BS 8519:2020 - Selection and Installation of Fire-Resistant Power and Control Cable Systems

Standard Number: BS 8519:2020

Pages: 48

Released: June 25, 2020

ISBN: 978 0 539 00951 4

Status: Standard

Overview

In today's world, ensuring the safety and reliability of critical infrastructure is paramount. The BS 8519:2020 standard provides a comprehensive code of practice for the selection and installation of fire-resistant power and control cable systems. This standard is essential for applications where life safety, fire-fighting, and other critical operations are involved.

Why Choose BS 8519:2020?

BS 8519:2020 is designed to guide professionals in the electrical and construction industries through the complexities of installing fire-resistant cable systems. This standard is crucial for ensuring that these systems perform effectively under fire conditions, thereby safeguarding lives and property. Here are some reasons why this standard is indispensable:

• Comprehensive Guidance: With 48 pages of detailed instructions, BS 8519:2020 covers all aspects of fire-resistant cable system installation, from selection to implementation.
• Up-to-Date Practices: Released in 2020, this standard reflects the latest advancements and best practices in fire safety and cable technology.
• Life Safety Focus: The primary aim of this standard is to ensure that power and control systems remain operational during a fire, providing critical support for life safety and fire-fighting efforts.

Applications

The BS 8519:2020 standard is applicable to a wide range of critical applications, including but not limited to:

• Life Safety Systems: Ensuring that emergency lighting, alarms, and communication systems remain functional during a fire.
• Fire-Fighting Systems: Supporting the operation of fire pumps, smoke extraction systems, and other essential fire-fighting equipment.
• Critical Infrastructure: Protecting power and control systems in hospitals, data centers, and other facilities where operational continuity is vital.

Key Features

BS 8519:2020 is packed with features that make it an essential tool for professionals involved in the design and installation of fire-resistant cable systems:

• Detailed Selection Criteria: Provides clear guidelines on selecting the appropriate cable types and materials based on specific application requirements.
• Installation Best Practices: Offers step-by-step instructions to ensure that cable systems are installed correctly and efficiently.
• Performance Testing: Includes criteria for testing and verifying the performance of installed systems under fire conditions.

Who Should Use This Standard?

BS 8519:2020 is an invaluable resource for a variety of professionals, including:

• Electrical Engineers: Responsible for designing and implementing electrical systems in buildings and infrastructure.
• Fire Safety Consultants: Advising on the best practices for fire-resistant installations to enhance safety and compliance.
• Construction Managers: Overseeing the installation of critical systems in new and existing structures.

Conclusion

Incorporating the BS 8519:2020 standard into your projects ensures that you are adhering to the highest levels of safety and reliability. This standard not only helps protect lives and property but also enhances the resilience of critical infrastructure. By following the guidelines set forth in this code of practice, you can be confident that your fire-resistant power and control cable systems will perform as needed when it matters most.

Invest in the safety and reliability of your projects with BS 8519:2020, the definitive guide for fire-resistant cable system installation.

BS 8519:2020

This standard BS 8519:2020 Selection and installation of fire-resistant power and control cable systems for life safety, fire-fighting and other critical applications. Code of practice is classified in these ICS categories:

• 29.060.01 Electrical wires and cables in general
• 13.220.20 Fire protection

This British Standard gives recommendations and guidance on the selection and installation of fire-resistant power and control cable systems which need to maintain their circuit integrity for life safety and fire-fighting. It also gives specific recommendations for electrical system design for such applications, and for fire survival times.

This British Standard is primarily intended for use in buildings which, due to their size, height, form or use, require the installation of life safety and fire-fighting systems, e.g. sprinkler pumps, wet riser pumps, smoke control systems, fire-fighting and evacuation lifts or other systems as required by the fire engineered strategy.

It covers:

• the source of supply;

• the distribution voltage [high voltage (HV) or low voltage (LV)]; and

• the appropriate location of the main intake rooms, HV switchrooms, LV switchrooms, transformer rooms, generator rooms, risers, fire life safety equipment plant rooms and fire‑fighting/evacuation lift motor rooms/shafts.

The British Standard can also be used for systems which need to maintain their circuit integrity during a fire because the function they support is critical for business continuity, property protection or environmental protection reasons.

This British Standard does not give recommendations for those installations covered in BS 5839‑1, BS 5839‑8, BS 5839‑9 and BS 5266‑1, but makes reference to these standards.