Start With The Panel
The fire panel defines the loop: how many devices, what loop resistance it will accept, and whether the circuit is conventional or addressable. Everything about the cable follows from that.
Solid copper conductor keeps loop resistance predictable across the run. This is not the place to save money on conductor material.
Core Count And Spares
2-core covers a basic detection or sounder circuit. 4-core and 6-core are specified where the zone carries additional signalling or where the designer is leaving capacity for later devices.
Fire systems get extended. Allowing spare cores at order time costs a few percent; re-pulling a riser after handover costs a day and a permit.
Shielded Or Unshielded
- Clean, dedicated containment route — unshielded is normal
- Long parallel run alongside power cable — specify shielded
- Route through a plant room or next to drives — specify shielded
- Addressable loops with long spurs — shielded is the safer choice
Identification And Documentation
The red jacket is the reason a maintenance electrician can identify a life safety circuit without tracing it. Do not accept a substitute colour to save money on a batch.
Ask for the compliance certificate at order time, not at handover. Our fire alarm range is covered by Wstlab CE certification for 2-core through 22-core cable at AC60/750 V, 50/60 Hz, and the certificate is issued with the shipment.
Applying this to a live project? Send the specification and we will tell you how it lands for your case — how to choose fire alarm cable is exactly the kind of question we answer whether or not there is an order attached.
