RAM Polymer
CPR
CPR (Construction Products Regulation) covers all power, control, and communication cables used in buildings.
In the cable industry, the EN 50575 standard, which complies with CPR, defines the criteria that cables must meet regarding their fire reaction performance. It also mandates fire performance declarations (DoP) and CE marking for cables used in buildings.
The fire reaction performance of cables under CPR is measured using the test methods and setups specified in the EN 50399 and EN 60332-1-2 standards. Additionally, supplementary classification criteria have been defined, including smoke production (EN 61034-2), formation of flaming droplets (EN 50399), and acidity level (EN 60754-2).
To classify cables under CPR according to European Classes, their fire reaction performance must be measured. The test methods, setups, calibration of these setups, test procedures, and reporting of results to be applied in this process are detailed comprehensively in the EN 50399 standard.
The EN 50399 test method is used to evaluate the burning behavior of grouped cables arranged on a vertical ladder setup. The results of this test enable the preparation of the cables' Declaration of Performance (DoP).
The EN 50399 test apparatus, while similar to the setup used in the EN 60332-3-10 standard, includes additional equipment that allows the measurement of parameters such as heat release, smoke production, oxygen consumption, CO2 emission, and volume flow during the test.
This test records all data in detail from the moment the cable ignites. The rate of flame spread along the cable is measured by the heat release rate to determine the fire's impact on the environment, while the density of smoke production is analyzed to assess its effect on the reduction of visibility in the fire zone.
