Data-communications cables in riser · PDF filethe wiring rules for data/comm cables in riser applications. In addition to riser ... platform for Panduit, ... ProMod_CIM_1108 1 7/14/11

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance OctOber 2011 27

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The National Electrical Code is pub-

lished by the National Fire Protection

Association with revisions on a three-

year schedule. The 2011 NEC, which

replaces the 2008 NEC, was released

by NFPA in August 2010. There were

many changes of interest to manu-

facturers, installers and users of com-

munications cable and connectivity

products.

This is the fourth article in a

series of nine articles, sponsored

by the Communications Cable and

Connectivity Association, concern-

ing those relevant changes in the NEC.

The initial article was an introduction

to the NEC, its scope and organiza-

tion. The second article discussed the

changes in types and installation rules

for data/comm raceways and the third

discussed the changes in the permit-

ted applications of data/comm cables

in air handling spaces.

This article deals with changes in

the wiring rules for data/comm cables

in riser applications. In addition to riser

cables (CMR, OFNR, CL2R, etc.), ple-

num cables (CMP, OFNP, CL2P, etc.)

are used in riser applications because

plenum cables are permitted to substi-

tute for riser cables. General-purpose

cables (CM, OFN, CL2, etc.) are also

permitted to be used in some riser

applications, but the typical riser cable

is either a riser-rated or plenum-rated

cable.

This article deals with changes in

the wiring rules for plenum, riser and

general-purpose data/comm cables in

riser applications.

1. Types CL2P, CL2R and CL2, Class 2

Plenum, Riser and General-Purpose

Cables

2. Types CL3P, CL3R and CL3, Class 3

Plenum, Riser and General-Purpose

Cables

3. Types OFNP, OFNR and OFN,

Nonconductive Optical Fiber

Plenum, Riser and General-Purpose

Cables

4. Types OFCP, OFCR and OFC,

Conductive Optical Fiber Plenum,

Riser and General-Purpose Cables

5. Types CMP, CMR, CM and CNG,

Communications Plenum, Riser and

General- Purpose Cables

6. Types CATVP, CATVR and CATV,

Cable TV Plenum, Riser and

General-Purpose Cables

7. Types FPLP, FPLR and FPL, Power-

Limited Fire Alarm Plenum, Riser

and General-Purpose Cables

listing requirements for

data-communications riser cables

All data/comm riser cables are listed

as “suitable for use in a vertical run

in a shaft or from floor to floor” and

also listed as “having fire-resistant

characteristics capable of prevent-

ing the carrying of fire from floor to

floor.” The listing requirements are fol-

lowed by an informational note refer-

ring to ANSI/UL 1666-2002, Test for

Flame Propagation Height of Electrical

and Optical-Fiber Cable Installed

Vertically in Shafts. The test uses a

substantial fire source to determine

Data-communications cablesin riser applications

as the 2011 national Electrical Code indicates, it’s not

just riser-rated cables that can be used in riser spaces.

By stanlEy Kaufman, CaBlEsafE inC.

A simple way to comply with these

requirements is to use plenum or riser

cables in all riser applications.

28

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oCtoBEr 2011 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

whether or not a cable will spread fire

to the floor above.

Data-communications cables in riser

applications

Consistent with their listings in the

2008 and 2011 NEC, all data/comm

riser cables are permitted to be used

in all riser applications. In addition,

each type of data/comm plenum cable,

is permitted to substitute for its riser

cable because the severity of test-

ing requirements for plenum cables

exceeds the requirements for testing

riser cables.

In the 2008 and 2011 NEC, there

are three situations in which all data/

comm cables (plenum, riser and gen-

eral-purpose) are permitted to be

installed:

1. In fireproof shafts with firestops at

each floor

2. In one- and two-family dwellings

3. In metal raceway

Other than in one- and two-fam-

ily dwellings the 2008 NEC permits

general-purpose data/comm cables

(Types CL2, CL3, OFN, OFC, CM,

CMG, CATV and FPL) to be used in

vertical runs penetrating only one floor.

However these general-purpose cables

are not permitted to be installed in

the same floor penetration as the floor

penetration containing riser or ple-

num cables. The floor penetration con-

taining riser or plenum cables was

typically part of a riser system that

extended to multiple floors, and the

inclusion of general-purpose cables in

the floor penetration could result in fire

spread from floor to floor to floor.

In the 2011 NEC the applications of

optical fiber and communications data/

comm cables have been simplified.

