Fire-resistant cable installation
Above suspended fire protection ceilings

OBO has been producing fire protection systems for electrical installations for many years. In accordance with the requirements of statutory regulations and legal provisions, all systems have been tested and approved to applicable fire protection standards. As safety is becoming an ever more prevalent issue, legislators are continuing the now familiar trend of setting out more and more specifications for fire protection. The validity of these specifications extends to electrical installations, and proof of such compliance must be provided. Options for fire-resistant cable installation above suspended fire protection ceilings do of course also fall within the scope of such specifications.

MLAR (guidelines for the fire protection requirements to be met by cable systems in Germany)
The latest version of MLAR, published in March 2000, has been adopted in currently enforceable construction law in all German states. This has led to the introduction of a number of important changes affecting electrical installations. With few exceptions, open cable installations may no longer be used in escape routes and emergency exits.

Options for cable installation in escape routes and emergency exits
In escape routes and emergency exits, electrical lines must be installed as follows:

• Individually, fully embedded in plaster or in wall channels covered with a layer of plaster
• In fire protection ducts, e.g. OBO BSK
• Above suspended ceilings

Requirements to be met when installing cables in false ceilings
Suspended fire protection ceilings, tested and approved for fire loads from above, ensure that false ceilings are protected against fire. In the event of the cables installed catching fire, escape routes and emergency exits can still be used. However, it must be ensured that the ceiling does not become subject to additional mechanical load in the event of fire. In the event of fire in a false ceiling, the latter must not come down or bow. This requirement is also applicable to all other installations, e.g. sanitary services, ventilation.

Options for cable installation in false ceilings
In principle, there are two methods for installing cables in false ceilings:

• Function maintenance installation systems to DIN 4102 Part 12
• Installation systems tested and approved specifically for this type of application

If function maintenance systems are used in conjunction with standard insulated cables and lines, all installation parameters must remain unaffected, in order to avoid invalidating test certificates proving compliance. However, these installation parameters are not entirely satisfactory for cable installation in practice.

Tested and approved installation options by OBO Bettermann
OBO Bettermann has carried out fire testing based on the requirements of DIN 4102 in order to make possible practical options for cable installation in false ceilings. The following solutions have been tested and approved:

• Wall-mounting and ceiling-mounting cable support systems
• Type 2031 M/15 and type 2031 M/30 grouped support for wall and ceiling mounting
• Type 2023 M and type 2034 M metal pressure clips for ceiling mounting