of this Document Three years

Version Control History

Ver. Date Version Details Prepared by Authorized by Revision Details
1.New UMC-
0788A0530 for fire
stop coating, 2.

a r d Plastic mould used

for making cast resin

n d joint of cable shall be

removed after

4.0 th
10 Feb 2016 th
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4 Revision
S Umesh Prasad Anurag Saxena
setting of cast resin,
and in case of buried
joint, the plastic

li d mould may be left

intact

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3. LHS (Linear Heat
Sensing cable) may
be used for cable
tunnel /cable vault /
cable trestle
13th Dec Anurag
3.0 3rd Revision D M Chowdhury
2010 Saxena
29th Sept Anurag
2.0 2nd Revision D M Chowdhury
2010 Saxena
30th Aug Anurag
1.0 1ST Revision D M Chowdhury
2009 Saxena
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Table of Contents
1.0 Purpose ............................................................................................................................... 4
2.0 cope…………………...……………………………………………………………………………….4
3.0 Reference ............................................................................................................................ 4
4.0Annnexure………………………...………….………………………………………………… …… 4
5.0 Responsibility ....................................................................................................................... 4
6.0 Definitions ............................................................................................................................ 4
7.0 Procedures and Guidelines………………...…….….…………………………………………….. 5
9.0 Annexure-1 ………………………………………………… ………………………………. . 8

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1. Purpose: Purpose of this safety standard is to achieve adequate Fire safety in cable
runs in Tata Steel Works.

2. Scope:
 This procedure covers the requirements of fire safety in respect of cable runs in
trenches, vaults, tunnels, trays, shafts, risers etc in industrial complex.
 If cable laid is already fire retardant type there is no need to apply fire protective
paint or Fire Stop on the cable.

3. Reference: IS: 12459 – 1988

4. Annexure:
Annexure-1-Technical specification of UMC for fire retardant coating

Responsibility: All IEM heads/Unit leaders/Elect project in-charge from Engg, in whose
command area the cable belongs.

5. Definitions:

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Cable run: A stretch of cable(s) for carrying the electrical current from one point to other.

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Cable tray: A horizontal or vertical support for cable run. A cable tray may support one or
more cables.
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Cable rack: Two or more cable trays arranged one over other.

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Cable Trench/Tunnel/Gallery: Any closed section of the structure or building which
primarily serves as a distribution route for cables for electrical power and/or control and
monitoring of the equipment. These may range in size from conduits to walk through
corridors. Trenches may at times also be laid in open ground. All cable trenches are
usually equipped with removable covers.

Fire Prone Area: Any area which fulfills the following criteria
 The area which has history of fire in the cables.
 The area which is full of combustible material in the surrounding like non ventilated
oil cellars etc.
 The area where the ambient temperature may go high in normal operating
conditions more than 70 degC for one hour continuously such as Oven top in the
Coke ovens, passing through hot metal handling zones in LD and Blast Furnaces,
near Reheating Furnace in Mills, Boilers in power plant etc.
 Any other area identified by the Engineer in-charge.

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Cable Vaults: Cable vaults are generally built below a control room wherein cables from
various facilities terminate before entering the control room. Since cable trenches,
tunnels, shafts, trays etc. generally terminate in the cable vault, this is considered to be
most critical area. Maximum density of cable is in cable vaults.
Fire Stop: Fire Stop system is a specific construction consisting of the material like
Mortars, mineral wool sheet or other fire resistance materials which is provided around
the penetrating items such as cables, cable trays, conduits, pipes etc. through the wall.
The Fire Stop system is primarily designed to prevent the spread of fire from one
compartment to other compartment by filling the opening around penetrating items.
Rating of Fire stop should be more than two hours, British standard BS 476, Part
20.