The provision for using Types OFN,

OFC, CM, CMG and CATV general-

purpose cables in vertical runs pen-

etrating only one floor (in their own

dedicated floor penetration) has been

deleted. These applications now

require riser cable (or plenum cable as

a substitute for riser cable).

The applications of class 2, class 3

and power-limited fire alarm general-

purpose cables remain the same in the

2011 NEC as in the 2008 NEC.

Section 725.154(G) permits gen-

eral-purpose communications cables

(Types CM and CMG) to substitute

for general-purpose class 2 and class

3 cables (Types CL2 and CL3) but

requires the substitute cables to be

installed in accordance with the wir-

ing rules for class 2 and class 3 cables.

A similar rule in section 760.154(D)

permits Types CM and CMG to sub-

stitute for Type FPL but requires the

substitute cables to be installed in

CCCA elects officers, executive committee, pledges more vigilance

The Communications Cable and Connectivity Association (CCCA) recently

held its annual meeting, at which it elected new officers. Kevin Ressler of

TE Connectivity was elected chairman of the board; Randy Mortensen

of Anixter was elected secretary; and Rob Wessels of CommScope was

elected treasurer. They are joined by executive committee members Kevin

St. Cyr of Berk-Tek and Gary Stanitis of Daikin America.

CCCA executive director Frank Peri said, “I’m looking forward to work-

ing with CCCA’s new officers and governing body, who are equally com-

mitted to preventing potentially hazardous, non-compliant cable from

being imported, distributed and sold in the U.S. market. We still have a

long way to go. Through our industry alerts and continuing work with UL,

we are making progress.”

Ressler commented, “I want to congratulate outgoing officers and

members of the executive committee for their valuable contributions,

which guided CCCA’s growth and raised value to members and the struc-

tured cabling industry. My goal is to continue a tradition of growth by

broadening our membership base and supporting CCCA initiatives that

strengthen the quality and integrity of our industry.”

Also recently, the CCCA welcomed comCables and Panduit as members

of the association. Upon becoming a member, Panduit’s Tom Kelly stated,

“Panduit has been impressed with CCCA’s initiatives and activity to stem

the importation of potentially hazardous, non-compliant cables into North

America. We view CCCA as a strong industry association and excellent

platform for Panduit, and other members, to address the proliferation of

counterfeit products plaguing all levels of the structured cabling industry.”

-Patrick McLaughlin

R

ProMod_CIM_1108 1 7/14/11 10:25 AM

29www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance oCtoBEr 2011

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accordance with the wiring rules for

fire alarm cables. Consequently, Types

CM and CMG cables are not permit-

ted to be used in riser applications

penetrating only one floor when they

are being used for a communications

application (Article 800) but they are

permitted to be used in riser applica-

tions penetrating only one floor when

they are being used in a class 2, class 3

or power-limited fire alarm circuit.

A simple way to comply with these

complicated code requirements is to

use plenum or riser cables in all riser

applications. A further simplification is

to use communications cables in place

of class 2 or class 3 cables; if you do so,

it will not be necessary to determine

if the circuit is a data circuit or a com-

munications circuit.

The deadline for proposals for the

2014 NEC is November 4, 2011.

My next article will deal with cable

routing assemblies.

Author’s disclaimer: This paper, pro-

vided by the Communication Cable and

Connectivity Association (“CCCA”),

is offered for general information and

educational purposes.  It is not offered,

intended, nor should it be relied upon

as legal advice.  The paper does not

set forth the views of any member or

any other party, nor may it be taken

as such.  CCCA makes no warranty

regarding the accuracy of the infor-

mation provided in this paper, and

expressly disclaims any implied war-

ranties and any liability for use of the

paper or reliance on views expressed in

it.  CCCA does not endorse, approve, or

certify any information set forth in this

paper, nor does it guarantee the accu-

racy, completeness, efficacy, timeliness,

or correct sequencing of such informa-

tion.  Use of the paper and the views

expressed in it is voluntary, and reliance

on it should only be undertaken after

an independent review of its accuracy,

completeness, efficacy, and timeliness,

and based on the individual facts and

circumstances of a user.

StAnley KAufmAn, Ph.D. is prin-

cipal of Cablesafe inc. and a consul-

tant to the Communications Cable and

Connectivity association (CCCa; www.

cccassoc.org). He is a member of nEC

Panel 12 (responsible for article 645)

and Panel 16 (responsible for optical

fiber and communications cables).