Fire class Dca cables save lives and property

Every year, around 40 people lose their lives in fires in Norway. Most people don't die from the flames, but from smoke and gases.

This makes the choice of materials we use in buildings and homes, including cables, crucial to fire safety.

The government has set a zero vision that no one should die in a fire. We contribute to this goal by choosing safer alternatives.

What are fire classes and CPR?

Today, PVC cables are often used in Norway. These only fulfil fire class E. Fire class E cables emit smoke and corrosive gases during a fire, which can prevent evacuation, cause greater damage to property and increase the risk of life-threatening situations.

Low-smoke or Low Fire Hazard cables are often synonymous with fire class D cables. By choosing such cables, we can achieve better safety and reduce the extent of damage.

What do the regulations say today?

Today's regulations (NEK 400) prescribe a minimum of fire class D, but also allow for many exceptions. In practice, fire class E is therefore often used in many installations in Norway.

This means that many buildings do not benefit from the better fire properties that cables with a higher classification can offer. Fire class D cables can, in principle, be used everywhere in buildings, which often means a reduction in complexity during the installation phase.

Why choose fire class D

By choosing cables with fire class Dca-s2d2a2 we can:

• Reduce smoke generation and avoid dangerous, corrosive gases.
• Prevent the spread of fire, which protects life and property.
• Reduce damage to buildings and materials, which lowers the cost of rehabilitation.

Several countries, including Sweden, have introduced fire class D as a standard. Norway is lagging behind, but we have the opportunity to catch up. There are also environmental reasons for choosing fire class D cables. These cables meet the requirements for environmentally certified buildings (e.g. the Nordic Swan Ecolabel).

What does Dca-s2d2a2 mean?

Dca: fire class D, on a scale of A to F, where ‘ca’ stands for ‘cable’.

• s2 (‘s’ = smoke): level 2 in terms of smoke, meaning that the cable is ‘smoke-free’, i.e. no black smoke obstructing visibility.
• d2 (‘d’ = droplets): Level 2 in terms of droplets means that the material has little tendency to drip when burning, which reduces the risk of fire spreading.
• a2 (‘a’ = acidity): level 2 in terms of corrosivity, meaning absence of corrosive gases.

What do the experts say?

How can we increase fire safety together?

• 1. Choose the right cable: Use cables with fire class D as standard for new installations and renovations.
• 2. Raise awareness in the industry: Installers, property owners and fire engineers need to know the benefits of Low Fire Hazard cables.
• 3. Long-term thinking: Cables are installed for decades - make sustainable and safe choices today. It can increase the value of your property in the long term.

Your role in vision zero

By choosing cables with a higher fire rating, we can save lives, better protect property and reduce costs. Next-generation cables are a simple but crucial step towards safer buildings.

Read more about how you can increase fire safety in your project here, and sign up for our newsletter or upcoming webinars to stay updated!