Experiments on development, spreading and detection of cable fires

Abstract

Tests were carried out to investigate the development and spreading of fires in electrically overloaded cables, and the fire detection capabilities of various smoke detectors. Three tests were performed on horizontal cable trays having different cable arrangements. The development and propagation of the fire between cables and cable trays was observed and its influence on the functional capability of neighbouring cables noted. The development and spreading of smoke was measured together with the actuation of the smoke detector systems. Test results showed that each of the smoke detectors was able to detect a smouldering cable and actuate alarms well before the cable being tested actually caught fire, and well before adjacent cables or cables in neighbouring trays, would have lost their ability to perform their normal electrical functions. Such test results can provide useful input to risk studies involving the assessment of cable fires.