6. Procedures and guidelines:

i. Planning: Area in charge / Engineering division shall analyze the need for fire protection
in cable runs in whose command area cable belongs based on the guidelines given
below.

ii. The concept of fire protection of cable trenches/tunnels/vaults is based on the following
consideration:
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 Preventing / delaying fire damage to the cables to preserve their functioning
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and increasing their resistance to fire.
 Preventing/retarding flame propagation through cable runs.
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 Providing effective fire detection and alarm system.
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iii. For cable above 230 volts , fire resistant should be applied just below the end termination

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up to a length of one meter inside the panel (if space available), just below the panel
entry up to a length of one meter, joints up to a length of one meter in both directions.

Motor terminal box are excluded, but Transformer terminal box included

For cable of voltage 33 kV and above, cable entry to the panel should also be protected
with Fire Stop (see definition clause 6) along with fire resistant coating as above.

iv. For all cables, fire protective paint should be applied on entire length if passing through
Fire Prone Area. (See definitions clause-6).

v. For cables above 230 volts, fire resistant coating should be applied on entire exposed
vertical length like connecting different floors etc. Even if the vertical length cable is laid on
Tray, trench etc. but exposed should be coated with fire stop coating. If vertical length cable
is passing through duct, and duct is adequately sealed against fire propagation and cable is
not exposed, then coating on cable is not required.

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vi. Cable above 230 Volts in cable tunnels /cable trays should be painted up to a length of
one meter at an interval of every 30 meter. Cable entry into the vault should be protected
with fire barrier / fire stop.
If cable below and up to 230 volt (like FO, Control, Instrument, telephone, Power cable
etc.) is also passing along the same route within the vicinity of 2 meter from cable >230
volt should also be treated as above.

vii. Cables above 230 volts in cable tunnel / cable vaults/ Cable trestle should be protected
by automatic fire alarm system as per Engineer in charge. The following type of fire
detectors may be used :
Smoke detectors (IS 11360 – 1985)
Heat detectors (IS: 2175 – 1988)
Heat detectors linear heat sensing type

a) In case of cable trestle, Fire detection (smoke or heat detector) is not effective
because of strong wind & open surroundings; hence it shall not be installed

b) LHS (Linear Heat Sensing cable) may be used for cable tunnel /cable vault / cable
trestle

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viii. The wet film thickness of fire retardant coating should be such that after drying 1.6 mm is

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achieved (Dry film thickness) uniformly on all exposed sides and also there should not be

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variation in coating across length than specified. The instrument used for measuring the
coating thickness (like – Elcometer etc.) shall be brought by the respective supplier at the

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time of coating on cables.
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ix. Specification details of “Fire stop coating on cables”: Based on the details furnished by
the suppliers and results of the field tests conducted at Tata Steel, the following eight
makes of “Fire stop coating for cables” are approved for procurement and use.

UMC number for the same which also covers detailed technical specification and
application methodology is given below (Technical specification of UMC no-0788A0530
is attached as Annexure-1):

UMC No. Suitable Product Packaging

size
KBS Coating brushable/ sprayable Manufactured by M/s 7 Kg, 25 or 35
Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, in originally Kg
imported package.
0788A0530
Flammdur A77 with Flammadur E424 top coat only (For every 20 kg
2KG of A77, 500ml of E424 is to be supplied to make weather
proof) manufactured by M/s AIK Flammadur Germany in

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original imported package.

3M FireDam 2000 Coating manufactured by 3M; UK in 26 kg
original imported package.
Spec Seal CS105 manufactured by M/s Specified 19 L (20.9 KG)
Technologies Inc, USA in original package.
FS 15 manufactured by M/s Fire Security Systems, 25 kg
Canada/Norway in original imported package.
Instamatic 285 manufactured by M/s Carboline USA/ Norway 19 L (23 kg)
in original imported package.
CP 679A manufactured by M/s Hilti Germany in original 20 kg
imported package.
Inca DC 6150 brushable / sprayable manufactured by INCA 25 kg
Taiwan in original imported package.

x. Fire protection of cables in hot metal splinters zone like Steel making plants: LD1/2/3
shall be finalized after the trial in pilot area at LD3. Two numbers UMC (0117A0666-fire
proof sealant, 1012A0060-Fire proof encapsulation) have been created for taking the above
trial.

