All you need to know about CPR

What is CPR? 

Here we have gathered everything you need to know about the new fire classification requirements. An EU requirement that means safer cables, clearer labeling and uniform fire classification.

What is CPR? 

In 2011, a new joint EU regulation was published regarding the CE marking for cables is mandatory from 1 July 2017. The new regulation applies to test methods and fire classification for cables used in buildings.

How does it affect me?

Wholesalers

As a wholesaler you must know what the standard contains and the affected products and you must ensure that you have the right products in stock. If you are the first wholesaler to introduce a cable from outside Europe, you are regarded as the manufacturer and you must guarantee that the product meets the standard.

You are also responsible for creating a DoP and for CE marking of the product.

Installers

All installers must be familiar with the change and must select the right cable on the basis of the building specification. It is important to check that the cable has a label with the CE marking and that the new fire classes appear on drum labels or packaging. "Old" products placed on the market before the transitional period can still be installed.

Consultants/owners

Consultants/owners, planners/designers, architects and buyers must be familiar with the new standard before they draw up new building specifications. They must know what the new standard involves, what products are covered by the standard and how to select the right cable for the particular building class.

CPR classification

The old fire classes for cable – F1, F2, F4A, F4B and F4C – will be replaced by new classes. The new classes are based on heat release, flame spread, smoke production and droplet formation, rather than flame spread alone as in the old rules.

The new classification scale is from A to F, in which F burns immediately and A provides the best protection. E in the new scale corresponds to the old Swedish minimum requirement F2.

As far as Sweden is concerned, the cables will be manufactured to be compliant with class Dca, s2, d2. However, classification requirements vary depending on the building For a full list, see Boverket’s building classes via the link to Selcable on the right.

For example the fire class for cables in blocks of flats or public buildings will be class D with supplementary requirements s2 d2, offering greater protection than the existing class F2. The new requirements relate primarily to flame spread and also smoke density and falling burning droplets. This means that only halogen-free cables are capable of meeting the requirements