Hi Apostolis. The cable that connects the fire curtain to the box that controls it needs to be fire-proof, no matter if the box has a battery or not. This is because the cable needs to stay strong and working even if there is fire around it. The cable also needs to be away from other wires to avoid any problems or damage. One of the places that says this is a document from Coopers Fire, a company that makes fire curtains and smoke curtains. The doc says that their fire curtains follow the rules of BS 8524-1:2013, which is a British rule for fire curtains that can move up and down. The doc also says that their fire curtains have a special system that makes sure they go down safely even if there is no power.

Hi AMK

Maybe I dod not explain well.

I am interested in the cable from the local DB to the fire curtain contraol panel.

I have never seen a fire rated cable from the DB to the fire curtain control panel.

I am wondering if this is correct and why

Thanks

I am pretty sure that like so many regs things 'it depends' Of course if the fire curtains can be set or better still drop to a safe state without power, we do not need to worry about the cable to the box of buttons. Much like maintained lighting can rely on its batts for the duration of the emegancy, Also does the cable in question pass through the region where fire or smoke would be contained if the curtain operates. If it is outside all protected zones then maybe not. We do not generally consider the DNO cables buried to need fie protestation.

Mapj1 I am not referring to the DNO cables. I am talking about the local DB cable to the fire curtain.

Yes, by default and regulations all vertical fire curtains fall safe under gravity

My understanding is that the battery in the fire curtains is just to avoid nuisance dropping of the fire curtain in case of power cut. Aside this, a battery is not required by the regulations.

Cheers

I’m not sure but I think you should use a fire rated cable for the supply to the fire curtain control panel, just like you would for a fire alarm panel. Maybe check BS 7671 chapter 56 (safety services) for more details.

Might be worth looking at something like FP200 which is a fire rated cable to see if it match your spec?.  Consideration needs also be applied to the cable route, cable fixings and the re-instatment of fire barriers.  The cable should be glanded at the CU/DB (Consumer Unit/Distribution Board) as a mnimum then any penatrations should be re-sealed with intumescent sealant/mastic like fire mate. 

BS8519: 2020 requires smoke control curtains (which I presume is also what you mean by "fire curtain") to be Category 2: -

2) Category 2: means of escape (60 min fire survival time); category 2 cables should be one of
the following:
• power cables meeting the 60 min survival time when tested in accordance with BS 8491; or
• control cables having a fire survival time of 60 min when tested in accordance with
BS EN 50200:2015, and the 120 min survival time when tested in accordance with
BS 8434‑2 (core sizes up to and including 4 mm2 cross-sectional area), excluding 3-phase
power circuits.

regards, burn