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xi. Plastic mould used for making cast resin joint of cable shall be removed after setting of
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cast resin, and in case of buried joint, the plastic mould may be left intact (refer IS

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1255, clause no-12.1.5 f) . The plastic mould is highly inflammable and become
source of fire
joint with split
in case

S ta of joint failure. In case of single core cable, cover the

Hume pipe after removal of the plastic mould.

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Refer MEDE SOP no-S&T/751/01/61 “Plastic mould Removal of Tapex Joint of the
cable laid on Tray” in GDCS.

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xii. Ventilation fan should not be kept running in cable tunnel to prevent propagation of fire. It
is to be started when entering in the tunnel is required.

xiii. If the Cable is passing nearby the flange joints / Valves of Pipeline carrying Steam/Hot
Air blast, Area in charge / Engineering Division shall analyze the site condition and take
necessary action to prevent the damage of Cable due to leakage of Steam / Hot blast from
the joints / Valves. The temperature and pressure of Steam and Hot blast is given in following
table:

Steam/Hot blast Temperature Pressure

Steam 300⁰C LP:15 Kg
500⁰C HP:62-63 Kg
Hot Air Blast (Blast 1000-1200 ⁰C Varies as per BF design. e.g. 3.5
furnaces) bar for GBF.

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Annexure-1: Technical Specification of UMC no 0788A0530

Short Description:
Fire Retardant Coating for Cables
===============================
Technical Specification:
DESCRIPTION: FIRE RETARDANT COATING FOR CABLES
SPECIFICATION: FIRE RETARDANT PAINT SHOULD HAVE ASTM/FMRC APPROVAL
MARK
===============================
Additional Specification:
General Instructions:
Following are the only suitable product and manufacturers for supply of Fire Retardant
Coating on cables:
(1) KBS Coating brushable/sprayable Manufactured by M/s. Cognis Deutschland GmbH
& Co. KG,Germany, in originally imported package of size 7 Kg, 25 or 35 Kg.

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(2) Flammadur A77 Fire stop Coating with Flammadur E424 top coat only (For every 2KG
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of A77, 500ml of E424 is to be supplied to make weather proof) manufactured by M/s AIK
Flammadur Germany in Original imported package of size 20 kg only.

size 26 kg only. S ta
(3) 3M Fire Dam 2000 Coating manufactured by 3M , UK in original imported package of

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(4) Spec Seal CS105 Cable Coating manufactured by M/s Specified Technologies Inc.,

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USA in original package of size 19 L (20.9 KG).
(5) FS 15 Cable Coating manufactured by M/s Fire Security Systems, Canada/Norway in
original imported package of size 25 kg only
(6) Intumastic 285 for Coating on cables manufactured by M/s Carboline USA/ Norway in
original imported package of size 19 L (23 kg)
(7) CP 679A Cable coating manufactured by M/s Hilti Germany in original imported
package of size 20 kg only.
(8) Inca DC 6150 brushable/sprayable manufactured by INCA Taiwan in original imported
package of size 25 kg only
Technical Specifications:
1) Fire Stop Coating should be compatible for FRLS, PVC, Neoprene, silicone rubber etc.
sheathing of cables.
2) It should not impair the current carrying capacity of the cables.
3) It should not impair the dielectric strength of the cables.
4) It should retard the fire spread due to internal short circuit of cables or external source
and arrest its propagation along vertical as well as horizontal direction of cables.
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5) It should be water, oil and weather resistant and suitable for indoor as well as outdoor
applications. Its property should not deteriorate for a period of use for a minimum of 20
years after prolonged exposure to indoor /outdoor/damp environment.
6) Coating materials must adhere to the cables and maintain their fire protection
properties through a temperature range of -40 degree C to 71 degree C
7) It should be non-toxic, eco-friendly, and phosphate free and shall not contain any
substance which is carcinogenic or hypoallergenic.
8) The material supplied should be freshly manufactured and shall have a shelf life of at
least 12 months from the date of receipt at our stores, when kept unopened in original
container at room temperature.
9) Coating should have ASTM/FMRC (Factory mutual research corporation, USA)
approval mark or equivalent.
10) The product container shall be marked with the following information:
i) Manufacturer’s name and address
ii) Complete identity
iii) Traceability code and batch number
iv) BAR Code
v) Practical application instruction
vi) Storage and shipping information
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vii) Shelf life
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viii) ASTM/FMRC or equivalent mark
11) Fire retardant coating material should comply the following tests:

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Flame propagation on coated cables, Fire exposure, Salt water exposure etc.

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12) The Product should be supplied with MSDS (Material Safety Data sheet)
Note for the vendor:
a) In case of Flammadur A77 Fire stop Coating, E424 top coat is an integral part of the
fire coating to make weather proof only, so price for E424 is not to be quoted separately
although quantity is to be mentioned separately for both A77 and E424. Price to be
quoted for Flammadur A77 fire stop coating which shall include the cost of E424 also.
b) The party should send the detailed application procedure with the Cable coating
Container.
c) Fire stop coating should be applied on the surface of cable such that dry film thickness
of 1.6 mm is achieved.
Price evaluation process: Following details to be taken for price evaluation:
(1) KBS Coating Brushable /Sprayable:
Recommended WFT to achieve 1.6 mm DFT= 2.5mm
Wet density (in gm/cm3) = 1.43
Hence, Quantity required (in kg) for ONE Sq.m surface area with 1.6mm
DFT = 2.5 X 1.43 = 3.575
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(2) FLAMMDUR A77 Fire Stop Coating:

Recommended WFT to achieve 1.6 mm DFT= 2.5mm
Wet density (in gm/cm3) = 1.29
Hence, Quantity required (in kg) for ONE Sq.m surface area with 1.6mm
DFT = 2.5 X 1.29 = 3.225
(3) 3M FIREDAM 2000 Coating:
Recommended WFT to achieve 1.6 mm DFT= 2.6 mm
Wet density (in gm/cm3) = 1.3
Hence, Quantity required (in kg) for ONE Sq.m surface area with 1.6mm
DFT = 2.6 X 1.3 = 3.38
(4) Spec Seal CS105 Cable coating:
Recommended WFT to achieve 1.6 mm DFT= 3.2 mm
Wet density (in gm/cm3) = 1.1
Hence, Quantity required (in kg) for ONE Sq.m surface area with 1.6mm
DFT = 3.2 X 1.1 = 3.52
(5) FS 15 Cable Coating:

Wet density (in gm/cm3) = 1.42

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Recommended WFT to achieve 1.6 mm DFT= 2.24 mm

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Hence, Quantity required (in kg) for ONE Sq.m surface area with 1.6mm
DFT = 2.24 X 1.42 = 3.18
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(6) INTUMASTIC 285 brushable / sprayable:
Recommended WFT to achieve 1.6 mm DFT= 3.2 mm

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Wet density (in gm/cm3) = 1.21
Hence, Quantity required (in kg) for ONE Sq.m surface area with 1.6mm
DFT = 3.2 X 1.21 = 3.87
(7) CP 679 A brushable / sprayable:
Recommended WFT to achieve 1.6 mm DFT= 2.56 mm
Wet density (in gm/cm3) = 1.35
Hence, Quantity required (in kg) for ONE Sq.m surface area with 1.6mm
DFT = 2.56 X 1.35 = 3.46
(8) INCA DC 6150 brushable / sprayable:
Recommended WFT to achieve 1.6 mm DFT= 2.5 mm
Wet density (in gm/cm3) = 1.65
Hence, Quantity required (in kg) for ONE Sq.m surface area with 1.6mm
DFT = 2.5 X 1.65 = 4.13

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Note: Price of the product to be evaluated based on the quantity required for coating one
meter square surface area with 1.6 mm DFT coating. Final price to be evaluated
considering both material supply and its service (application) charge.

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